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 Omega Seamaster Chronograph
Ok, got a great one to start this week, a gorgeous vintage Omega Seamaster chronograph. This one dates to 1968 from the serial number on the movement. It has a tonneau style steel case that is 38mm wide, and is unpolished with nice crisp edges and the original brushed finish. Even the caseback Hippocampus medallion looks sharp. The original high dome acrylic crystal is in good shape, can’t see any cracks although it could use a polish. It is signed on the underside with the Omega logo as it should be. The reverse-panda three register dial is black with white subdials, and it looks to be perfect and original. White stick hands with lume and an orange sweep chono hand with black subdial hands complete the look. The large winding crown is also signed. This gem is powered by the famous and robust Omega caliber 861 movement, the same one used in the second generation of Omega Speedmasters. The movement is clean and runs and works well per the seller. The watch comes on the original bracelet, signed and in great shape. This watch is fabulous, and rare to see at auction.
Dot Matrix Seiko Digital Watch
This one was too cool to pass up, and it’s one I’ve never seen before despite my “Seikoholic” status. It’s a vintage Dot Matrix LCD digital watch from December 1980. The steel case is horizontal, with a wide black frame around the LCD screen. The numbers are displayed in a dot-matrix style and even scroll across the screen, ticker tape style! Very retro-futuristic look I think. The sleek steel bracelet is original and fits the look perfectly. The watch runs well and the screen appears to function fully and properly. This looks right out of some sci-fi movie and is sure to garner comments when worn!
Vintage Hamilton Masterpiece Thin-O-Matic
Next up is a classic vintage Hamilton Masterpiece Thin-o-Matic dress watch from 1970. The super slim 33mm gold plate case is in nice shape, looks like it could be lightly polished but not overly so. Definitely a little wrist-funk built up that needs to be cleaned off, but that’s not unusual. The silver dial is clean, with nice slim arrow markers and dauphine hands and no date window. The caseback is engraved with a presentation award for 25 years of service to Prestolite. The winding crown is signed with the Hamilton logo. The movement is really clean, and it’s a cool one. The Thin-o-Matic is thin because it uses a micro-rotor movement similar to those used in the Universal Geneve Polerouters. This one runs well per the seller. Great vintage dress watch with an innovative movement.
Vintage Jules Jurgensen Optcom 1
I found another unusual vintage LCD for this week, this vintage Jules Jurgensen Optcom 1. I mean, if the Seiko above is cool, then this one is super cool. It has a funky and chunky steel case that has a wild beveled design, and a gold frame around the simple LCD screen. The “Optcom 1” script at the top is an old computer style font that back then would’ve been so modern and now it just looks awesome. The watch comes on what has to be the original bracelet and it fits it perfectly. The watch really is in stellar condition, unpolished and it even has some possibly original stickers on the back. This is another kooky LCD that I’ve never seen before, and I love it. The seller states the watch runs fine, and it appears that all the LCD segments are functioning. Now, the starting price is pretty high, but I can’t say I blame the seller on this one.
Vintage Croton Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver
And here we have an example of the best named watch ever, the famous Croton Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver. They didn’t leave anything out on this one. Croton made a ton of variations of this watch over the years, with different dials, hands, bezels and even cases. This has the best case, I think, in a 38mm size with nice sharply beveled lugs. The dial looks like it was black, but is now a beautiful chocolate brown, with white subdials, and a white outer tachymetre track. The broad steel baton hands have large lume plots. The bezel has an aluminum elapsed time insert that is in good condition. These came with a variety of movements as well, some great and some just mid. This one happens to have a nice one, the workhorse Valjoux 7733 manual wind. It’s clean and runs well per the seller. Great example of the best named watch in the biz.
Vintage Seiko Sportsmatic 5
Last up is a really sweet vintage Seiko Sportsmatic 5 in great condition. It has a large 38mm steel case that looks unpolished. The large lugs have nice bevels to them, giving it a really strong look. The classic Seiko silver dial is clean, and has the classic Seiko steel baton markers with steel dauphine hands. There is of course the ubiquitous day/date window at 3 o’clock. This model has the recessed crown at 3:30, and a recessed button at 2:30 to advance the day if I’m not mistaken. Lots of photos, but sadly none of the movement. However, the seller states it is running and my experience with these Sportsmatics is that they are quite robust and can run forever. Really nice sporty Seiko that should be budget-friendly.
Christoph McNeill
2026-03-27 19:00:00