The highly anticipated "eBay Finds" series, a bi-weekly feature highlighting noteworthy watches available on the online marketplace, has officially made its return. Curated by editor Christoph McNeil, known to his Instagram followers as @vintagediver, this installment delves into a diverse selection of vintage timepieces that have captured his discerning eye. This edition showcases a remarkable collection, ranging from corporate award watches to iconic pilot and dive chronographs, each offering a unique glimpse into horological history and collectible appeal. Readers are encouraged to submit their own discovered treasures to [email protected] for potential inclusion in future features.
Vintage Omega: A Legacy of Recognition and Craftsmanship
This week’s featured vintage Omega is a compelling example of a corporate award watch, a category that often blends horological quality with personal history. The timepiece features a classic 35mm steel case, characterized by slim, straight lugs that appear to be in crisp, unpolished condition, suggesting careful preservation. The rear of the case bears an engraved dedication for 25 years of service with the Dow Chemical Company, dated 1976, adding a significant layer of provenance.
The dial presents a timeless Omega silver aesthetic, complemented by slender steel markers and hands. A practical day/date complication resides at the 3 o’clock position. What makes this particular Omega stand out is the inclusion of the Dow Chemical logo on the dial, a relatively uncommon feature for Omega presentation watches, further enhancing its collectibility. The watch is equipped with its original Omega-signed crown, a hallmark of authenticity. According to the seller, the Omega automatic caliber 1022 movement within is clean and functioning well, promising reliable performance. This particular Omega transcends mere timekeeping, serving as a tangible artifact of corporate loyalty and individual dedication.
The practice of awarding watches for service milestones has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 20th century when watches were considered symbols of prestige and achievement. Companies like Dow Chemical, a global leader in materials science, often used such gifts to acknowledge long-serving employees, fostering a sense of appreciation and company pride. The year 1976, when this watch was awarded, was a period of significant economic activity and corporate growth in many sectors, making such presentations a common practice. The inclusion of a company logo on the dial itself was a more direct form of branding, ensuring the recipient was always reminded of their employer’s recognition.
Vintage Hamilton Thin-O-Matic: A Masterpiece of 1960s Design
Following the Omega, the collection highlights a vintage Hamilton Thin-O-Matic Masterpiece from 1964, another distinguished award watch. The 10k yellow gold-filled case is noted for its pleasing, unpolished appearance and slender lugs, embodying the sleek design sensibilities of the mid-1960s. The caseback features an engraving commemorating 25 years of service to Nationwide Insurance, mirroring the theme of professional recognition seen in the previous Omega.
The watch boasts a clean, gold-colored dial with applied gold markers, eschewing a date complication for a more minimalist aesthetic. A significant aspect of this offering is its completeness; it includes both the inner and outer boxes, as well as all original paperwork, including instructions and guarantee papers. The watch is fitted with a Kreisler stretch band, which appears to be original, further evidenced by accompanying instruction and guarantee papers specifically for the band – a rarity that adds considerable value and historical interest. While movement images are not provided, the seller reports that the watch is running well, suggesting a well-maintained mechanism. This Hamilton represents an exceptional "full-kit" piece, offering collectors an almost complete historical package.
The Hamilton Watch Company, founded in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1892, established a reputation for producing reliable and well-crafted timepieces. The Thin-O-Matic line, introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s, was celebrated for its slim profile, made possible by innovative automatic movements. The year 1964 marked a period when automatic watches were becoming increasingly sophisticated and popular. Nationwide Insurance, a prominent American insurance company, would have likely chosen a Hamilton for its perceived quality and dependable performance, aligning with their own corporate values of trust and reliability. The inclusion of specific documentation for the stretch bracelet is a testament to the era’s attention to detail in product presentation and customer information.
Vintage Bulova 1963 Accutron: A Leap into Electronic Horology
The collection then transitions to a significant piece of horological innovation: a vintage Bulova Accutron from 1963, powered by the revolutionary caliber 214 tuning fork movement. The 35mm round steel case is described as excellent, sharp, and unpolished, featuring the distinctive stubby lugs characteristic of early Accutrons. A notable design feature of the Accutron is its unique caseback, which houses the battery hatch and a flip-up lever for time adjustment, eliminating the need for a conventional side crown.
The dial is a sophisticated gold or champagne hue, presenting a clean face with faceted applied steel markers. The absence of a date window contributes to its uncluttered appearance. The watch is currently fitted with a Speidel stretch bracelet, which, while perhaps not to everyone’s taste, could be easily swapped for a leather strap to achieve a different aesthetic. The seller confirms that the caliber 214 tuning fork movement is functioning correctly. The Bulova Accutron represents a pivotal moment in watchmaking history, moving away from traditional mechanical escapements towards electronic timekeeping.
The Accutron’s development began in the late 1950s, with the first models hitting the market in 1960. The caliber 214, introduced in 1961, was groundbreaking. Instead of a balance wheel and hairspring, it utilized a tiny, precisely tuned vibrating fork powered by a transistorized circuit. This resulted in unparalleled accuracy for its time, losing or gaining only about a minute per month, compared to the several minutes per day that mechanical watches might lose. The "tuning fork" technology was so advanced that it was even used in the NASA Apollo space program. The year 1963 marks an early period for this technology, making this Accutron a particularly desirable piece for collectors interested in the history of electronic watches.
