
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel "M", 1969
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova (maker)
- Date
- 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 39 mm
- Stock no.
- BLVOS
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BLVOS)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1969 Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel "M" (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BLVOS), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated 1969. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 39 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The vintage Bulova obsession in the watch community is very real and here to stay! The unique and funky watches that Bulova made from the 60s-80s are always a cause for conversation. Ranging from colorful diving chronographs to eccentric electric watches like the famous Accutron. Bulova is no stranger when it comes to diving watches and many of the models Bulova has created are nicknamed "Devil Diver's" in reference to their ominous depth ratings which read 666 ft. However, their designs are loved for their often bright color pallets and unique case shapes. The Oceanographer Snorkel "M" was one of Bulovas premier watches, advertised to be able to withstand extreme conditions and be the perfect everyday watch for adventurers, we couldn't agree more! SPECS Stock # BLVOS Brand Bulova Style Oceanographer Model Snorkel 666 ft. Serial A3XXXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Matte Black Millimeters 39mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The wonderful stainless steel case has been lightly polished in the past, showing some light signs of use. The bakelite blue and red "Pepsi" bezel is in remarkable condition showing no cracking and almost no signs of use. The case retains its original "Bulova" signed crown. The caseback displays all of its original factory engravings. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The two-tone silver and metallic blue crosshair dial with concentric brushing is brilliant. The dial itself is in excellent vintage condition showing some light signs of aging. The tritium lume plots have aged to a warm sandy coloration and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands have aged to a darker patina and under U.V. light inspection the hour hand shows some minor degradation but remains in overall good condition and the minute hand remains fully intact. The date wheel is era correct with all red numerals. ACCESSORIES
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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