What Stowa do I have here?

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

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.

 

Posts

8,098

Likes

28,531

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:

 

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

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.

 

Posts

8,098

Likes

28,531

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.

 

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

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.

 

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

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😀

 

Posts

8,098

Likes

28,531

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.

 

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

 

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

Danwales

·Aug 25, 2022

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

 

Posts

749

Likes

1,790

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.

 

IMG_20220826_143543_865.jpg - 127.9 KB