Inexpensive vintage diver suggestions

[justjay82]

Hi all.

As the title suggests, I’m considering adding a vintage diver to my collection.

Here are some parameters to help get a sense of what I’m after:

I don’t want to spend a lot - a few hundred maybe.

Something with some history would be cool.

Mechanical - not interested in quartz.

What do you guys recommend?

[MILGAUSS88]

Seiko

[Old Expat Beast]

Caravelle divers from the 60s and 70s are also cool. Sub-brand of Bulova. There are usually some nice ones on eBay.

[shaunylw]

Seiko 6309, sub $500. As i search eBay for one to buy... thanks a lot, just what i needed. Another watch i can’t live without.


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[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Caravelle divers from the 60s and 70s are also cool. Sub-brand of Bulova. There are usually some nice ones on eBay.

Funny you should mention Caravelle, I just picked up 6 divers along with a couple of better divers

If I was going that direction I think I would chose the Bulova Devil Diver though.

[MILGAUSS88]

Another one I just picked up, the Zodiac Sea Wolf.
There are many variations, but this is the basic style I am thinking of.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Zod...p2047675.l2557

The come with a few different dials and bezels.

[justjay82]

Thanks!

Anyone have experience with Elgin divers?

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by justjay82

Thanks!

Anyone have experience with Elgin divers?

If I hadn't seen a really cool Elgin diver last week, I probably would have thought you were nuts.

When you listed history as one of your parameters, IMO that would exclude Elgin. (As far as diver watches go, not watch history in general.)

It brings up a question though.
Are you looking more for the vintage Submariner dial look?
Or are you looking more for a real diver watch?

Most "diver" watches in the sub $500 range do not have a screw down crown. Especially ones that have the cool 50's -60's black dial Sub look.

That is why I immediately threw out Seiko. They have screw down crowns on most diver watches. Not alot of other brands have this. There may be a few Aquadive or Aquastar watches in the sub $500 range with screw down crowns. Most are over $500.

Most of the vintage Swiss movements were of the same quality. None that really stand out on the good or bad side.

[justjay82]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

It brings up a question though.

Are you looking more for the vintage Submariner dial look?

Or are you looking more for a real diver watch?

This is a great question. I hadn’t really thought about it until you asked. I think a screw down crown model makes more sense.