
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulova Snorkel Skindiver (Ref. 386-1) “666 Feet”, 1964
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova (maker)
- Date
- 1964
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- BLV3681
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BLV3681)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1964 Bulova Snorkel Skindiver (Ref. 386-1) “666 Feet” (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BLV3681), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated 1964. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 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. This 1964 Bulova Snorkel ref. 386-1 skindiver has all of the elements we love about the mid to early "Golden Era" spec divers. Not only has it aged to reflect a beautiful patina, it's a devilishly attractive watch...hosting an occult inspired depth rating of 666 feet. The esoteric rating is matched with a mysterious engraving on the back that reads 'Anderson, Walter M. - 1965' with matching 'WMA' initials lightly engraved on the bezel, which may be a possible inidcation of militray service from the original owner. SPECS Stock # BLV3681 Brand Bulova Style Diver Model 368- 1 Serial M4 Size Men's Material SS Dial Black Millimeters 36mm Bracelet 2pc Tropic Rubber Strap CASE & BRACELET The strong case retains full and symmetrical lugs that show honest wear signs of use. The bi-directional ratching bezel remains in excellent condition with light signs of use, and the top marker matches the dial lume coloration, while showing minor lume loss. The "Bulova" signed crown is original to the watch. The factory case back engravings are crisp, and the text "Anderson; Walter M, 3700368, 1965" is hand engraved, which is a possible indication for military service of the original owner. "WMA" is also faintly inscribed between the 15 and 30 markers of the bezel. The watch will come supplied on an era correct 2pc tropic rubber strap. DIAL & HANDS The original black lacquer dial remains remarkably smooth, glossy and in even condition. The lume of this dial has taken on a beautiful deep golden yellow patina that is even throughout, showing no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium sword hands match the dial nicely, under U.V. light inspection the lume in both the hour and minute hands remains stable but does show some light lume loss. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is running at spec and is in perfect working condition.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Dive and water-resistant watches
Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.
Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.
What to look for
- Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
- Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
- Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
- Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.
Dating clues
- Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
- Professional dive watches: from 1953.
- Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.
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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