Vintage Glycine Airman: A Pilot’s Watch of Distinction
The Glycine Airman, a watch originally designed for military pilots, is a significant entry in this selection, particularly given its rarity in good condition. This particular example is described as being in excellent shape, with an unpolished steel case and a 24-hour bezel showing minimal wear. The black dial features nicely aged luminous material, a characteristic sought after by collectors, and an outer 24-hour track designed for tracking multiple time zones, a crucial feature for aviators. A date window is present at the 3 o’clock position, and the original acrylic crystal includes an internal magnifier for the date display.
A unique functional element of the Airman is the second crown located at the 4 o’clock position, which is used to lock the bezel in place, preventing accidental movement. The overall condition is deemed excellent for this scarce pilot’s watch. Remarkably, this example comes complete with its original wooden box and the original receipt from Glycine, dated 1969, adding substantial historical context and collectible value. While no movement pictures are available, the listing’s video clearly demonstrates the watch ticking smoothly, indicating proper operation.
Glycine, a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1914, developed the Airman model in the mid-1950s in response to the growing needs of military and commercial aviation. The watch quickly gained popularity among pilots due to its robust construction, clear legibility, and the innovative 24-hour display. The ability to track UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) or a second time zone was essential for navigation and flight planning, especially during military operations. The year 1969, the date of the included receipt, was a period of significant advancements in aviation, including the continued exploration of space and the ongoing development of commercial air travel. The inclusion of the original wooden box and receipt elevates this Airman from a mere timepiece to a historical artifact, offering a direct connection to its original ownership and the era of its creation.
Vintage Omega Seamaster: A Later Model Cushion Case Gem
This featured Omega Seamaster represents a later model, characterized by a square cushion-style steel case and an integrated steel bracelet. The 35mm steel case is described as superb, remaining unpolished with sharp edges and retaining its original mix of brushed and polished finishes. The watch is fitted with the original "hi-hat" style acrylic crystal, identifiable by a subtle Omega symbol in its center.
The silver dial is clean and features applied steel stick markers and hands. A day/date window is positioned at 3 o’clock. The original crown is subtly recessed and bears the Omega symbol. The integrated steel bracelet is also noted for its excellent condition, with the buckle similarly signed. While there are no movement pictures, the seller reports that the Omega automatic caliber 1020 movement is running well. The Seamaster line, introduced in 1948, is Omega’s longest-running collection, renowned for its robust construction and water resistance. Later models, like this cushion-cased example, often showcase design evolutions that appeal to collectors seeking distinct aesthetics.
The Omega caliber 1020 automatic movement, likely found in this Seamaster, is a reliable workhorse often found in Omega watches from the 1970s. It typically features a quick-set day and date function, making it practical for everyday wear. The integrated bracelet design, popular in the 1970s, offered a seamless transition from case to bracelet, creating a cohesive and often sporty look. The presence of the Omega symbol on the crystal, a detail often referred to as the "Omega O-ring" or "Omega Medallion Crystal," is a desirable feature for collectors seeking originality. The square cushion case, while perhaps less common than the round variants, offers a distinctive visual appeal that sets it apart.
Vintage Bulova "666" Surfboard: A Coveted Dive Chronograph
The final highlight of this "eBay Finds" installment is a highly sought-after vintage Bulova 666ft "Surfboard" dial chronograph diver. The "Surfboard" dial is widely regarded as one of the most aesthetically pleasing chronograph dive watch designs. The watch features a large steel cushion case that is clean, with sharp edges and its original brushed finish. The aluminum countdown diver’s bezel has faded to a desirable "ghost bezel" patina, a characteristic that many collectors actively seek.
The dial and hands are described as clean with a touch of patina, adding to the watch’s vintage charm. The crown is signed with the Bulova Accutron symbol, though it is noted as a service replacement, as the original would have been marked "Bulova" in smaller text. While no movement pictures are provided, the seller states that the watch was serviced this year and is running and working properly. It is presumed to house a Valjoux 7733 manual-wind movement, a common and robust caliber for chronographs of this era.
The Bulova "666" reference, named for its water resistance rating of 666 feet (approximately 200 meters), was produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These watches were designed for diving and featured robust cases, rotating bezels, and chronograph functions for timing dives or other events. The "Surfboard" dial, characterized by its distinctive shape and often colorful subdials, is particularly popular among collectors. The Valjoux 7733 movement is a highly regarded manual-wind chronograph caliber known for its reliability and ease of service, making it a favored choice for many vintage watch manufacturers. The faded "ghost bezel" is a result of UV exposure and time, a natural aging process that adds unique character and value to vintage dive watches. The presence of a service-replacement crown, while not original, indicates that the watch has likely been maintained and is in working order. This Bulova represents a prime example of a collectible vintage dive chronograph with significant historical appeal.
