Founded by Paul Wyler in 1923, Wyler SA started off as a brand reputed for its tough, rugged watches, especially after the introduction of their reputed Incaflex shockproof balance (1927). To prove their reliability, the brand dropped some of their Incaflex watches from the top of the Eiffel Tower (1931, 1956) and the Seattle Space Needle (1962); all kept working perfectly afterwards. Distributed as Wyler Vetta by the Binda Company (1930) in the Italian market, they proved very popular in the country and became the official timepiece of the victorious Italian soccer league during the 1934 World Cup. Later, in 1944, Albert Einstein commended his ten-year-old Wyler’s waterproof ability after a boating accident, which gained the brand massive notoriety in the American market. In 1992, the Binda Group acquired the Wyler brand, and produced a number of centenary pieces, relaunching the brand under the old Italian market monicker ‘Wyler Vetta’ in 2015.

This particular model of the Wyler Diver Lifeguard 660 was produced in extremely limited numbers, and allegedly sold in the American market through mail-in orders from Boy’s Magazine in the early 1970’s. The watch features a Swiss Valjoux 72 chronograph movement, as well as a Singer-made ‘Paul Newman’ panda dial —a combination only seen in the famous Rolex Daytona of the same nickname.

Located in Japan after a five-year search, this ultra-rare Wyler was found in good condition and further enhanced by replacing its incorrect hands with Daytona hands, as well as an Oyster-style bracelet, for a closer look to its Daytona brother. A unique opportunity to get a genuine diver watch that closely resembles the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman, this watch is no cheap tribute or replica, but a 1970’s vintage piece with original movement and dial from the exact same manufacturer as the more popular Rolex.

It look us half a decade to find it, so don’t let this opportunity pass you by!