Seiko Champion

Although I’ve been taking a break from posting for the past few months, I’ve still been trolling eBay and other watch auction sites, looking for deals. Here are a few interesting items I’ve noted during that time.

First, since I purchased a vintage Felca a while back and have enjoyed the watch, I’ve kept my eye out for the brand. Expecting mostly low to mid level prices, I blinked when this 1960’s Felca “Seascoper” auto diver watch sold for US$605! Built using the “SuperCompressor” case of the time, similar to other high-quality divers, it’s still a lot of change to see pass hands for this brand.



While I’m on the topic of Swiss brands, another one I keep my eye out for is Favre-Leuba. This is a storied brand, with several technical innovatiuons such as being the first to incorporate an actual mechanical depth meter into a diver watch. Since then the brand died, then was revived again as a “new” old brand. Some of their current watches are nice, but it’s not regained the luster as a brand that it used to have.



One if the issues with vintage Favre-Lebua watches on eBay is that most of the stuff for sale is re-dialed. And a lot if it poorly re-dialed! Original good condition examples can be found, but you have to be careful you don’t unknowingly end up with a re-dial. If unsure, ask!

First up, here is a nice condition black Duomatic that went for US$154, and a white twin rotor Geneve that went for US$115.





The bargain of the batch at US$75, and one that my low-ball bid missed, was the Sea King in typical white. If you like basic good Swiss watches of the era, this would have been a great purchase.



Starting along the other side of the budget spectrum, the Deep Blue diver watch from Favre-Leuba is well known and well regarded. Although not near the top priced models, good condition models still demand a premium, and this 21 jewel caliber FL1153 example in almost mint shape, at US$290 was actually a reasonable bargain for the buyer.



The more futuristic (at least for the 70s) looking Moon Raider in slightly dirty and roughed up shape went for US$255. I find it interesting for it’s fiberglass back.





The “lessons” from this batch, are that you should check for re-dials when a deal looks too good to be true, especially for certain brands known for it. Also that good condition rarer watches that have a following still command a premium