Full sized Accutron Astronaut or an early Rolex clone?
A number of the the Deskdivers are also Accutron fans and like many are attracted by the Bulova Accturon 214 Astronaut. It’s a beautiful watch, a real classic and much has been written about them on the internet. It has a wonderful case shape and the bezel is wider than the case framing the whole watch in a way only the vintage watches manage. However the Bulova suffers from one downside when viewed with modern eyes... it's too small.
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So where did Dreffa get its inspiration for this watch?
The Astronaut?
Well it seems to have a similar case profile with the domed crystal and bezel that overlaps the case sides. The lugs are practically identical to the Swiss produced ‘hidden Spaceviews’.
Around the same era Rolex were producing the 5508 and just moving into their new 5513 model, i.e. the last of the semi-bubbleback Rolex and still using matt painted dials with Tritium lume. The 5513 is larger than the Astronaut with a 39mm case and is recognised as the archetypal dive watch of its era. It was issued to the Navy, the model ran for more than 25 years and was even worn by James Bond!
The 5508/5513?
Well the dial is very 5508 in that it has the minute track but is more 5513 with its indices. With a SeaDweller 1665 look about the domed crystal without the Cyclops date bubble.
The SM300?
Well it has got a very Omega Seamaster 300 crown with the Dreffa D logo that at first glance could be confused with Omega.
Dreffa are one of the older Swiss watchmakers who originally made their own movements.
Established in 1874 in Geneva, by Armand Dreyfus, The last records listing Dreffa were in 1973-74. The factory was based at 30 Rue le Stand.
Specifications:
• Stainless Steel case with bi-directional rotating Stainless Steel bezel
• Tritum luminescent hands and hour markers
• Domed acrylic Crystal
• Signed screw down crown
• Silver Date display at 3 o'clock
• Automatic ETA 2472 movement with 25 jewels
• Water resistant to 200 meters (660 ft.)
• Width: 38mm
• Width (including crown): 42mm
• Length: 45mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Crystal/Dial width: 31mm
• Bezel width: 38mm
• Lug width: 18mm
Movement Specifications:
• Debut 1950's
• Height 5.3 mm
• ø 25.6 mm (11.5 ligne)
• 25 Jewels
• 18000 A/h
• Power reserve 42 hours
• non-quickset date
• Incabloc shock protection.
