Gunderscore
Bronze Contributor
Vintage 1960s/70s Dorset Diver Swiss/Seiko/Montgomery Ward
Background
I acquired this fantastic simple and classic diver last year from an auction in Texa$ (if I recall correctly) and now its time to move on and make some space.
Dorset? What's that? Do you remember the glory days of Your Local Department Store? This watch does!! Dorset was one of Montgomery Ward's house brands. If you'd like to go down that rabbit hole, see the thread I wrote over there.
A curious watch that only says Swiss on the back, regarding the case, and not the dial (indicating movement Swiss). The movement is, in fact, a "UniTime 29C" aka Seiko 6602 ebauche.
This watch is a great-running manual wind tool-type watch that's oh so very late 1960s/early70s, even down to the old rubberish smell of the period-correct tropical strap.
Produced in the late 60s or early 70s (by my guess), are you ready to be its next custodian?
Thanks so much for looking. Questions are welcomed; please message if you’d like a video of operation, more photos of further details.
Price & Logistics:
$325 and always happy to receive and review a reasonable offer.
Payment by etransfer or cash.
Happy to ship at buyer's expense using the CWC shipping (haven't used it yet) or Canada Post, tracked and full value insured. Will consider F2F in specific parts of Toronto (schlepping around this place is a PITA).
I'm new to CWC with one purchase transaction (user name revised so its more easily searchable for feedback, thanks to Bobby for the steer on that) and I've sold 50+ watches and parts on eBay with 100% positive feedback.
Dial and Hands
Great baton hands with a chonky square sweep seconds. They pop off a deep black dial.
Lume is bright but shows it age and fades quickly.
Case & Crystal
Classicly beautful diver case is ~37mm diameter with additional dimensions in photos. Case is chrome-plated base metal with stainless back. The back looks like a screw down but isn't. Its a deceptive snap back. Case is proudly Swiss-made.
Bezel adjusts (I had it off and cleaned) in both directions, sticks in a couple places. No ratcheting. Appears to be made from aluminum.
Crystal has a slight crack at 2 o'clock and some other minor marks that a visible at certain angles. (see photos)
Movement
The movement is marked "29CUT" which decodes to "UniTime 29C" aka Seiko 6602 ebauche.
Timegrapher reports between +2 and -13 seconds/day in two positions. It has run very well the 6 or so months I've had it.
It stem winds and adjusts well. Date adjusts between 9 and 12 (or so). The watch is working and appears to run well. See photo(s) of timegrapher for an idea of how it is running. I am not, however, aware of the service history. As such, this is a used mechanical watch which may require a service.
Strap
Hong-Kong made trorpical style rubberish strap that smells old. Deligtfully so. Some wear on the long end.
Again, thanks so much for looking. Questions are welcomed; please message if you’d like a video of operation, more photos of further details.
Background
I acquired this fantastic simple and classic diver last year from an auction in Texa$ (if I recall correctly) and now its time to move on and make some space.
Dorset? What's that? Do you remember the glory days of Your Local Department Store? This watch does!! Dorset was one of Montgomery Ward's house brands. If you'd like to go down that rabbit hole, see the thread I wrote over there.
A curious watch that only says Swiss on the back, regarding the case, and not the dial (indicating movement Swiss). The movement is, in fact, a "UniTime 29C" aka Seiko 6602 ebauche.
This watch is a great-running manual wind tool-type watch that's oh so very late 1960s/early70s, even down to the old rubberish smell of the period-correct tropical strap.
Produced in the late 60s or early 70s (by my guess), are you ready to be its next custodian?
Thanks so much for looking. Questions are welcomed; please message if you’d like a video of operation, more photos of further details.
Price & Logistics:
$325 and always happy to receive and review a reasonable offer.
Payment by etransfer or cash.
Happy to ship at buyer's expense using the CWC shipping (haven't used it yet) or Canada Post, tracked and full value insured. Will consider F2F in specific parts of Toronto (schlepping around this place is a PITA).
I'm new to CWC with one purchase transaction (user name revised so its more easily searchable for feedback, thanks to Bobby for the steer on that) and I've sold 50+ watches and parts on eBay with 100% positive feedback.
Dial and Hands
Great baton hands with a chonky square sweep seconds. They pop off a deep black dial.
Lume is bright but shows it age and fades quickly.
Case & Crystal
Classicly beautful diver case is ~37mm diameter with additional dimensions in photos. Case is chrome-plated base metal with stainless back. The back looks like a screw down but isn't. Its a deceptive snap back. Case is proudly Swiss-made.
Bezel adjusts (I had it off and cleaned) in both directions, sticks in a couple places. No ratcheting. Appears to be made from aluminum.
Crystal has a slight crack at 2 o'clock and some other minor marks that a visible at certain angles. (see photos)
Movement
The movement is marked "29CUT" which decodes to "UniTime 29C" aka Seiko 6602 ebauche.
Timegrapher reports between +2 and -13 seconds/day in two positions. It has run very well the 6 or so months I've had it.
It stem winds and adjusts well. Date adjusts between 9 and 12 (or so). The watch is working and appears to run well. See photo(s) of timegrapher for an idea of how it is running. I am not, however, aware of the service history. As such, this is a used mechanical watch which may require a service.
Strap
Hong-Kong made trorpical style rubberish strap that smells old. Deligtfully so. Some wear on the long end.
Again, thanks so much for looking. Questions are welcomed; please message if you’d like a video of operation, more photos of further details.
