eBay Treasures: Omega Classics, a Preserved Bulova, and More

Introduction

Welcome back to our bi-weekly eBay finds series, where we scour the online auction giant for timepieces that stand out for their design, history, or sheer value. This installment brings a mix of dress watches, divers, and chronographs, each with its own character and story. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer, these selections offer something intriguing.

Vintage Bulova Dress Watch

Our first pick is a charming vintage Bulova dress watch. At first glance, it might be mistaken for an Accutron due to its dial and hands, but it's actually an automatic model. The yellow gold-filled case features an intricately etched bezel that complements the radial brushed dial, giving it a subtle yet elegant shimmer. The case, dial, and hands are all in excellent condition, and it's a time-only piece with no date window. Inside, the automatic Bulova caliber 11ALAC movement is clean and runs well, according to the seller. It comes on a handsome leather strap that enhances its classic appeal. This is a great entry-level vintage piece that should fetch a reasonable price at auction.

Vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional

Next, we have a vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional that's sure to make a statement. Dating from the late 1970s to early 1980s, this example is likely a reference 144.022, though without caseback or movement photos, it's hard to confirm. The iconic case appears unpolished, with sharp edges on the bombe lugs, and the tachymeter bezel is in superb condition. The black dial is original and clean, with beautifully aged lume on the hour markers. It's powered by the manual-wind Omega caliber 861, a robust workhorse movement. The watch comes on its original steel bracelet with a signed buckle, though it appears one spring bar is missing—an easy fix. It also includes the original box and warranty booklet. This is about as clean a Speedmaster as you'll find on eBay, so if you're in the market, give it a long look.

Vintage Wittnauer Geneve Super Compressor

Another standout is a vintage Wittnauer Geneve Super Compressor diver. The EPSA Super Compressor cases were used by nearly 100 brands in two sizes: 36mm and 41mm. This example is the 36mm version, and it's one of the best-looking, with fat lugs featuring bold chamfers that give it a robust appearance. The black dial is clean and stylish, with aged lume hour markers and matching lume plots in the large steel hands. The crystal is original, complete with the correct internal date magnifier. The dual crowns are original, bearing both the EPSA cross-hatching and the Wittnauer 'W' logo. It comes on a modern beads-of-rice bracelet that looks sharp. The automatic Wittnauer movement is clean and runs well, per the seller. The starting price is high, but that's typical for a solid vintage Super Compressor.

Vintage Caravelle Sea Hunter Devil Diver

For dive watch enthusiasts, we have a vintage Caravelle Sea Hunter 'Devil Diver.' This model is highly collectible, so much so that Caravelle reissued it as a modern heritage piece. The steel case shows some wear but doesn't appear to be polished. At around 36mm, it features a classic skin diver case with a black aluminum elapsed-time bezel in great condition. The black dial is clean, with aged lume hour markers and Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9. No date window keeps the dial symmetrical. The lume-filled dauphine hands are a nice touch. It's powered by a robust Caravelle (Bulova) automatic movement, which the seller says runs well, though there are no movement photos. The signed crown with the Caravelle 'C' logo is original.

Rado Golden Horse

Next is a vintage Rado Golden Horse, a sporty watch with a design I've always admired. The classically styled steel case has large lugs and a deeply engraved double seahorse emblem on the caseback. The case appears unpolished, with some nicks from daily wear, as noted by the seller. The silver dial is clean, with applied steel markers and dauphine hands. There's an applied double seahorse logo above 6 o'clock and the rotating anchor logo below 12. A date window sits at 3, and the original acrylic crystal has an internal date magnifier. The signed crown bears the Rado logo. The automatic movement is clean and runs well. It comes with the original Rado beads-of-rice bracelet with a signed buckle, plus an extra vintage steel bracelet as a bonus. A great-looking piece!

Vintage Omega Constellation

We finish strong with a brilliant vintage Omega Constellation in solid 14k yellow gold. These vintage Constellations are true works of art, well-crafted and beautifully designed. This example has a 37mm solid gold case in superb condition, with the classic 'dog-leg' lugs. The observatory caseback logo is clear. The yellow gold dial is original and clean, with applied gold baton markers and dauphine hands. No date window preserves the dial's symmetry. The crown is signed with the Omega logo. Inside, the automatic Omega caliber 551 Chronometer-grade movement is clean and running well, per the seller. A superb vintage Omega in solid gold!

Buying Tips and Authenticity Notes

When shopping for vintage watches on eBay, always check seller ratings and ask for movement and caseback photos to verify authenticity. For models like the Speedmaster, confirm the reference number and movement caliber. Be wary of over-polished cases, which can diminish value. For Super Compressors, ensure the crowns are original and the case is unpolished. For gold watches, verify hallmarks and weight. Finally, factor in potential service costs when bidding.