Roamer Anfibio: Ebay can still have some gems...

Nice watch AND case!

The case is solid aluminium, surprisingly heavy!

At the risk of being a killjoy, that’s not likely to be a 50/60s Roamer Anfibio, and I’m suspicious as that reference number is not coming up...

edit: I actually found this watches listing, this is from Italian eBay. 
 

it’s been bugging me; I’ve owned so many Anfibios over the years, I just keep thinking something is not right. First - it doesn’t say Anfibio on the dial, so that’s your first red flag.

Secondly, if its Roamer of that sort of era, there would be a logo with a ⭕️ + lower case “r”. Now it would either be a raised icon, or it would be on the dial. The font for the Roamer might not be right, this looks later 60s - mid 70s, but even then it would have had the “r”.

Roamer and 25J automatic in an Anfibio? Not sure if that was a matchup. Most were hand wind in that era (50s/60s) with 17J Incabloc. If it was an automatic, it would be the Anfibiomatic model, and that was 28J. The roto movements, like on the Stingray, were 44J. All Roamers tended to have the model name on the dial.

The case might be right for later 60s - 70s, but the case back is not right. Plus the serial just doesn’t match anything online. Plus, it’s too clean - there is no pitting, or any sign of wear, and the backplate is spotless. 
 

Have you checked the movement? 
I mean, it looks nice, but it is not a very Roamer-looking Roamer, if that makes sense. Did you pay the 130€ it was listed for?

I would love to see the movement, although there are many better people to judge movements than me.  I just run to Ranfft and start comparing.

I think that it is a very pretty watch.  It likely has some Roamer DNA. I have to agree that it is too clean, like its been re-plated.  Even the crown is clean. 

Of course you are not a killjoy! Sharing knowledge is the point of this site, isn't it?

There is always a risk involved in buying something secondhand, especially from the internet, and there is always the nagging suspicion that you 've been ripped off, especially if you are a newcomer.

Your points are all valid. I haven't got the tools to open the case, but I will ask my tame watchmaker to pop the lid and have a look when I get the chance. I will update this post to  let you know what he 'll find.

I chose words poorly. I never said that it was a 60's era watch (and the seller did not say that it was from that era), just that I liked the aesthetic of small watches from that era. The watch is too clean to be produced in the 60s. I also found a similar model (a day/date one) with the same characteristics on another site (https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/roamer-anfibio-automatic-swiss-watch-903662540). Either it is a genuine article, or a well-made fake. Still, you have a point.

Yes, I paid the 130€. No biggie,  it's money I can easily spare. If that teaches me to be more thorough in my research, then it's money well spent. 

As I said to @chronotriggered , I will have a watchmaker check it (and maybe take some pics). We 'll see.

Question: What is "Ranftt"?

Dr. Roland Ranfft maintains a database that is very useful for movements and for watches: http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2usau 

I keep it bookmarked to do casual research when I am looking at buying vintage.  It is a resource to let you know that you are on the right track.  He was active in other forums, but not here. (We are too cool or hip or something.  Perhaps, he doesn't need another group asking endless questions, in English.)

I am not ready to pronounce your watch a fake.  I don't possess that knowledge or skill.  I believe that it was restored. A restored watch can be beautiful, fun, and keep great time. It may be exactly what you think that you bought, but I am concerned by the case back and the lack of Anfibio on the dial.  Roamer made 25 jewel movements, but mostly in later watches.

Unfortunately, Roamer, along with Sandoz, Seiko, Titus, Titoni, and others are often reassembled from dead watches in less developed countries.  They are often lesser grade Swiss movements dressed up in fancier clothing.

This is one of mine.  It should be a French Selhor from the late 1960's.  Note the date wheel. That's not right.  Angled wrong, won't line up. Maybe this is why:

That's an Austin movement.  Austin was a Swiss company that used to supply movements to jewelry store brands in the United States.  I don't think that they ever had a connection to Selhor. But, I can't say for certain. There is no internet database for Selhor or Austin.

Was the seller scamming me? Probably not.  He probably didn't know and didn't care.  He bought it with the lamp and the ashtray at an estate sale.  I should have known.

It keeps great time and I think that it is a pretty watch.  I am not ashamed of it, however, I never bother to set the date.

Don't worry, I am not ashamed about my purchase! Suspicious? Yes, but even in the worst case (turns out to be a fake), It's a cute little watch that I may have overpaid. It -so far- keeps good time and is already a conversation starter. Now it has a little story attached to it (I know, hopelessly romantic, etc). 

The Ranftt page is a treasure trove!😍 Thanks for the tips!

Very Cool!