Sears Tradition “500” Diver EPSA case

Avarela · Dec 7, 2021

Hey there all. I am not too active here on Omega forums but was recommended to share this new addition to my watch box by a fellow member. Jwrosenthal

Anyway I have been slowly collecting and have a few Tradition divers and came across this beauty to add to the pile. Truly unique for several reasons. First off the condition which has always been my #1 rule in collecting anything. Is it the best example I’ve seen, if so then worth owning if not I usually will take a pass. The brand is Tradition which from what I’ve read at least was the Sears brand of watches sold back in the 1960s up until I don’t know. The lume appears to be original although not tritium I think since it has this greenish tint to it. Almost like a mint color. Manual wind A Schild movement winds effortlessly and keeps great time. I have yet to find any ads on this one to properly date it. If anyone has any info on it please do share here. On the the pictures! Enjoy and thanks in advance for any comments.

TexOmega · Dec 7, 2021

pre 1968 roughly, when they couldn't state "Waterproof"anymore

I like all I can see except the color of the lume.

Movement pictures would be great to see.

Dan S · Dec 7, 2021

Very interesting sweep hand.

JwRosenthal · Dec 7, 2021

I love these Tradition’s divers and it is very clear that they were pulling from the top shelf of the spec parts catalogs when they were ordering the designs (the purchasers for Sears). My watchmaker was totally impressed with the build quality on mine.

JwRosenthal · Dec 7, 2021

Oh- @Avarela - EPSA tended to stamp a date code inside the back, you may have one in there.
I had wondered if they were using EPSA cases. Although mine isn’t stamped EPSA (so it isn’t) it does have a “compressor” style 1/4 turn back. We all know the Heuer-Tradition connection and there was speculation in the original thread I posted on mine about Heuer (considering the T<25 placement on my dial) but that was debunked. I assume mine was made by Oris who was an OE supplier to Sears for other watches, but no confirmation of course.
I would love to see someone do a deep dive (pardon the pun) into the vendors who supplied the Sears jewelry and watch department, and possibly catalogs from which they were ordering. It is pretty clear that whomever was doing the ordering for Sears during the mid 60’s had an eye for quality within a price point and spec’d some pretty nice watches for their catalog.

Avarela · Dec 7, 2021

I never thought to consider that. The people making the orders for Sears very true what you say @JwRosenthal ill say it again when you’re ready to part with that tradition I’m your buyer!

I’ll have to see about popping off the caseback on this one but for now I’m just trying to find a cool bracelet for it. Would be killer on a oyster so I could pull off a cheap 1016 wannabe.

JwRosenthal · Dec 7, 2021

Avarela
I never thought to consider that. The people making the orders for Sears very true what you say @JwRosenthal ill say it again when you’re ready to part with that tradition I’m your buyer!

I’ll have to see about popping off the caseback on this one but for now I’m just trying to find a cool bracelet for it. Would be killer on a oyster so I could pull off a cheap 1016 wannabe.

The bracelet on mine is a period correct JB Champion. This happens to be identical to the Omega 1069 (same one that came on the Seamasters 120)…not a coincidence they are identical since omega contracted out to several makers
The lugs on mine measure 17.5mm so easy to find period JBC’s in that size in a multitude of styles.

Sears Tradition “500” Diver EPSA case

Avarela

TexOmega

Dan S

JwRosenthal

JwRosenthal

Avarela

JwRosenthal

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