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MIL-SHIP BULOVA

tad
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I’ve been looking for daily beater and wanted something with a vintage look. I’m a fan of vintage divers, in particular Blancpain and Tornek-Rayville. I missed out on the Tornek revival TR-660 but then came across an article around the MIL SHIP reissue from Bulova…
https://www.watchtime.com/reviews/r...ge-military-inspired-bulova-mil-ships-w-2181/
https://www.watchtime.com/reviews/r...ge-military-inspired-bulova-mil-ships-w-2181/

This spiked my curiosity so decided to investigate further but others things took over and by the time I got back into it they had sold out. Anyhow I recently had another search and a obscure jeweller had one in stock so I jumped on it. I went for the standard version as didn’t think the price tag for limited edition warranted the extras.

I’ve not been able to get this off my wrist since it arrived last week. I just love the true to original design, including the 16mm strap and the push down rotating bezel. There’s a lot of negative press about the sizing but the aesthetic of the double dome is well worth it. Appreciate there might be some stigma attached to the Bulova brand but if you are into vintage divers then for the money this is a quality buy.

Here’s a couple of pics…

4E96BAA2-31A6-4B0A-8ACB-D38F9A4B506A.jpeg 6E4983FA-59CB-4A4F-A900-F92EACAB0779.jpeg
 
Larry S
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I think its a great looking piece. I think the only “stigma” attached to Bulova is their lack of focus right now, vs other brands in their space. This constitutes “getting the heritage thing right” for them.
 
bombaywalla
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very nice looking watch. definitely a Fifty Fathoms look.uses a miyota 90xx movement if i remember correctly?
 
NGO1
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That’s a whole lotta watch and history for the money. This mil ship is closer to vintage FF than recently released FFs.
 
JwRosenthal
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Couldn’t agree more. This is a spectacular watch in every way. All the negative comments are from people (including watch media) who don’t understand this watch and are trying to compare it to modern watches- this is not a “modern”watch. This is very purposely built to a specific style based on historic design specs from Bulova’s archive. This is not a modern interpretation- this is a strait reissue and they absolutely nailed it.
9EE63381-A423-4A17-B051-CD55BCBC9323.jpeg


Also, anyone who says this is a FF “homage” does not know their history. Rayville won the contract, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t other companies competing to meet the Mil-spec. Bulova made it further than anyone else at the time- and this is that watch.

I also own 2 of the Hack series and again, they knocked them out of the park. I own the original 3818A the hack series is based on and they absolutely nailed the proportions in terms of upsizing the original and not screwing up the details.
BFB35D7C-FEF2-4199-8DD4-A23482698E98.jpeg B5DE2362-BA21-4093-AA74-D840806B1E0C.jpeg 6D314236-898E-4ADC-B5A8-95EEB824B0CE.jpeg


I love what Bulova is doing and these watches are upstaging some heavy hitters in my collection for getting daily wear.
 
Larry S
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If I had not already sprung for the two Aquascaphes from Baltic, I’d have gone for this.
 
JwRosenthal
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Larry S Larry S
If I had not already sprung for the two Aquascaphes from Baltic, I’d have gone for this.
They pop up used at a discount. Lots of people asking above MSRP (sold out does not mean LE). I got mine for a steal, you just need to be watching for them and have fast fingers. 16mm strap options are abundant as well as vintage bracelets. All the people poo-poo’ing the 16mm drilled lugs clearly don’t have a vintage collection and a bin of 16mm straps and bracelets to compliment them.
 
JwRosenthal
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For anyone interested- Jarod (“the galleria of fine jewelry” 🙄) apparently has them in stock at $671 compared to close to $900 from the Dink
https://www.jared.com/bulova-limited-edition-milships-mens-watch-98a266/p/V-270953704

Plus they offer a $25 coupon to sign up for email (which you can easily unsub from immediately after buying). At around $650, it’s a lot of watch for the money. I’ve seen them around $5-550 used if you are patient.
 
Fritz
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Bulova seems to be doing a good job of raiding their own history right now. I’ve picked up the rereleases of the Devil Diver (Oceanographer) and the A15A and both are good solid accurate timepieces with Miyota movements. For the price I couldn’t be happier.
 
JwRosenthal
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Fritz Fritz
Bulova seems to be doing a good job of raiding their own history right now. I’ve picked up the rereleases of the Devil Diver (Oceanographer) and the A15A and both are good solid accurate timepieces with Miyota movements. For the price I couldn’t be happier.
The A15 is on my list to round out the collection. They come up cheapish on the used market so am just patiently waiting.

How do you feel about the size. I’m apprehensive at 42mm, but the double internal bezels look like they would make it feel smaller on the wrist. I assume it wears much like a Navitmer since the design concept is similar.
 
Dsloan
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I've been a fan of the Bulova reissues as well. Vintage style, but I don't have to be afraid of wrecking an increasingly rare vintage watch. Had fun with this one today.

PXL_20220501_180409260~2.jpg
 
JwRosenthal
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Fritz
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
The A15 is on my list to round out the collection. They come up cheapish on the used market so am just patiently waiting.

How do you feel about the size. I’m apprehensive at 42mm, but the double internal bezels look like they would make it feel smaller on the wrist. I assume it wears much like a Navitmer since the design concept is similar.
Its got a really really narrow bezel, so it wears reasonably well... even on a skinny ass guy like me!
 
JwRosenthal
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Fritz Fritz
Its got a really really narrow bezel, so it wears reasonably well... even on a skinny ass guy like me!
Pics please.
 
josiahg52
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I like it. My only concern is the 16mm lug width. Not the end of the world but I am a larger man and I've never worn a watch proportioned like that. I still really like the look and story. It's on my list.
 
Fritz
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Pics please.
Sorry... i’m not blessed with capable equipment at present. I’ll post pictures tomorrow.

of the watch that is...

not my skinny ass....
 
Waltesefalcon
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josiahg52 josiahg52
I like it. My only concern is the 16mm lug width. Not the end of the world but I am a larger man and I've never worn a watch proportioned like that. I still really like the look and story. It's on my list.
How big of a guy are you? I'm not small myself, 6' and 190lbs, and I only wear vintage watches many of which have 16mm or 5/8" straps. They present very nicely on the wrist, at least in my opinion.
 
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