Sears Alarm Diver Watch
Dive Watch (with mechanical alarm complication) · Sears (Department store house brand, produced by Swiss contract manufacturers like Benrus, Wakmann, or other private-label producers for Sears, Roebuck and Co.)
Period: Vintage Tool Watch Era (1960s-1970s)
Type
Dive Watch (with mechanical alarm complication)
Brand
Sears (Department store house brand, produced by Swiss contract manufacturers like Benrus, Wakmann, or other private-label producers for Sears, Roebuck and Co.)
Movement
Manual-wind mechanical movement with alarm function, likely a Swiss caliber such as the A. Schild AS 1475 or AS 1508, operating at 18,000 vph with approximately 17 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve
Dimensions
Case diameter: 38mm, Case thickness: 13mm, Lug-to-lug distance: 46mm, Lug width: 19mm
Description
This fascinating vintage Sears Alarm Diver combines two distinct functional complications into one robust package: a rotating timing bezel for underwater use and a loud mechanical alarm function originally intended for reminders or wake-up calls. Housed in a durable stainless steel case with the iconic dual-crown layout of vintage alarm watches, the matte black dial features clear military-style 24-hour markings and an alarm indicator hand. It represents a wonderful slice of mid-century retail watch history where department stores offered genuinely high-quality, Swiss-made mechanical tool watches to the public.
Key Features
Dual-crown mechanical alarm mechanism, inner 24-hour military time scale, rotating dive bezel, and co-branding with the iconic American retailer Sears
Dial Description
Matte black dial featuring bold Arabic numerals from 1 to 12 for standard hours, an inner 24-hour military time track, luminous syringe hands, a central red-tipped alarm setting hand, and signed 'Sears Alarm' with 'SWISS' and '5 ATM' at the bottom
Case Material
Stainless steel with a combination of brushed and polished finishes
Crystal Type
Domed acrylic plexiglass crystal with minor expected surface scratches typical of vintage tool watches
Bezel Details
Black bi-directional rotating bezel featuring a white elapsed-time dive timer scale with Arabic numerals at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50
Crown & Pushers
Dual crown setup characteristic of mechanical alarm watches; one crown at the 2 o'clock position for winding and setting the alarm, and another crown at the 4 o'clock position for winding the mainspring and setting the time
Bracelet or Strap
Currently stored in a protective plastic bag with a portion of a stainless steel bracelet or end link visible, likely originally fitted with a steel expansion bracelet or a rubber tropic strap
Caseback Details
Solid stainless steel screw-down case back, likely featuring standard vintage nomenclature including water resistance ratings and case reference numbers
Movement Type
Manual-wind mechanical movement with alarm function, likely a Swiss caliber such as the A. Schild AS 1475 or AS 1508, operating at 18,000 vph with approximately 17 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve
Water Resistance
Originally rated to 5 ATM (50 meters / 165 feet), though given its vintage status, the watch should be considered strictly non-water-resistant until pressure tested and fitted with new gaskets
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made, leveraging outsourced Swiss ebauche movements assembled for the American retail market through Sears
Age Estimate
Circa late 1960s to early 1970s
Cultural Significance
Illustrates the democratization of horology, showing how complex mechanical movements like alarms and dive timers were made accessible to everyday consumers through major retail chains before the quartz crisis
Condition Notes
Fair to Good vintage condition. The case shows minor wear and scratches consistent with age, the dial and hands retain original tritium lume with natural patina, and the crystal has light surface scuffs. Functionality of the mechanical alarm and movement remains unverified due to being stored in a protective pouch.
Value Estimate
Estimated between $300 to $800 USD depending on operational condition, servicing history, and whether it is paired with its original bracelet
Care & Maintenance
Requires a complete mechanical overhaul by a vintage watch specialist familiar with Swiss alarm movements like the AS 1475. Avoid exposing to moisture as vintage gaskets have likely degraded, and wind the crowns gently.
Similar Watches
Wyler Alarm, Benrus Citation Alarm, Vulcain Cricket, and various other 1960s dual-crown compressor-style alarm dive watches
Interesting Facts
During the 1960s and 70s, major American department stores like Sears partnered with reputable Swiss manufacturers to produce surprisingly sophisticated mechanical watches under their own house names, often utilizing the exact same movements found in high-end Swiss brands of the era.