Waltham Skin Diver - Near New Old Stock - Black Dial - Ref. B271 - Circa 1969-1971

Offered here is as close to a new old stock Waltham skin diver as you will find, dating to approximately 1969 to 1971. It presents like a watch that escaped the hard life most skin divers lived. The case appears exceptionally crisp with strong edges, the dial is clean and glossy, the bezel printing remains sharp, and the movement and caseback interior show the kind of cleanliness that is rarely seen on surviving examples. The inside caseback is correctly stamped Waltham Watch Co.

This watch comes from the period when many American names were selling Swiss-made sport watches to meet growing demand for dive-style watches. By the late 1960s, the skin diver had become one of the defining watch formats of the era: rotating timing bezel, strong luminous markers, simple high-contrast dial layout, and practical everyday water-ready styling. These watches were marketed to recreational divers, swimmers, and outdoorsmen, but just as often became daily wear watches because they were rugged, legible, and modern-looking.

This B271 captures that moment well. It has the right late-60s and early-70s design language: black bezel, black dial, applied luminous baton markers, date at three, and a Swiss 17-jewel Incabloc movement with stunning chiseled perlage across the plates.

Waltham is an especially interesting name in this category because it sits at the crossroads of American brand recognition and Swiss production. That combination kept these watches attainable for a long time, but truly clean examples have become much harder to find than the market sometimes assumes. Most surviving pieces show heavy polish, worn bezels, moisture damage, relume, or replacement parts. This one appears to have avoided that cycle entirely.

Case condition is excellent overall with minor age and handling wear visible in the photographs, mostly on the caseback.

Terms: Please review all photos carefully as they are a part of the listing. This is a vintage timepiece. Accuracy, power reserve, and water resistance are not guaranteed. Vintage watches may require periodic service. Performance can vary with wear, temperature, and position.

I am happy to service any unserviced watch listed on the site — please inquire about service charges when purchasing.

All sales final.