Was watching this one for awhile. Seems like it went pretty cheap. Did anyone on here snag it? Kinda wishing now I had been more serious about it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/252322911335?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
These are tricky. The reference is actually wrong on that one. That is a 165.027. 166.027 indicates a date function and would be cal 565. I can't read the case back in that picture, but if it does say 166 then something is fishy. Naturally the 166.027 fetches a higher premium since it has the extra complication. The price on these has had a lot of wiggle room lately. I sold one last year for a little more than that auction but it was the 166.027 with date. I would say that price is above what I would pay for the no date variety. I'm also not totally sold on that bezel. Replacement bezels for these are essentially unobtanium. That one is almost in too good to be true condition. And you know how that saying goes. The presence of a bracelet also greatly influenced the price of these 120's. For the reasons above I would say you were best to avoid this one. Not to mention the not so attractive movement. Keep your eyes open. They come up from time to time.
Great feedback. I agree something felt "wrong" about it. I didn't really intend to buy it otherwise i would have come and asked for feedback first. My research couldn't find the 550 movement in that case without the date function. I did however find the 565 cal. Figured the bezel was a replacement. As always love the wealth of knowledge on this site.
X350 XJR is correct. The original bezel has a 4 sided 4, not triangular like this. This bezel is a service replacement at best.
And that bezel is way too bright. The original one was matte BTW, the second hand in the example is wrong.
As long as we are on the subject and I'm trying to learn more about the vintage 300 and 120 models. How much smaller are the 120's than the 300s? Seems like several I've seen have 37-39mm bezels.
There were both 32mm and 37mm versions of the 120. Yet another reason to take care when choosing which example to bid on. The 37mm version fetches a much higher premium. The 32mm version also houses a cal 670. Also, the seconds hand could be correct. They did not all have the luminous tip seconds hand like the above photo.
The case back quite clearly says 166.027, so it looks like a put-together watch. The balance bridge doesn't seem to belong either - different colour and should say OXG on it.
Same seller out of Artesia California that's sold horrors like http://www.ebay.com/itm/252267815193Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.com/itm/301831226173Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Other known usernames include oldtime6616 aaawatch11 qqvintage99 You did well to avoid
When considering a vintage diver SM120, there are 4 original 37mm to choose from Ref 135.027 manual no date Ref 136.027 manual with date Ref 165.027 auto no date Ref 166.027 auto with date In all 4 references, the case should have a notch under the bezel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position. Modern replacement cases lack this notch.
Interesting! This I didn't know. Now I have to go look at pictures of my old one and see if I missed anything. It's long gone in either case so I suppose it matters little.
One of unlimited number of reasons I love this place! @gemini4 thanks for the great info share on the "notch", I would be lying if I said I didn't run to the safe asap and check my 136.027, happy to report, after catching my breath I have "notches". Cheers and thank you, had never heard that fact before.
You're very welcome. Taking this one step further, here's what to avoid. Unfortunately, I didn't know this when early on, I picked up a "bargain" 166.027 for $500 . Modern replacement glossy bezel with incorrect 4. Case is missing a notch. No notch. Incorrect crown.