Hi gents, need some help on this. Appreciate any thoughts or comments!

Came across this vintage Sandoz military diver. It has the exact same look as a Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, especially the oversized bakelite bezel. Case measures 40mm without crown. Nice patina on the dial.

I've seen similar Fifty Fathoms look-alike from Waltham and LIP, but have never come across this. Anyone has any thoughts? Cheers!

 

The bezel is an aftermarket replacement, so non-original. It was even described as such in a recent eBay listing:

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/VINTAGE-DIV...vip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m43663.l44720Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

there are quite a few of those bezels making the rounds in ebay italy. not all are disclosed as custom, or better yet not original to the watch

 

thanks both for the comments. does seem like we all to be extra wary of these aftermarket bezels!

 

here's another one i believe

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/VETTA-MILIT...m=202455280182&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Wow too many popping up. Dial and overall configuration seems uncannily similar to the Sandoz one. So it seems like the watch is original but they fitted on a FF bezel to upsell these?

 

i don't know. and i could be wrong. but it just doesn't look right imo

 

As stated above - Franken. The seller(s) in Italy are fitting these re-production/custom bezels to about anything they will fit. There is generally a new listing as soon as the current sells. If you're buying because you LOVE the look, and don't mind dropping $1K or more, go for it. Obviously, also understanding what it is your buying. That being said, you likely won't re-coup your investment when you try and re-sell. Most serious collectors would not be interested.

 

sadly,...the stink smells awful from so many ebay italy sellers. from their high % of shilling/relist to flat out frank watches

 

here's another. beware!

https://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/Raro-Di...m-esclusa-corona-ghiera-Bakelite/173576188247Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

snatched up @ close to $1700 usd.

wouldn't be surprised in the hands and dial lume made a trip to the good dr as well. perfect aging and patina sells....i mean, why stop at a frank bezel?

present day 2018 i have a hard time believing any patina is real and not artificial. i certainly won't pay a premium for it

 

Amen.

 

there's even guys that can reproduce those bakelite bezels. if i had to guess most of these might be new, or built up from a not that damaged vintage one

 

these would sell even if the sellers came clean. but they neglect to do so

 

tempting though....

 

yeah that looks good (as in, aesthetically pleasing - not speaking to its authenticity)

Would this be the original setup:

 

indeed, that aside, how much would you have offer for it?

 

well, the trouble is, I would want to see photos of the watch from the side, tops, back, etc. I suspect that misplaced bezel is overhanging the case by several mm in all directions. Even in a photo from the front, you can barely see the crown - I suspect you have to wind the watch with a single finger rolling over the crown from behind, because the bezel makes it impossible to “pinch” the crown between two fingers. That being the case, I suspect this bezel may not look good or natural from the side, too, behind, etc.

 

I’d take it for $500-700. It’s a good looking piece.
As cvslue13 pointed out, winding it may be a challenge.

just saw asking price. A bit steep for what it is.