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JohnBaker3 · 10 May 2015, 02:52 AM

Hey Guys:

I love the dive-watch genre and my best watch is a ROLEX 5513 c 1970....

However, because of limited finances, I started reading up on other brands.

That's when I ran across a great article on HODINKEE about the ZODIAC SEA WOLF. I picked up 2 in short order at reasonable prices and sorted out any minor issues they had....they have lots of variations and are pretty easy to work on...

I also found a HELBROS diver that was really interesting; it's a full 39 mm vs the 35.5 for the ZODIACs.

Life is good!

locutus49 · 10 May 2015, 02:55 AM

Squale. Oris.

Tudor66 · 10 May 2015, 02:57 AM

Great collection, I used to collect inexpensive dive watches, I picked this up at a flea market years ago, and gave it away to a friend:

davidoxman · 10 May 2015, 03:04 AM

Oris are great and my choice however more affordable are Seiko again great dive watches

Lgear080 · 10 May 2015, 03:24 AM

I'll post my bag full in a little!

JohnBaker3 · 10 May 2015, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudor66

Great collection, I used to collect inexpensive dive watches, I picked this up at a flea market years ago, and gave it away to a friend:

AL:

Nice looking watch; hope your friend appreciates it!

Instead of a "pearl" at the top of the bezel, there is a drilled out spot. I imagine that is was originally orange or red. I used a drop of Testors red enamel an it looks great!

Tudor66 · 10 May 2015, 12:51 PM

Great idea John. In the past I had bought so many watches like this helbros. In the end, I was drawn into Heuer, omega and of course Rolex. I haven't looked back, but your pictures bring back good memories of garage sale and flea market hunting for vintage divers...

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

AL:

Nice looking watch; hope your friend appreciates it!

Instead of a "pearl" at the top of the bezel, there is a drilled out spot. I imagine that is was originally orange or red. I used a drop of Testors red enamel an it looks great!

bayerische · 10 May 2015, 05:29 PM

Like them both!

SearChart · 10 May 2015, 06:33 PM

Wow John that Helbros is really cool!

Congrats

jjnd08 · 10 May 2015, 09:56 PM

Very cool!

If I was going to get a dive watch though, it would be a Tudor.

Touring · 11 May 2015, 09:56 AM

A Seiko Tuna - Darth or the new Spring Drive release.

JohnBaker3 · 14 May 2015, 10:52 PM

Hey Guys:

Some great stories but PICTURES are where it's at......

Please post some photos of your great finds!

brandrea · 14 May 2015, 10:59 PM

Tudor or Seiko

JohnBaker3 · 14 May 2015, 11:42 PM

Hey Guys:

If you are interested in some older SEIKO Dive Watches, then you might want to check out this site....

http://www.ebay.com/sch/jfm_watches/...p2047675.l2562

It is out of The Philippines, and can take several weeks to get a watch delivered; I have gotten 2 from him and the watches are what they claim them to be...

Be safe.

Judah · 15 May 2015, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjnd08

Very cool!

If I was going to get a dive watch though, it would be a Tudor.

Charles Ford · 16 May 2015, 02:37 PM

I bought this model Zodiac Sea Wolf in 1967 on a Navy Ship when I was in the Marines.

I won some money in a card game and went to the ship's store and bought this model for $120. The were selling Rolex Subs 5513s, there also for $180. I actually like the looks of the Zodiac more then the Sub, and I thought I would save the $60 and come out way ahead. Boy was I wrong

The Zodiac is long gone, and if I would have bought and kept the Sub, I believe it's worth close to $15K now.

bobafett · 25 April 2020, 04:50 AM

My 1966-67 Helbros Skin Diver keeps perfect time after all these years.

10 May 2015, 02:52 AM	#1
JohnBaker3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: John Baker III Location: Spring,Texas Watch: 1971 Red Sub Posts: 2,222	Non-Rolex Dive Watches Hey Guys: I love the dive-watch genre and my best watch is a ROLEX 5513 c 1970.... However, because of limited finances, I started reading up on other brands. That's when I ran across a great article on HODINKEE about the ZODIAC SEA WOLF. I picked up 2 in short order at reasonable prices and sorted out any minor issues they had....they have lots of variations and are pretty easy to work on... I also found a HELBROS diver that was really interesting; it's a full 39 mm vs the 35.5 for the ZODIACs. Life is good! Attached Images __________________ As I've grown older, I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing off everyone is a piece of cake.

10 May 2015, 02:57 AM	#3
Tudor66 "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Real Name: Al Location: California, USA Watch: GMT- Pepsi Posts: 3,462	nice Great collection, I used to collect inexpensive dive watches, I picked this up at a flea market years ago, and gave it away to a friend: Attached Images __________________ -NAWCC Member

10 May 2015, 05:29 PM	#8
bayerische "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Real Name: Andreas Location: Margaritaville Watch: Smurf Posts: 19,880	Like them both! __________________ Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

14 May 2015, 10:52 PM	#12
JohnBaker3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: John Baker III Location: Spring,Texas Watch: 1971 Red Sub Posts: 2,222	Hey Guys: Some great stories but PICTURES are where it's at...... Please post some photos of your great finds! Attached Images __________________ As I've grown older, I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing off everyone is a piece of cake.

14 May 2015, 11:42 PM	#14
JohnBaker3 "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Real Name: John Baker III Location: Spring,Texas Watch: 1971 Red Sub Posts: 2,222	Hey Guys: If you are interested in some older SEIKO Dive Watches, then you might want to check out this site.... http://www.ebay.com/sch/jfm_watches/...p2047675.l2562 It is out of The Philippines, and can take several weeks to get a watch delivered; I have gotten 2 from him and the watches are what they claim them to be... Be safe. __________________ As I've grown older, I've learned that pleasing everyone is impossible, but pissing off everyone is a piece of cake.

10 May 2015, 02:55 AM	#2
locutus49 Banned Join Date: May 2014 Real Name: John Location: La Jolla, CA Watch: Platona Posts: 12,193	Squale. Oris.

10 May 2015, 03:04 AM	#4
davidoxman "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Leicester Watch: Rolex OP Posts: 101	Oris are great and my choice however more affordable are Seiko again great dive watches

10 May 2015, 03:24 AM	#5
Lgear080 Banned Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 3,505	I'll post my bag full in a little!

10 May 2015, 09:56 PM	#10
jjnd08 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: United States Posts: 8,616	Very cool! If I was going to get a dive watch though, it would be a Tudor.

11 May 2015, 09:56 AM	#11
Touring 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Hoth Posts: 1,243	A Seiko Tuna - Darth or the new Spring Drive release.

14 May 2015, 10:59 PM	#13
brandrea 2025 Rolex SubTT Bluesy Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Real Name: Brian (Mickey) Location: canada Watch: es make me smile Posts: 83,528	Tudor or Seiko

16 May 2015, 02:37 PM	#16
Charles Ford "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Arizona Watch: 67' Zodiac Seawolf Posts: 82	I bought this model Zodiac Sea Wolf in 1967 on a Navy Ship when I was in the Marines. I won some money in a card game and went to the ship's store and bought this model for $120. The were selling Rolex Subs 5513s, there also for $180. I actually like the looks of the Zodiac more then the Sub, and I thought I would save the $60 and come out way ahead. Boy was I wrong The Zodiac is long gone, and if I would have bought and kept the Sub, I believe it's worth close to $15K now.

25 April 2020, 04:50 AM	#17
bobafett "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles Watch: 1967 5513 Posts: 36	My 1966-67 Helbros Skin Diver keeps perfect time after all these years.

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