Omega Dynamic 1970

The Dynamic is a badge that Omega has used a few times in the past. Perhaps best known are the 70’s series of Dynamics (first issued in 1969), with the typical oval shaped cases. Back then they were no. 1 on Omega’s sales list.

There were several case options but the oval shapes that I have here was by far the most popular, and they are popular to this day. Omega propaganda said that this case was ergonomically designed to sit perfectly on the average wrist; Yeah, right!! It has a monocoque case meaning there is no back. This is not new to Omega, it was used in some Constellations of the mid 60s. But!…….wait a minute! Looking underneath, we see something that screws off and looks like a back to me! In fact, it is there to hold the band in place.

The movement used in these is the workhorse of Omega Autos, the fabulous 752 and its variants (752 is day/date with quick date change, they also used the date only version and the wind up version).

Up to this time, Omegas where conservative, very stylish and practical. Popular with Doctors and accountants. The Dynamic was a clear shift down the sports path. They where distinctive, water resistant and tough.

They came with a strap or a bracelet.  I don’t think the original straps were leather. I’m going on memory from way back and I can’t find any info on this.  I remember some more
propaganda that said it was some special material that they developed. Anyway, leather is not too good for watches that are all purpose. And the strap turned out to be their weak spot. Standard straps would not fit the Dynamic, so it had to be original, and boy, when Omega have got you by the nuts they know how to squeeze hard. And when you have a heavy stainless steel watch with a strap that narrows to 14mm, it is just too narrow at the buckle to last.

So, the first of these I brought was all original with a strap but only date, no day. The dial seemed a little faded.

Another came along, this one I should not have brought. Repainted dial (a bit dark), non original glass and non original strap.

Another came along. A 752  auto (day and date) this one in poor condition but all original with a bracelet. This was a perfect restoration job and, if I say so myself, I did a pretty good job of it. This is the only one I have now, I sold the other two, but I have added a matching ladies version. This is the only ladies watch that I have in my collection

As I said earlier, the Dynamics, as an Omega line, have resurfaced in the years that followed but they were like the Ford Mustang; they keep on re-releasing versions of it  but it’s the original that has that something special that made the name a legend.

Bulova Accutron 1974

 

In 1974 quartz watches had just entered the scene at the very top of the market but stories were filtering down about this technology’s impeccable accuracy. This was serious stuff for Bulova who had for the previous 14 years the only worthwhile electronic watch on the market.  The Accutron’s only claim to fame was its accuracy, matched only by the very best chronometers but now there was a serious rival on the horizon.

So Bulova renamed this accutron the Accuquartz cashing in on the latest word in advanced technology. It also has a quartz crystal looking thing on the dial.

Bulova went on producing the tuning fork Accutron until 1977 but this is the only example I have seen with Accuquartz on the dial.  Bulova must have very quickly dropped this laughable attempt to confuse the consumer into thinking that instead of 14 year old tuning fork technology they were actually delving into the latest quartz technology.

This uses the latest 2242 (which has hardly advanced at all since the original in 1960)Has very nice hands and dial with day and date. It is signed four times; the dial, movement, back and clasp. The crown is not original and not signed.

Seiko Duo Divers 1984

 

It’s hard to find a quartz watch in my collection but this one warrants a place.

It’s a 1984 Seiko Duo Divers watch, rated to 150 meters.

Duos, the name that Seiko called this type that combined digital and analogue displays made the watch very versatile with several functions. This one, (calibre H558) features; complete calendar, stopwatch, alarm and dual time. It also has a light to illuminate the digital display.

Seiko made a complete range of duos, from dress watches to everyday to special purpose watches such as this one.

The large black plastic trim made this watch very distinctive but was also it’s downfall, it was easily damaged and over time became brittle and would crack, bear in mind that this type of watch appeals not only to the amateur diver but also to the bloke that is going to subject it to some rough treatment.  This watch could handle just about anything that was dished up but the black trim didn’t.

It also another claim to fame. In the 1985 film, “A View to a Kill”, James Bond was wearing this Seiko in some scenes

This is a rare perfect example of this model, note the original plastic on the back.

 

Tudor Prince 1980

  

On the 6^th March 1946, Hans Wilsdorf, the co-founder of Rolex some 40 years earlier, launched a new watch that would sell at a modest price than Rolex and yet one that would attain the standards of dependability for which Rolex is famous. The new watch was called Tudor This Prince is a typical Tudor, it has Rolex  written all over it (literally and metaphoricaly).  The main difference is the movement. This 1980 watch uses the ETA 2784 automatic movement which is given an extra polish.  Just about everything else, from the date bubble to the serial number between the lugs, is Rolex.

The Tudor brand is no where near as popular as its big brother, probably because they are not cheap and for the purchaser who is in a position to consider a Tudor, he would likely go the extra few K and get the prestige that comes with a Rolex.

Relide 1965c

 

This watch was made sometime in the mid sixties and until I aquired it, had never been
opened. I doubt if it’s even been worn!

Only the dial is signed but this watch is worthy of a place in my collection by virtue
of the superb compressor case and the toughest of all automatic movements, the
Felsa 4007

An ordinary looking watch but great quality and in pristine condition.

 

Bulova Accutron 1971

  In 1971, the Bulova accutron was 11 years old. Any early thoughts that  it was nothing  than a gimmick had long been dismissed.. It had nowhere near replaced the mechanical, Bulova themselves had a complete range of mechanicals that they marketed alongside the accutron and, in fact, outsold it. But the accutron had established itself firmly in its small niche of the marketplace as a reliable and extremely accurate watch. 

 The accutron movement changed little during its existence. This calibre 2181 was released in 1967 and featured a date and stem and crown for setting.

The styles did change with the fashion and here we have a watch of its era: rounded rectangular case with squared off hands and yet it manages to still be elegant.

Not only that but this example is in perfect condition and was presented to me in its original box: a rareity

A very pleasant and unique watch.

Boctock 1975c

   This is the only Russian watch in my collection, a divers from sometime in the 70s.

 I know very little about Russian watches except that all of those that I have come accross are nowhere near even average grade Swiss: this Boctock is no exception.

 All the script on this is in Russian so it was most likely produced for the domestic market. I see 200m on the back which would indicate a claim of being 200 metre water resist, drawing a bit of a long bow I think but I understand that the Soviet consumer affairs department (if it existed) were even slacker than it’s Australian counterpart

 Still during the old iron curtain days, Eastern block industries had no competition from the West. Some Russian watches were exported; I remember the Sekonda brand that seemed popular in the UK, but these competed in the West purely on price.

 The movement is jewelled (17) with lever escapement, the finish is poor and I think the case is very ordinary.  The back and glass are very thin for a 200m watch.

 To be fair, the Swiss, English and Japanese all have examples of cheap low grade watches that I would not have in my collection. So why do I include this Boctock? Because it’s got personality, it’s different to everything else I’ve got and it’s Russian.