Vintage Dive Watches

[OrneryOsprey]

Here the two watches currently owned and used everyday by me and my wife. They are two Seiko Diver's 150m, quartz version, bought by me and my father in 1976. The one with steel band was his own, my own was with the rubber band. Now I am using the steel band one, and my wife the one with rubber band.
Always been in use, more than 1200 dives each, only swapped the battery every 4-5 years.
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Close ups:
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Thanks for sharing those Seiko divers. They look like 7548s. They certainly tell a story, and I think they look perfect as-is. Every dive and moment in the sun made them fade to the way that they are today. Very nice.

 

[jadairiii]

Here is my Doxa Pro, USD logo. The bracelet is Doxa also, but from the new Professionals, directly from Doxa, I had a bunch of old USD catalogs and sent them scans so the hooked me up.

Technically, my Rolex Sub is also "vintage" since I bought it in 1983 and has been on my wrist since then, has become very "tropical".

 

[OrneryOsprey]

Here is my Doxa Pro, USD logo. The bracelet is Doxa also, but from the new Professionals, directly from Doxa, I had a bunch of old USD catalogs and sent them scans so the hooked me up.

Technically, my Rolex Sub is also "vintage" since I bought it in 1983 and has been on my wrist since then, has become very "tropical".View attachment 570532

Thanks for sharing this. Would love to see the Rolex as well.

Do you wear the Doxa often? I had a sub300 reissue for a bit before my dad claimed it. He loves that watch. Yours looks great! I have seen the new bracelets as well as the original expandros, and while I prefer the vintage bracelet, the modern version is probably far more secure!

 

[Angelo Farina]

Thanks for sharing those Seiko divers. They look like 7548s. They certainly tell a story, and I think they look perfect as-is. Every dive and moment in the sun made them fade to the way that they are today. Very nice.

Here the back of the one with steel band:

As you can see you was correct, it is a model 7548!

 

[OrneryOsprey]

Here the back of the one with steel band:
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As you can see you was correct, it is a model 7548!

Seiko is a great choice, and a personal favorite of mine! Here is one of mine, from 1975. I believe the previous owner used it for diving, but those days are long past.

 

[axluba]

Wow... wonderful pieces here..

I have an old 7005-8052 (dubbed poor man 62 mas) from 72 (I think) paid 60€ back in 2006... unfortunately I lost the bezel and now the prices have gone crazy..

I dive the new turtle... I’m hesitating on buying a skx009 before they become crazy too...

My girlfriend got a beautiful yema navygraph II from her father... I’m jealous

 

[OrneryOsprey]

Wow... wonderful pieces here..

I have an old 7005-8052 (dubbed poor man 62 mas) from 72 (I think) paid 60€ back in 2006... unfortunately I lost the bezel and now the prices have gone crazy..

I dive the new turtle... I’m hesitating on buying a skx009 before they become crazy too...

My girlfriend got a beautiful yema navygraph II from her father... I’m jealous

The 7005-8052 is a good one. Some were made for the Iranian military and have special dial and caseback markings indicating that they were issued.

The Navygraf sounds nice. Surely your girlfriend won’t mind sharing from time to time!

 

[jadairiii]

Thanks for sharing this. Would love to see the Rolex as well.

Do you wear the Doxa often? I had a sub300 reissue for a bit before my dad claimed it. He loves that watch. Yours looks great! I have seen the new bracelets as well as the original expandros, and while I prefer the vintage bracelet, the modern version is probably far more secure!

The Rolex has had a hard life. It was my primary dive timer from 1983 to about 2000. Lobster dives, tech dives, swims, free dives. As you can see, quite tropical. That watch has caught a lot of lobsters! I wear the sub every day. It is a 16800 Transitional, first Sub with the Sapphire crystal (I believe).

I dont wear the Doxa that much, just for fun once and awhile. Its hard to find a vintage Doxa with the original bracelet, they were not very well made. But being able to get a true Doxa rice bead reproduction bracelet was great. Just like the vintage but much stronger.

 

[OrneryOsprey]

The Rolex has had a hard life. It was my primary dive timer from 1983 to about 2000. Lobster dives, tech dives, swims, free dives. As you can see, quite tropical. That watch has caught a lot of lobsters! I wear the sub every day. It is a 16800 Transitional, first Sub with the Sapphire crystal (I believe).

I dont wear the Doxa that much, just for fun once and awhile. Its hard to find a vintage Doxa with the original bracelet, they were not very well made. But being able to get a true Doxa rice bead reproduction bracelet was great. Just like the vintage but much stronger.
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Your sub looks great. I prefer a nice tropics watch, especially when it is well earned. Lots of stories behind that Rolex.

I hear you about the original Doxa bracelets. I’ve had to resize mine before and it is a delicate operation. The new bracelets are well made, I just prefer the taper of the original, personally.