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Thread: Large case diameter watches from 1970

  1. #1
    Craftsman
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    Large case diameter watches from 1970

    I'm thinking of a birth year watch (1970) but prefer watches over 40mm (42mm if possible) as I feel 40mm still looks small, any suggestions ? Most made in the 70s seem too small for my wrist.
    Had a look around on the net and nothing stands out.
    Don't really want to spend too much so would struggle to justify a big investment (unless I really liked it)
    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Seiko 6105-8000. But you'll struggle to find one in decent nick below about £750.

  3. #3
    Grand Master
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    I think you’ve got two mutually exclusive criteria; very few watches were over 40mm in 1970, you either want a 1970 watch or you want a watch that’s large..........you’re going to struggle.

    Surely, part of the birth-year thing is to have something that represented the fashion of the day? My advice is to forget the size thing and be open-minded. Alternatively forget buying a 1970 watch.

    As a fan of 70s watches, who’s happy with their size, I wish you luck.

    Paul

  4. #4

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by MartinCRC View Post
    And yet ...

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    I think you’ve got two mutually exclusive criteria; very few watches were over 40mm in 1970, you either want a 1970 watch or you want a watch that’s large..........you’re going to struggle.

    Surely, part of the birth-year thing is to have something that represented the fashion of the day? My advice is to forget the size thing and be open-minded. Alternatively forget buying a 1970 watch.

    As a fan of 70s watches, who’s happy with their size, I wish you luck.

    Paul
    I hear what you are saying.
    There are some great looking watches from the 70s but I just know if it looks too small I wouldn't wear it.
    I don't want to get something to have it in a case to look at and not wear it.
    Looks like I may have to think again.

    Cheers
    Graham

  7. #7
    Grand Master
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    Sure, there are a few larger watches around from 1970 but they ARE few and far between!

    Finding a watch that’s genuinely from 1970 will be hard enough, being so specific about size makes the task orders of magnitude harder.

    An excercise in futility IMO............but god loves a trier.

    Paul

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by MartinCRC View Post
    That looks nice, although I have three Seikos (Skx007, PADI Turtle and a Seiko 5 sports as a beater)
    Must like Seikos 🤔

  9. #9
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    I do quite like the look of the vintage Omega watches but I would have to try one and see.
    I got offered a stainless steel Daytona from a dealer at list a couple of year ago and turned it down (silly me) because it just didn't look right.
    The smallest watch I have is a SDc and although I love it when i wear it I feel that's too small.
    Maybe be better buying something else from 1970 to scratch the itch!

  10. #10
    Some with the Val 7734 come in above 40mm such as some variants of the Roamer Stingray I believe? The case sizes are somewhat hard to ascertain though as they could be quite curvaceous! Other makes still with that same movement and case sizes over 40mm are Lip and Dugena. No doubt other brands too, but those three are the ones that spring to mind with larger cases.
    Last edited by hughtrimble; 13th December 2017 at 02:39.

  11. #11
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MartinCRC View Post
    Loverly
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  12. #12
    Master draftsmann's Avatar
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    There were exceptions and some are still available without selling a limb or vital organ. For example I have an early ‘70s Longines Ultronic dress watch that is “chunky” even by modern standards which I paid around £250 for. Tuning fork watches are a happy hunting ground as Zenith, IWC, Tissot and others made some quite big watches in that era which are interesting and affordable.

  13. #13
    Master ordo's Avatar
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    There were some watches over 40mm in diameter made in the 70s, Swiss, but usually these belonged to unknown obscure brands. They're out there, honestly, and often time on the cheap side.

    Here's a pretty interesting example that I came across recently.


  14. #14
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    There are loads of 40+ watches of this era, mostly divers though, not so many ‘dressy’ watches though, Speedy Pro is though.
    Cheers..
    Jase

  15. #15
    Master Neilw3030's Avatar
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    How about Orient SK divers, good plus 40mm size and available from the 60s going forward.

  16. #16
    Master Lampoc's Avatar
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    The Enicar Sherpa Guides are big old watches at 43mm width with 22mm lugs. The Mark IVs were made around 1970. There's a decent blog about them here: https://thespringbar.com/blogs/guide...2-crown-models

    Here's mine:

    Last edited by Lampoc; 13th December 2017 at 08:29.

  17. #17
    Grand Master RustyBin5's Avatar
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    Couple of things. Dress watches tend to be sans bezel so although the diameter is smaller the fact it is all dial can be illusory and make it wear slightly larger. Got a Longines 302L which is 36 I think but it wears largersicura did some funky oversized ones too. This is 43mm and cost me couple hundreds only


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  18. #18
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    MKII, 42mm


  19. #19
    Master
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    The SHOM is a big old boy and is one of those watches that look better in real life imo I’d say. Also the 70’s barrel shaped Heuer Autavia’s must be over 40mm

  20. #20
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    Large case diameter watches from 1970

    An Omega Speedmaster MKIII screams the 70’s. A proper chunk of metal. Omega’s first ever automatic chronograph IIRC

    Here’s mine that was handed down to me by my old man.




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  21. #21
    any of the larger omega chronostops - not too thick and super comfortable - and definately still underpriced for what they are,...


  22. #22
    Master Wolfie's Avatar
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    Were 6309’s done as early as 70?


  23. #23
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfie View Post
    Were 6309’s done as early as 70?
    Not quite. '74 I think ( maybe '76 ?)
    Cheers..
    Jase

  24. #24
    Master bobbee's Avatar
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    Rusty is right about Sicura, here is my Rally GT, at 46mm it must be one of the biggest from the 70s.













    Or this 42mm sport watch marketed in the US by JC Penney.








