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Bulova Snorkel diver from 1965
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gostang9
·I bought similar and like it very much. I had mine serviced by a highly reputable watchmaker, what do you know about the watchmaker who did the "overhaul" in April? If it was done by the same watchmaker I used, I would jump all over that for under $1k... but if not, might still need a lot to be in top working condition.
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janice&fred
·That original bracelet is a huge plus. I didn't realize these things got so valuable as I thought the expensive ones were the Doxa-like style oceanographers. However an early 1965 example like that is certainly going to be hard to come by.
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Sukurux
·I bought similar and like it very much. I had mine serviced by a highly reputable watchmaker, what do you know about the watchmaker who did the "overhaul" in April? If it was done by the same watchmaker I used, I would jump all over that for under $1k... but if not, might still need a lot to be in top working condition.
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Dan S
·That bracelet doesn't seem to fit very well (the end-links appear to have the wrong curvature), so I doubt it's original. Given the degradation of the dial, it would have to be WAY under $1k for me.
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Sukurux
·
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JwRosenthal
·Here’s mine for comparison
There were apparently 2 makers of these bracelets, Kreisler and JBC- mine is JBC. There is also a high profile link and low profile link. The endlinks were made to fit a few different models apparently, but they are 17.5mm and we’re never a perfect fit.
Here is an original ad showing the bracelet
There were apparently 2 makers of these bracelets, Kreisler and JBC- mine is JBC. There is also a high profile link and low profile link. The endlinks were made to fit a few different models apparently, but they are 17.5mm and we’re never a perfect fit.
Here is an original ad showing the bracelet
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Sukurux
·Here’s mine for comparison
There were apparently 2 makers of these bracelets, Kreisler and JBC- mine is JBC. There is also a high profile link and low profile link. The endlinks were made to fit a few different models apparently, but they are 17.5mm and we’re never a perfect fit.
Here is an original ad showing the bracelet
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JwRosenthal
·Thanks for the useful info! His is a JBC as well. Here are some more photos the actual bracelet. Definitely not a great fit given those gaps.
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JwRosenthal
·Oh, and the clasp cover should have the tuning fork- which means either that was a JBC bracelet in the same style matched to that watch later, or the clasp cover was replaced. The correct covers aren’t cheap and not easy to find on their own- but that wouldn’t keep me from buying a watch, just something to look out for down the line.
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Sukurux
·Oh, and the clasp cover should have the tuning fork- which means either that was a JBC bracelet in the same style matched to that watch later, or the clasp cover was replaced. The correct covers aren’t cheap and not easy to find on their own- but that wouldn’t keep me from buying a watch, just something to look out for down the line.
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gostang9
·That bracelet doesn't seem to fit very well (the end-links appear to have the wrong curvature), so I doubt it's original. Given the degradation of the dial, it would have to be WAY under $1k for me.
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JwRosenthal
·After all the work and parts I have into mine, to get it sorted out, I am probably at about $800 with service considering I didn’t know what to look for when I bought it (had wrong crown, wrong crystal, wrong date wheel). Luckily I had condition on my side and I love the watch, so it was worth the investment to me despite it going above street value. I wouldn’t sell mine under $1k (at all actually) even though they trade for less.
That said, I agree with Dan about the OP’s watch. Although the lume is great, the moisture speckling on the dial is a love or hate thing- I cant take dial degradation so I would pass on it regardless of price.
If I didn’t have an issue with the dial damage, lacking a service but running- I would say value would be around $6-700 with that bracelet, $4-500 without. My understanding of value is based on what I see these sell for in consistent completed eBay auctions- not the random spike every now and then that makes one raise an eyebrow.
That said, I agree with Dan about the OP’s watch. Although the lume is great, the moisture speckling on the dial is a love or hate thing- I cant take dial degradation so I would pass on it regardless of price.
If I didn’t have an issue with the dial damage, lacking a service but running- I would say value would be around $6-700 with that bracelet, $4-500 without. My understanding of value is based on what I see these sell for in consistent completed eBay auctions- not the random spike every now and then that makes one raise an eyebrow.
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JwRosenthal
·I should also note- that the “value” I am assessing on my watch does not include the hours I spent tracking down the correct crystal, crown and date wheel over the course of months (for which I had to buy a complete watch with the same movement to get the date wheel- luckily Bulova used this movement in a few other models), and my watchmaker didn’t charge me to install the aforementioned parts after he had already done the serviced initially.
There are lots of hidden costs in getting a vintage watch straitened out- if you care enough to do it.
There are lots of hidden costs in getting a vintage watch straitened out- if you care enough to do it.
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Syrte
·That original bracelet is a huge plus. I didn't realize these things got so valuable as I thought the expensive ones were the Doxa-like style oceanographers. However an early 1965 example like that is certainly going to be hard to come by.
Clearly the seller has high expectation - does it mean that’s what the watch is worth?
Asking price doesn’t mean market price.
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janice&fred
·does it mean that’s what the watch is worth?
Asking price doesn’t mean market price.
Oh it certainly does to those that own them but I never let the internet establish true value for me. 😁
Chances are I will come across some here in my Connecticut treasure hunting for 1/3 that price and definitely once the Chelsea weekend flea markets open back up in Manhattan. This tri-state area is Bulova country.
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Syrte
·Actually- scrap what I said, it wasn’t the same watch. Still outrageously priced.
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Tony C.
··Ωf Jury memberOh, and the clasp cover should have the tuning fork-
Why would a non-tuning fork movement watch feature such a claps? Having said that, I am, like others, skeptical that an "original" bracelet would feature incorrect end-pieces.
In any case, well overpriced in my view.
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JwRosenthal
·I asked the same question of a well known Bulova expert here when I got mine and apparently it was just the logo they were using on the early 60’s bracelets after they released the tuning fork (I assume as the logo was a point of pride for the entire company). After thinking about it, it dawned on me that any of the “Bulova” marked clasps I had seen were all from later models.
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pIoNeErOfThEnILe
·i think it's overpriced.
1k can go a long way in the vintage skin diver market. you can get very nice condition different models in the 6 range.
1k can go a long way in the vintage skin diver market. you can get very nice condition different models in the 6 range.
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