eBay Finds is back! This bi-monthly installment will feature a selection of watches currently listed on eBay that have caught the eye of editor Christoph McNeil (@vintagediver). If you come across any hidden gems on the ‘Bay drop us a note at [email protected] for potential inclusion.
Vintage Timex Diver
Here’s a nice little vintage Timex diver to start us off this week. Timex has definitely had a resurgence of late with them re-issuing older models for that retro look. Their original vintage offerings were definitely on the…more affordable side. That said, they are still cool and have some classic cache if you ask me. This 1970’s diver style watch has a chrome plated case that looks to be in good shape, and a plastic bezel that looks great. The dial and hands have a nice design to them and they are in excellent condition as well. The watch is powered by an early Timex non-quartz electric movement that runs fine per the seller. Neat piece that should be affordable and fun to wear.
Vintage Seiko 7009-8109
Next up is a vintage Seiko 7009-8109, complete with original bracelet, box and papers. This is one of those everyday type Seikos, not really a dress watch and not really a sports watch, sort of an in betweener. The 37mm steel cushion case looks to be in nice shape, with some marks from aging but still showing the original brushed finish. The blue dial looks great, with simple stick markers and hands, and the always-present Seiko day/date window at three o’clock. The crystal is a faceted Hardlex mineral glass, which has some marks but overall looks pretty good. The original bracelet is included, as well as a spare parts bracelet for extra links if you have a big wrist. The watch also comes with inner and outer boxes and the instruction booklet and warranty booklet. Gotta love a vintage Seiko with all the goodies!
Vintage Caravelle “Devil Diver”
Here’s a great vintage diver from Caravelle, the sister company of Bulova. Like Bulova, Caravelle put out several “Devil Divers” with the famous 666ft depth rating. This is a cool model, with a classic 1970’s (1975 to be exact) cushion shaped case and recessed divers elapsed time bezel. The case is unpolished, with sharp edges and original finish, and the bezel is super clean. This is easily the cleanest example of this model I’ve ever seen. The dial is also cool, with a two-tone black fading to brown color and applied steel markers. The watch comes on a nice bracelet that is not original but still looks good. No movement pictures but the seller states the watch runs well and has been recently serviced. Great opportunity for a stellar example of a classic 1970’s diver.
Vintage Benrus Alarm
Here’s a really cool one, a vintage Benrus alarm watch. This watch looks very much like the Benrus “Bullitt” model made famous when Steve McQueen wore his in the movie Bullitt. While this watch looks like the Bullitt, the one worn in the movie was not an alarm model, just time only. However, this is still a wicked cool watch, and you can certainly try to pretend you’re as cool as Steve McQueen when you’re wearing it! The design is modeled after a Benrus military watch, with easy to read Arabic numerals and an inner 24 hour track. There is a fourth hand for setting the alarm, controlled by the second crown. The watch looks fresh out of an estate, needing perhaps a new crystal and to give it a good clean, but the seller states it runs well and the alarm works. Comes on a non-original but period correct JB Champion bracelet.
Vintage National Semiconductor LCD
Time for another nifty vintage LCD! This one is from National Semiconductor LCD. The seller states this is from the 1980s, but I’m sure it’s the 1970s. Either way, these National Semiconductor watches are always cool. The company wanted to take advantage of the LCD watch craze back in the day, and ended up producing several models. This example has a classic look, and is in excellent condition. Unpolished, with sharp edges and original brushed finish. The bracelet is likely original although it’s hard to tell from the pictures.
Vintage Dugena Chronograph
Last up this week is a nice, stylish vintage Dugena chronograph. The 36mm case is chrome plated with a steel back, and the chrome looks to be in really nice shape with no wear that I see. The white dial with black subdials at 3 and 9 give it that classic panda look. There is a date window at 6 o’clock which keeps the nice symmetry. The dial shows some patina, but nothing bad. The movement is a bit of a mystery as there is no picture and the seller does not state what model it is. Most likely a Valjoux or Landeron would be my guess. However the seller does state the watch runs and works properly. This could end up with a low price at the end of the auction, might be able to get a cool looking vintage chronograph for a steal!
Christoph McNeill
2025-10-24 19:00:00