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Bulova Oceanographer 333 Bezel Debate

  1. Jwit Not a doctor, but plays one on ΩF Apr 26, 2018

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    Hello everyone!

    I recently posted a piece up for sale on a local sales forum and have gotten some flack from some of the members about the piece.

    Almost immediately it was commented that “the bezel is missing”. The individual stating this has a decent amount of experience working with vintage watches over the years. I however, disagree.

    This is the watch in question
    C304A777-ADB8-4C5A-8B4D-CFDADD8EDD01.jpeg C6EC0AA2-52DE-4AA3-97F0-1696244741D1.jpeg D67513DC-3998-424B-BC6B-192A74D6B66D.jpeg 35DA91FB-8C87-4407-B0BB-CC73CB91072F.jpeg

    Now I have searched for similar case shapes that correspond with the model or even dial in the past and have been unsuccessful. I figured it was just another odd model from Bulova’s awesome back-catalogue.

    The examples that were shown in comparison were other “Oceanographer” models, however NONE of them shared the same style case. Some examples are of the likes of these(images taken from google...shout out to @Tony C. In the last one:whistling:)
    6B927AC9-5327-496A-8D20-4519BA5026A9.jpeg B8BB25C7-E766-4448-AD26-752F52F46946.jpeg 5DA513F8-54AC-4ED8-8723-5C470D9E0135.jpeg 4369458A-836C-4E78-B212-F4B8DD2CCD6D.jpeg 66F8B234-D76E-44EE-8AAB-125CAE8819D2.jpeg

    As a result of this debate I had another search for a similar model for the first time in a while. This time I was successful in finding an identical model on eBay. Here is one screen shot
    878876E7-8523-416A-9D60-801829CBF73F.png

    My simple question for everyone is:

    Do you think the watch in question is missing a bezel or not?

    I surely am curious to find out what everyone thinks. I know vintage Bulova isn’t the hottest topic but I’m still intrigued.

    Side note: it was pointed out that the crown is accutron, I assumed it was replaced at some point at well, however the other one on has the same exact crown. Could just be pure coincidence.

    The link to this thread will be shared with the local forum so they can contribute if they choose to.

    Thanks for your time :D

    -Jake
     
    Edited Apr 26, 2018
  2. GuiltyBoomerang Apr 26, 2018

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    It should have a bezel?

    Yeah......nope.

    There is no way a bezel can fit on that watch.
     
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  3. R3D9 Apr 26, 2018

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    That would be a very odd-shaped bezel.
     
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  4. adi4 Apr 26, 2018

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    Agree, I don't see how or where the bezel would really pop on...

    Here's a picture of an Oceanographer ad on an eBay listing where it doesn't have a bezel and the crown looks similar:

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Apr 27, 2018

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    No missing bezel, I believe. If there were, you would not see the odd-shaped base around the dial. Here's one of mine without a bezel...

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Apr 27, 2018

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    Looks to me like it has it's bezel firmly in place.

    35DA91FB-8C87-4407-B0BB-CC73CB91072F.jpeg
     
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