    Or for the ultimate, another hand winding alarm watch from JC Penney, at five inches! ;)






  25. #25
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Certina made a few DS models from late 60s to mid 70s over 40mm.
    Heres my 1000M Super Ph, made from 1970 to 1976. (43mm)
    Cheers..
    Jase

  26. #26
    Master Wolfie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    Not quite. '74 I think ( maybe '76 ?)
    Yeah - and what would you know?

  27. #27
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wolfie View Post
    Yeah - and what would you know?
    Ha! ( its 1976, I just looked it up )
    Cheers..
    Jase

  28. #28
    Master bobbee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    Certina made a few DS models from late 60s to mid 70s over 40mm.
    Heres my 1000M Super Ph, made from 1970 to 1976. (43mm)
    Oh my, something to kill for...

  29. #29
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bobbee View Post
    Oh my, something to kill for...

    ( JasonM. currently editing location in profile )
    Cheers..
    Jase

  30. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    Not quite. '74 I think ( maybe '76 ?)
    Production started mid-1976.

    Martin

    Edit: You beat me to it - just saw your subsequent post.

  31. #31
    Has anyone suggested Breitling yet? I've always had a hankering for one of the old Transocean chronographs from around 1970. Hefty old things.



    There would appear to be an abundancy of options for the OP, some of which naturally wallet busting but we haven't had that parameter defined yet.

    Martin

  32. #32
    And at the dressier and budget end of the market, how about a nice cushion-cased Seiko Bell-Matic? I think this one is about 40mm diameter, not including the crown.



    Martin

  33. #33
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MartinCRC View Post
    And at the dressier and budget end of the market, how about a nice cushion-cased Seiko Bell-Matic? I think this one is about 40mm diameter, not including the crown.

    Martin
    Good call, in fact vintage Seiko would be a good port of call for the OP, a lot of choice in the size specced and the bonus of definitive production date.
    I really like the Navigator, made from 1968. 40mm ( Photo credit Rich at the watchspot)

    Cheers..
    Jase

  34. #34
    Master
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    If you can stretch to 1972 onwards, the Omega Semaster F300 diver is a pretty substantial 41mm:


  35. #35
    Master bobbee's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    ( JasonM. currently editing location in profile )
    "Meanwhile, bobbee is doggedly pedalling his (genitalia-numbing) bicycle down the A14"...

  36. #36
    Craftsman
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    Some great looking watches and quite a few options.
    Price wise I would ideally look at around £500-£1000 depending on how much I liked it.
    Would love to spend a bit more and look at an Omega or something but if I went for this option would have to hold off abit until the pocket money had built back up.

  37. #37
    Master
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    Omega speedsonic is a bit of a monster. Can be had for very reasonable prices.

  38. #38
    I was going to mention the Vulcain Nautical, which has been a 42 mm watch since it came on the market in 1961, but it may be difficult to find one within budget. Still, could be worth a look; it's a big watch that has some significant diving history to it, and a unique movement with an uncommon alarm function.


  39. #39
    Master sweets's Avatar
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    There are a few chronos out there. Omega style.
    The Chronostos have beem mentioned, and only the larger ones fit the bill, they are 42mm. With internal bezel or large tachy ring.
    The Omega soccer, which uses a case like this, but with an internal bezel. Also be aware there are similar looking small ones too.



    There are some other appropriate Certina DS models (DS2 is around n 1970). Check www.vintagecertinas.ch - great site.

    Dave

  40. #40
    Grand Master snowman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sweets View Post
    I like that!

    The Seiko Navigator looks good on a strap too () and is cheap as chips compared with some similar era Seikos.



    Obviously, a Breitling Navitimer or Omega Speedmaster would fit the bill too, depending on what you want to spend.

    M

  41. #41
    The SS Speedsonic on SC?

  42. #42
    Certain Rado design's would meet you criteria, however I appreciate certain Rado designs can also be a tad 'marmite'

  43. #43
    1163 Autavia?

    Not cheap these days though?
    Andy

    Wanted - Damasko DC57

  44. #44
    Craftsman Thomps68's Avatar
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    How about a Dan Henry "1970" 44mm , keep you going 'till you find a vintage piece!

  45. #45
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by andy tims View Post
    1163 Autavia?

    Not cheap these days though?
    £2.5k on a good day (head only)

  46. #46
    Grand Master seikopath's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by henk View Post
    I just don't get this birth year stuff??

    Sent from my SM-G920F using TZ-UK mobile app
    It's not compulsory. As long as you can open a tin of beans you'll be ok.
    Good luck everybody. Have a good one.

  47. #47
    Master
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    This is lovely, I’m really into my Omegas but I have to say some of the Tissot Chrono’s really were the business.

  48. #48
    Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by henk View Post
    I just don't get this birth year stuff??

    Sent from my SM-G920F using TZ-UK mobile app
    +1......first thing you’ve posted that I agree with for a while!

    I don’t get the birth year thing, but I almost got drawn in.

    I’m 60 in January and I took a 1958 Omega in P/x against some restoration work I did on a couple of watches. Only problem was the bezel.....which was missing. Having agreed to have a new one made (at considerable expense) and deciding to make the watch a gift to myself I’ve had a setback with the bezel and the project probably now won’t fly. The guy making the bezel has now got health problems, he has my best wishes because I’ve been there myself, but the project is definitely now on hold.

    Maybe it’s a case of karma, I’ve made so many disparaging comments about the childish aspect of birth-year watches over the years......maybe fate’s paying me back!

    At the end of the day it’s just another watch, the birth-year thing still makes little sense to me, but this would’ve been a nice one when I’d finished with it. It’ll get sorted eventually........but my birthday will have been and gone.

    Paul

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