Here is an extremely rare piece, the Bulova Mil-Ships-W-2181. This watch was an experimental design that never actually went into production, other than the handful (supposedly around half a dozen at first) of original test pieces sent to the military for testing in the field.
After the military passed on the production of this model, the test subjects were given to divers in the Navy for regular use.
Only six complete watches, and one empty case are known. This one, found by Gregory Senior on the Dominican Republic recently, is the sixth known. Mr. Senior has given me permission to use his images for this thread, and for that I thank him.
As can be seen, it has a movement marked L7 for 1957, the 10BPCHN. (if anyone has one of these, or have heard of one, I can find a buyer!).
This example is no.299, as can be seen on both the case back and the movement. (This number on the case back and movement may have some meaning for other dive watches on this site too.)
The inner brass dome (pic 6) is not a dust cover, but is used in conjunction with the cicular movement spring to hold the movement in place, and being thick brass has anti-magnetic properties too. This feature is seen on other military watches like the A-11, A17-A and others.
One of these watches has been seen in popular auction for mid five figures, for a watch missing it's complete bezel! This price shows how much these models are cherished by military collectors, and complete like this may fetch considerably more.
The watch is all original, except for a crown replacement.
Enjoy guys and gals.
All photographs by Greg Senior.
In reply to I think we could counterfeit by 1955mercury
http://meranom.com/amphibian-se/420se/vostok-watch-amphibian-se-420725bb.htmlOR you could just buy a VOSTOK amphibian classic. IT looks practically the same. It uses the same two piece caseback.
No info on the movt in any of the usual sources. Rare as rare can be.
What we do know is that this is one of Bulova's own movts, from the 10BP. 10.5''' with the sweep second. The only thing incongruous I find about this example is the hands, they look completely wrong.
In reply to Hello. I'm curious, on the… by BCenney
Wow I totally missed this entry. Didn't even know it existed on the site.
Bulova have now reproduced this iconic watch for us all to enjoy: Bulova Unveils Rare Mil-Ships Dive Watch | myBulova.com
Dive watches of the late 50s were usually made with acrylic crystals, which would flex but not break. My 100 atmosphere (1000 m) Squale has an acrylic crystal and dates to 1959.
Radium was used until the mid sixties by some companies, and you can find it used in electric alarm clocks until the late 70s. Tritium was available in the 50s, most famously used by Panerai in the 'Luminor' series of dive watches, but it's use was limited. It is possible that the Bulova here is Radium, but we just don't know. It wouldn't be unusual if it was, and I strongly suspect it is. Being a mIlitary issue watch, it is also very likely the hash marks would be luminous as well as the hands with the large cavities for the luminous compound.
Hey everyone,
Thank you for putting up this site! I found it while researching my Dad's watch which he gave to me before he died 20 years ago. I wore it to honor him at my Mom's COL last week and became curious. I found this site and have posted pictures in an attempt to learn more. It might be #7!
I had it cleaned and it works fine, the luminescence does not shine very brightly, but I now know what the little patches are (litmus) thanks to you.
My Dad was OIC of EODU1 based in Hawaii in 1957 and took part in many types of breathing apparatus experiments, including some of the first SCUBA tests. He also was awarded several citations times. So it would make sense that he would have been given one of these watches. Unfortunately I can't ask him!
Best,
John Kennedy
