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

  1. bristnj Dec 26, 2023

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    Bulova had some of the best watch advertising back in the late 60’s and early 70’s! - 1969 Caravelle Sea Hunter (by Bulova) Ref. 41585 - powered by Carvelle Signed 11DP (Citizen 0241) 17J manual wind movement. Fitted on the "HOLY GRAIL" of Caravelle bracelets, the full coffin link by Bulova with Caravelle signed clasp! Not overly expensive back in 1969 at $29.95, but supercool to see this Playboy advertisement which references picking one up at the PX!
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  2. jantjewgm Dec 27, 2023

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    Still happy with mine! Love the dial and hands design
     
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  3. hmmmcamu Jan 22, 2024

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    ...
     
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  4. river rat Feb 4, 2024

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  5. hmmmcamu Feb 4, 2024

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  6. hmmmcamu Feb 19, 2024

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    1973 BULOVA DEEP SEA 666FEET CHRONOGRAPHE "B" ...
    with Tropical Dial (chocolate brown black and mustard yellow tritium lume)

     
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    Edited Feb 20, 2024
  7. hmmmcamu Feb 20, 2024

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    1969 (M9) BULOVA SNORKEL 666 FEET oceanographer "G"
    paired with vintage JB Champion USA expandable bracelet (aka: NASA bracelet)

    This Bulova Oceanographer is brought to you fresh from 666 feet underwater.

    Before it leaves the factory, every single Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel is tested under 666 feet of water pressure in our special pressure tank, where it stays “down” a minimum of five minutes.
    It goes from the tank straight onto a hotplate for another torture period. If even the least bit of moisture gets in, it shows up as for on the crystal.
    So in testing the Snorkel’s water resistance, we learn how it stands up to dust and the desert heat as well.
    Bulova Oceanographer watches must pass other tests. A drop test for shock.
    A final check to see if the knocking around has caused it to vary more than 60 seconds in 24 hours. If it has, we got back and start over.
    An ordinary watch would never make it through the tests a Bulova Snorkel has to pass before we’ll call it new.

    (from vintage Bulova advert.)








     
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    Edited Feb 20, 2024
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  8. Lancaster Feb 24, 2024

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    Is the crown with BULOVA on it correct for this watch?
     
  9. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    PARTs REF NUMBERS ...........

    Movement ref.# 17 Jewel 11BLACD Date only BULOVA SWISS IN HOUSE MOVEMENT
    both Automatic and Perpetual manual wind
    unadjusted, non hacking



     
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    Edited Feb 24, 2024
  10. Lancaster Feb 24, 2024

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    Yes, the 386-3w is what I've read is correct for that case. But it has the tuning fork symbol on it while yours is a 386-3 with BULOVA on it. From what I've seen that crown is correct for the 7095 case, no?
     
  11. Lancaster Feb 24, 2024

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    The 386-3 seems more appropriate. I have 3 of these watches, one with the 386-3, one with 386-3w, plus one with an unsigned crown but otherwise seeming correct.
     
  12. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    that (tuning fork) is meant for an ACCUTRON model, Bulova used interchangeable parts but in this instance branded for the watch model it is meant to be paired with, same crown but it does not mean it is meant for a diver, unless it is an accutron deep sea diver model, then it is also waterproof
     
  13. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    the "W" ........... means watertite (old term waterproof) meant to be used for diver watch
     
  14. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    note photo above,, case holder for the crown states SNORKEL means it is waterproof crown for a divers
     
  15. Lancaster Feb 24, 2024

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    So the 386-3w came in both BULOVA variants as well as with the tuning fork?
     
  16. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    that (tuning fork) is meant for an ACCUTRON model, Bulova used interchangeable parts but in this instance branded for the watch model it is meant to be paired with, same crown but it does not mean it is meant for a diver, unless it is an accutron deep sea diver model, then it is also waterproof
     
  17. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    SNOKEL divers with mechanical movements use crowns stamped BULOVA, accutron watches use crowns with the ACCUTRON LOGO
     
  18. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    PARTS CHART FROM BULOVA for 11BLACD ........... note red arrow indicates divers watches using this movement uses the waterproof crown 386-3w
     
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  19. Lancaster Feb 24, 2024

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    Thank you, I have seen this chart. Any supplier photos I've seen with this part number have had the tuning fork on it. Which you're saying is correct, that crowns for Bulova divers and Accutron divers both had that part number but appeared differently.
     
  20. hmmmcamu Feb 24, 2024

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    SNORKEL G with 386-3w it is meant to use.

    BULOVA stamped crowns are meant for mechanical movements.

    ACCUTRON crowns are meant for accutron (tuning fork) watches
     
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