Tissot · ref T12 · early 1970s
The T12 was Tissot's round, chunky case of the early 1970s, a UFO shape with hidden lugs that came as a three-hander, a compressor-style diver and the chronograph collectors like best. What makes the chronograph special is inside. It runs the hand-wound Lemania 873, which is mechanically the same movement as the cal. 861 in Omega's Speedmaster from 1968 on. That sharing comes from Tissot, Omega and Lemania all belonging to the SSIH group. On paper it's 43mm, but owners say it wears smaller because the lugs are tucked under the case. Look for the panda dial with red sub-dial hands and a red diamond-shaped chronograph hand, a ship engraved on the press-fit caseback, and the original bracelet made by Gay Frères. The bracelet hooks into a loop built into the case, so a strap is awkward and the original bracelet matters more than usual.
The caliber
The Lemania 873 is mechanically the same movement Omega sold as the cal. 861 in the Speedmaster, a hand-wound chronograph switched by a cam. Tissot used other Lemania chronographs in the same years, like the Lemania 872 in the PR 516 ref. 40528, so check the movement number rather than assuming.
Tired dials and cases polished to a shine are the usual problems, and the matte case should match the bracelet's finish. Wrong hands turn up too, so compare them with known originals and make sure the chronograph works.
Buying guide
We'd buy the ref. 40504 titled with the Lemania 873 at $1,519 delivered from Italy, just under the band. There are only about 10 for sale, most from Europe or Argentina, and most ask $1,525–1,900 delivered. Several titles name a Lemania 871 or 1281 instead of the 873, so ask for a movement photo and a video of the chronograph starting, stopping and resetting, and check that the case and the Gay Frères bracelet share the same matte finish. Check the seller's feedback and return policy on the item page, and skip the $3,036 "Jumbo" listing, which asks over $1,100 above the band.
$1,345.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered T12 chronograph at $1,345, about $180 under the band. The title names a Lemania 871, the catalog lists the 873, and nothing says it runs, so ask for a movement photo and a video of the chronograph.
VINTAGE TISSOT T12 SEASTAR CHRONOGRAPH MANUAL WIND MOVEMENT CAL LEMANIA 871 42MM
$1,519.43est. delivered
The cheapest one titled with both a reference, 40504, and the Lemania 873 the catalog lists, at $1,519 delivered, just under the band. "Top condition" is the seller's grading, so compare the case and bracelet finish in the photos.
Tissot T12 Chronograph UFO - Ref. 40504 Cal. Lemania 873 - TOP CONDITION
$1,792.84est. delivered
Titled serviced with the Lemania 873, at $1,793 delivered, inside the band. Ask what the service covered and for a video of the chronograph snapping back to zero.
Vintage Tissot T12 Chronograph Hand-Winding Men's Watch Lemania 873 Serviced!
$1,757.03est. delivered
The only one here titled with its box, at $1,757 delivered, mid-band. The title names both an 871 and a Lemania 1281, so ask for a clear movement photo to see what's inside.
Tissot Seastar T.12 Chronograph 1969 42mm Cal 871 Lemania 1281 Boxed outstandind
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 6, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$1,345.00est. delivered
$1,300.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,300.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled Lemania 871, 42mm. Ships from Argentina.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,519.43est. delivered
$1,463.15 + $56.28 shipping
Buy It Now$1,463.15
Good buy
Ref. 40504 with the Lemania 873, graded top condition by the seller. Ships from Italy.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Serviced$1,792.84est. delivered
$1,720.01 + $72.83 shipping
Buy It Now$1,720.01
Good buy
Lemania 873, titled serviced. Ships from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,757.03est. delivered
$1,677.58 + $79.45 shipping
Buy It Now$1,677.58
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Boxed, titled 1969 with an 871 and a Lemania 1281. Ships from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,395.00est. delivered
$1,350.00 + $45.00 shipping
Buy It Now$1,350.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Same title as the $1,345 listing, also from Argentina. $50 more.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$1,549.20est. delivered
$1,522.72 + $26.48 shipping
Buy It Now$1,522.72
Our take
Ref. 40606, titled cal. 1281. Ships from the UK.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Serviced$1,914.99est. delivered
$1,895.00 + $19.99 shipping
Buy It Now$1,895.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Three-register, titled serviced. Ships from the US.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$3,036.00est. delivered
$2,999.00 + $37.00 shipping
Buy It Now$2,999.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Titled 1960s Jumbo. Over $1,100 above the band.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 6, 2026.
See every listing on eBay ↗eBay searchA fresh strap, a set of spring bars and a spring-bar tool are the cheap part of making an old Tissot T12 Chronograph wearable again. This searches Amazon for the usual kit.
Search straps & tools ↗Amazon search
Omega · Speedmaster
Chronographref 145.022
$4,975–$6,875 typical ask
Tissot · PR 516
Diveref PR 516 (refs. 44544, 44622)
$260–$370 typical ask
Movado · Datron
Chronographref Datron HS 360
$5,100–$6,925 typical ask
Zenith · El Primero
Chronographref A386
$18,850–$21,025 typical ask