Up for Sale: A Killer Dive Watch for Under $500 and More Vintage Timepieces

This week in Found, our weekly roundup of cool vintage and pre-owned watches from around the internet, we’ve got a perfectly sized Bulova diver, a Rolex Explorer II with a fantastic patinated dial, and a super fun and sporty chronograph from Tissot.

The Affordable Option: Bulova Oceanographer 333ft. Diver

Photo: Derek Dier

What We Like: This vintage Oceanographer from Bulova nails all the details: a clean, legible dial and bezel; a perfectly sized case at 37.5mm; and a handsome, timeless aesthetic. For $500, this mechanical diver is a perfect entry into the sometimes overwhelming world of vintage tool watches. And it comes on a matching strap, to boot!

From the Seller: There is some wear on the edge of the bezel near the crown, but is less visible with the naked eye. The Bulova manual-winding movement is accurate after a very recent cleaning.

The Icon: 1990 Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570

Photo: Lunar Oyster

What We Like: It’s tough to argue with the Rolex Explorer II. Featuring the same GMT complication found in the brand’s GMT Master (but using a fixed 24-hour bezel), the Explorer II is a tool watch through and through. This one features a white dial with gorgeous patination due to the fading of its original tritium lume plots. Keep in mind that the hands have been relumed to match the bezel, but if you’re not terribly concerned about resale value, we say: who cares.

From the Seller: E serial number circa 1990 production. Excellent vintage condition case with thick and even lugs and crown guards. Clear numbers. Dial is original, white with very attractive creamy yellow patina. Hands are original but have been relumed to match the patina on dial.

The Curveball: Tissot Chronograph PR-615

Photo: Cool Vintage Watches

What We Like: You might find a more interesting vintage watch for this kind of money somewhere buried in the corner of the internet…but we kind of doubt it. This vintage Tissot chronograph from the late 1960s simply oozes cool, with a multi-colored dial, futuristic handset, tachymeter bezel and a mechanical movement from famed Swiss manufacturer Lemania.

From the Seller: Late 1960’s Swiss Tissot Chronograph. Original multi colored dial. Heavy all-steel case with a screw back is in very nice condition. Lemania 17 jewel cal. manual wind movement. Sports a 19mm fine leather strap.

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