Vintage 1970's Sandoz 20 ATM Diver Watch withSigned Crown, Runs FOR PARTS/REPAIR

While the movement runs strong, keeps accurate time and the date wheel rolls over automatically as it should, when the screwdown crown is pulled out to set the time it tends to skip and with every several turns it sounds like crunching lettuce. Also, when setting the time the hour hand sometimes gets stuck and bounces uncontrollably to different times. Additionally, when winding the crown there is skipping and a crunching lettuce sound with every several revolutions, the hands need to be remounted as the time cannot be set correctly ie. Given these issues and considering that the movement shows no clear signs of ever having been serviced a complete overhaul is long overdue and required.

This seldom seen vintage 1970's Sandoz has a glossy black "T SWISS MADE T" signed dial that is in lovely but not perfect condition as it shows wear. The lume on the dial and hands, which remains fully intact and emits a quick-burst glow after being exposed to bright light, has aged gracefully to a perfectly matching golden buttermilk hue.

The black bezel, which shows wear and rotates smoothly bidirectionally, presents nicely. The all stainless steel case, which appears to have retained its original finish, shows honest wear with no visible signs of oxidation. The outer edge of the case back is stamped "SWISS MADE WATERPROOF ANTIMAGNETIC INCABLOC AUTOMATIC ALL STAINLESS STEEL" with the Sandoz emblem followed by "20 ATM" and "1744Z-84-5" stamped in the center. The domed crystal shows scratching and dust/debris on its underbelly.

The 25 jewels Swiss "SANDOZ" stamped FHF 905 automatic movement with quickset date function is clean and runs. However, there are several issues affecting the movement. Please read the section in asterisks for a detailed description of these issues. When working the quickset date function works by manually rolling over a new date and then moving the hour hand repeatedly between the 20 and 24 hour marks until the desired date has been reached.

After recently winding the screwdown crown 39 full revolutions the movement had a power reserve of 33 hours (which includes moving the minute hand to restart the seconds hand when it gets stuck). The approximate 4.5 mm Sandoz signed crown screws down without issue and winds beautifully when it doesn't begin to skip and sound like crunching lettuce. Given the issues mentioned and considering the movement's unknown service history (there are no visible watchmaker service markings on the inside of the case back or on the movement) a complete overhaul is long overdue and required. This watch measures approximately 35 mm excluding the crown, approximately 39.5 mm including the crown and approximately 19 mm between the lugs. Case thickness, measured from the bottom of the case back to the top of the bezel, is approximately 9 mm.

Including the crystal thickness measures approximately 12 mm. Given the issues mentioned and considering that the movement shows no clear signs of ever having been serviced a complete overhaul is required.

As such there are no warranties, express or implied, attached with the sale of this watch. Vintage means old and while my personal belief is that old-school means better quality and workmanship, things can and do go wrong from time to time.

For this watch that time is now. Any servicing costs going forward are your responsibility. And please study the 12 high magnification pictures carefully, which were taken in natural light and from various angles, as they are part of the description and serve as an accurate representation of the condition of this watch.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Parts, Tools & Guides\Watches for Parts". The seller is "twooldsouls" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Republic of Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion.

Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
Movement Type: Mechanical (Automatic)
Dial Style: Non-Numeric Hour Marks
Features: Rotating Bezel, Water-Resistant, Screwdown Crown
Year Manufactured: 1970-1979
Dial Color: Black
Type: Wristwatch
Bezel Color: Black
Bezel Type: Bidirectional Rotating
Display: Analog
Lug Width: 19 mm
Case Size: 35 mm
Department: Men
Style: Diver, Sport, Casual
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Case Finish: Brushed/Polished
Caseback: Screwback
Water Resistance: 200 m (20 ATM)
Number of Jewels: 25 Jewels
Brand: Sandoz