Its been awhile since I posted, so here goes. I have so many watches to write up, but this was my latest purchase.
I have been quietly after a vintage Sector 450 Chronograph for a some time, maybe a year or two. Slowly slowly catch a monkey! I was looking out for the automatic 7750, but was open to the idea of a quartz.
It really shows to show it is always best to try the watch on, or at least see one in the flesh before purchasing. I know from experience that is not always possible these days with buying online and especially with the lock-down .
If I had not seen this 450 chronograph I would have never bought it, because I would have disqualified it for a couple of reasons 1: No bracelet 2: dial/hands colour lacking contrast. Which neither actually detract from me really liking the watch.
Sector watches (No Limits) It was founded in 1980 by Filippo Giardiello, in Naples, Italy also he was the owner of Philip Watches, they then moved to Switzerland. The Golden days were 1980s to early 2001 they made some really great affordable dive watches. In 2001 they were bought out, and cheap China movements were used, unfortunately they use the same model numbers so it can be confusing, but don’t mix the two, they are really chalk and cheese!
This model I am guessing is early 1990s? I must say I am quite smitten! It may be small for some not for me 42mm with crown, 46 lug to lug. Firstly the quality/cost ratio is truly excellent, the bezel is lovely easy to grab and clicks smoothly and firmly with no play at all. The overall aesthetics, crown guard, wrist grabbing lugs. hands, dial and sub dials and 4 Oclock date window is beguiling, the screw down crown and chrono pushers are a joy to use. And 200 meters water resistance, not that I will be testing that!
Its engine is a high quality ETA 251.272 22jewel quartz that is used in the Hamilton Jazzmaster, Tissot’s and Tag’s of the day.
My overall verdict is excellent used value and there is a lot of fun and quality in the cheap seats if you know where to look! Here are some quick mobile pics.
