What Stowa do I have here?

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Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

I have acquired an old Stowa skin diver but what exactly have I got? Yes its a Seatime but I cannot find another with a coated case and a plastic bezel? Could it be an early fake? Any info appreciated.

 

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Tony C.

·Aug 25, 2022·Ωf Jury member

Seatime was a successful model of divers produced by Stowa during the '60s. The one that you show is a very uncommon variation, and I question the originality of the hands. It is also a chrome-topped version, while the vast majority were full steel.

Could yours be a real dial, but incorrect case and bezel? It's possible.

Here is a typical vintage example:

 

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Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

Hi Tony.

During my research I have found quite a few like the one you have shown. Its possible that this is some sort of Franken watch but not one that has been put together to dupe a collector or anything as it's clearly been used a lot since the possible changes were made. I have contacted Stowa to see if they can shed any light too.

 

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Tony C.

·Aug 25, 2022·Ωf Jury member

It's also possible that Stowa made a cheaper version at some point, and yours is an example.

 

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Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

Tony C.

It's also possible that Stowa made a cheaper version at some point, and yours is an example.

Movement picture.

 

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Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

Tony C.

It's also possible that Stowa made a cheaper version at some point, and yours is an example.

That Is a possibility too. Its solid enough but doesn't scream high quality. It's pretty rare whatever it is😀

 

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Tony C.

·Aug 25, 2022·Ωf Jury member

I believe that many of the typical Seatime employed PUW 1461 movements, like the one below. But if yours was produced later, different movements may have been used.

 

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Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

 

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Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

Found the above on an old forum thread. I believe this could well be a genuine example.

 

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Danwales

·Aug 26, 2022

So, no information from Stowa but from my research I believe this is a genuine example of a Stowa Seatime from the mid to late 70s. I think Stowa were possibly cutting corners and using cheaper materials in response to the quartz crisis.

 

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