VINTAGE BULOVA Divers 666ft. ... the devil diver ...

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BULOVA DEEP SEA CHRONOGRAPH 666ft. " B "
BEZEL and BEZEL SPRING

this watch " MUST " use ... Bulova Crystal REF# 825AW ... or correct substitute
for the bezel to be mounted and secured to the watch case ref.# 895 a generic diver crystal will not do ...

The crystal is an armée type and requires the right press and die. Also, the bezel can be damaged if you remove it the wrong way. These have thin wires that either create tension to prevent free-turning, or hold the bezel in place. The wire is easily distorted and not easily fixed.
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Lovely! The 5 empty slots above should go something like this:

I keep contemplating the red/black bezel day/date devil diver, but then feel that the red/black chrono scratches that itch. And as much as I admire the Super Seville (I saw a gorgeous green dial not so long ago) at 36mm it's just too small for my wrist. 🙁
 
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I keep contemplating the red/black bezel day/date devil diver, but then feel that the red/black chrono scratches that itch. And as much as I admire the Super Seville (I saw a gorgeous green dial not so long ago) at 36mm it's just too small for my wrist. 🙁

1973 BULOVA SNORKEL 666ft. Day and Date with friend

just for perspective ... both are @ 41MM
 
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BULOVA DEEP SEA CHRONOGRAPH 666ft. " B "
BEZEL and BEZEL SPRING

this watch " MUST " use ... Bulova Crystal REF# 825AW ... or correct substitute
for the bezel to be mounted and secured to the watch case ref.# 895 a generic diver crystal will not do ...

The crystal is an armée type and requires the right press and die. Also, the bezel can be damaged if you remove it the wrong way. These have thin wires that either create tension to prevent free-turning, or hold the bezel in place. The wire is easily distorted and not easily fixed.

I tried to hunt an original bezel for mine to no avail. Fortunately whatever one I’ve got on here (no idea what it originally belonged to), fits perfectly. It doesn’t turn, but at least the watch doesn’t look naked!
 
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Bulova’s School of Watchmaking

Bulova’s commitment to soldiers who fought for freedom did not expire with the end of the war. In 1945, Arde Bulova, son of Joseph Bulova, founded the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking. The purpose of the tuition-free school was to offer disabled veterans a means of rehabilitation, combined with master watchmaking skills and dedicated job placement.

https://www.bulova.com/us/en/veterans-watchmaker.html

https://www.facebook.com/256057874516317/videos/188341021305074
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That's a great story and classy move by Bulova!! I like the brand even more now! (I just need to find their bigger watch offerings, i.e. case size >38mm).

Thanks for sharing!
 
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That's a great story and classy move by Bulova!! I like the brand even more now! (I just need to find their bigger watch offerings, i.e. case size >38mm).

Thanks for sharing!

U might like this then ?

1970s BULOVA MARINE STAR
Dimensions: 43mm diameter; 13.4mm thickness
Valjoux 7731
image borrowed from cyberspace


This watch has a screw-down crown and case. The caseback has an interesting design with an anchor on top of a ship's wheel. The white seconds hand adds good contrast to the dial for enhanced legibility. The Marine Star has a strong resemblance to the 1960s Zenith Cairelli CP-2 Chronograph designed for the Italian Air Force. This watch if memory serves is made of dead inventory parts from HEUER [BUND WATCH} when they went belly up.
 
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Oh boy!! And so a new hunt begins!! Lol!

I just saw a couple of beauties on Chrono24 but at >$6k I'm going to have to keep looking. Beautiful Valjoux 7731 movements though! 😀
 
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For comparison purpose

02082010.jpg

including bits and parts

1ed9a310.jpg

779fd710.jpg

img_6014.jpg
 
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A recent, and very rare acquisition for me now, but NEVER say NEVER, people!!!

Sometimes Condition overrides all discipline.

And a shout out to Larry S for his knowledge and guidance, but in NO WAY can I assign ANY blame to him for my backslide.


I placed it on a Forstner reissue bracelet that was the correct lug size......but a bonus: it originally had a vintage JB Champion 19mm Komfit Mesh also in excellent condition.
Edited:
 
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A recent, and very rare acquisition for me now, but NEVER say NEVER, people!!!

Sometimes Condition overrides all discipline.

And a shout out to Larry S for his knowledge and guidance, but in NO WAY can I assign ANY blame to him for my backslide.


I place it on a Forstner reissue bracelet that was the correct lug size......but a bonus: it originally had a vintage JB Champion 19mm Komfit Mesh also in excellent condition.

awesome ........ BULOVA DEEP SEA CHRONOGRAPH 666ft. " C " ..... well done !!!!
 
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In need of a pile of tlc, but the Red grabbed me by the lapels….




Service crown? Anyone know what I should be looking for as an original?
 
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In need of a pile of tlc, but the Red grabbed me by the lapels….




Service crown? Anyone know what I should be looking for as an original?

Replacement crown on ur watch, probably compatible NON BULOVA crown, and ur seconds sweep hands is also OFF ... These models housed the 21,600 beat per hour 11AOACB motor, which features quickset date functionality (by pulling the crown all the way out from the closed position) see photos attached for BULOVA water tight crown [images borrowed from cyber space] , shared with u movement ref. info and a photo of cse ref# below it should help u in cross referencing info for crown.

u should join a wrist watch page on FACEBOOK dedicated to Vintage Bulova 666ft. divers attached link to group page .... https://www.facebook.com/groups/208317149698549
Edited:
 
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Replacement crown on ur watch, probably compatible NON BULOVA crown, and ur seconds sweep hands is also OFF ... These models housed the 21,600 beat per hour 11AOACB motor, which features quickset date functionality (by pulling the crown all the way out from the closed position) see photos attached for BULOVA water tight crown [images borrowed from cyber space] , shared with u movement ref. info and a photo of cse ref# below it should help u in cross referencing info for crown.

u should join a wrist watch page on FACEBOOK dedicated to Vintage Bulova 666ft. divers attached link to group page .... https://www.facebook.com/groups/208317149698549

Top info, thanks.

I will get one of my Facebook grandchildren on the case!!
 
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BULOVA - ACCUTRON - CARAVELLE
HAND STYLE REFERENCE GUIDE

Minute / Hour / Seconds/ and Center Seconds Baton [aka hands]