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.
Citizen CQ Crystron Diver
Welcome to the all-divers edition of eBay Finds! It’s not often I find one or two decent divers to bring you, but this week there is a cornucopia of divers. We’ll start off with this awesome vintage Citizen CQ Cryston diver. Yes, it’s quartz, but it’s a cool quartz watch! The smallish steel case is in nice shape, looking unpolished with sharp edges and nicely preserved crown guards protecting the unsigned crown. The elapsed time bezel insert is in good shape as well. The black dial is excellent, as are the unique hands. The hour hand has a paddle shape that really stands out. There is of course a day/date window at three, with a Kanji day wheel. The watch comes on the original rubber strap with original signed buckle, which is a rare find. No pictures of the quartz movement, but the watch runs well per the seller. Great vintage Citizen!
Vintage Waltham Diver
Next up is this classic vintage 1960s Waltham diver. I’ve owned one of these before, and they are definitely well made. The steel case is excellent and unpolished, with crisp lugs and original brushed finish on the caseback. The seller doesn’t state the size, but it should be 37mm according to my records of the one I used to own. The black dial has nice applied steel hour markers and broad steel hands. The dial has a horizontal textured strip across the middle between 3 and 9 o’clock. The big red second hand completes the look. The winding crown at 3 o’clock is signed with the “W” logo as it should be. There is a solid aluminum elapsed time bezel in really nice shape. The watch is powered by a simple but robust 17 jewel manual wind movement that is clean and runs well per the seller. Slap a new strap on this one and you’re ready to go!
Vintage Zodiac Super Seawolf
The diver parade continues with this fantastic vintage Zodiac Super SeaWolf. The SeaWolf diver has been around since the 1950s, and this model is a later iteration from the 1970s. The Super SeaWolf has a large 42mm steel case that is a sort of oval/round shape, with a gorgeous acrylic insert diver bezel that sits below the elevated steel ring around the mineral crystal. The case is in good condition, but there are some dings and marks from use, typical of a diver that was not a safe queen. The black dial is a beauty, with perfectly patinated lume hour makers. The unique hands have lume to match. The screw-down crown is unsigned but original I believe. The watch even comes on the original steel bracelet with Zodiac signed buckle, a rare find. There is no movement picture, but it is running and quickset date functions too. Nice big chunky 70s diver!
Vintage Timex Electric Diver
Here’s a fun one, a vintage Timex Electric diver. The chrome plated case is superb, with no pitting or wear through on the plating, with nice sharp edges and original brushed/polished finish. The black dial has applied metal crosshairs for that sporty look. Bright white hands with lume plots and a bright orange second hand. No date window. The countdown bezel is plastic and in surprisingly good condition. These early electronic movements are a neat footnote in horological history, appearing for only a brief time. They are a little finicky, but run well when operational. The watch comes on a vintage rubber rally style diver strap, which considering the overall condition could very well be original! Great fun piece that shouldn’t be too pricey.
Vintage Bulova Snorkel “Devil Diver”
Next diver up is this classic vintage Bulova Snorkel 666ft. This is one of Bulova’s best looking divers I think, and it came with a black dial or a silver dial. This silver dial version is really clean and crisp. The 35mm steel case is unpolished with sharp edges. Even the ballerina caseback medallion is in stunning shape. The dial looks original and in great shape, with nicely aged lume. The lume in the steel dauphine hands looks like it may have been redone, but I could be wrong. I’ve seen many original divers with a disparity in the color of the hands and dial lume. Either way, the watch looks sharp. The elapsed time diver bezel is in fantastic condition, with almost no wear. This is rare as these are usually fairly worn in my experience. The acrylic crystal is original, with the correct internal date magnifier window. The crown is original and signed with the Bulova logo as it should. The Bulova caliber 11ALACD automatic movement is super clean, and is serviced and running well per the seller. These Snorkels are highly sought after by vintage diver fans, and this example is about as clean as you’re likely to find.
Vintage Wakmann Chronograph Diver
Going to wrap up the vintage diver festival this week with this big and bold vintage Wakmann chrono-diver. The 40mm steel case is excellent and looks sharp and unpolished. The dial is blue with a white outer tachymeter track, and dual chronograph registers that are blue and outlined in white as well. The dial looks mint, as do all the hands. The near mint elapsed time bezel is large, and really makes the watch stand out. The crown is unsigned, but it looks original to me. Overall this watch presents with a colorful look that really stands out, especially given the 40mm size. The watch is powered by a Valjoux 236 manual wind movement that is clean and is serviced and runs well per the seller. This is a fantastic looking chrono-diver that has an excellent movement. I love watches like this at auction, because oftentimes the fact that this is an “off-brand” piece means that it will go for considerably less than a more famous brand.
Christoph McNeill
2026-05-22 20:00:00