I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

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pacifichrono
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I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by pacifichrono » Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:20 pm

I bought this Bulova Caravelle diver in Sioux City, Iowa in late 1966 to endure the monsoons and jungles of Vietnam. It did that IN SPADES! Until today, the back had never been off this watch - - that's 45 years without any servicing, and it still keeps excellent time!

I brought it to my master watchmaker, Richard Rogers, today to have him open it up for the first time - - just for a look-see. I had tried opening it a few times in the past with my crude hand-operated caseback opener, but I couldn't budge it. I only succeeded in scratching it up a bit.

Well, my Caravelle was no match for the professional equipment of Richard's.

So, here are a few pictures of my Caravelle diver - - with the movement never having seen the light of day since LBJ was president. You'll note the Bulova date coding of "M6" (1966) on both the movement and case back.

The final photo is of me wearing the Caravelle with the original bracelet in early 1967.

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Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
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andrema
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by andrema » Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:26 pm

Looks great!
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River Rat
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by River Rat » Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:28 pm

Being that you used it in Vietnam a very humid climate that watch held up dam good that movement is clean no moisture never got in there.I do think it's about time you get that baby serviced.

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rockmastermike
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by rockmastermike » Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:51 pm

cool story and tough as hell watch.

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pacifichrono
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by pacifichrono » Sat Jan 08, 2011 4:18 pm

rockmastermike wrote:...tough as hell watch.
You got that right! :thumbsup:
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
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demer03
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by demer03 » Sat Jan 08, 2011 4:24 pm

That makes it even cooler...it has a history to it. :thumbsup:
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matt.wu
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by matt.wu » Sat Jan 08, 2011 4:41 pm

Fantastic!
:htfu:

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randyswagon
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by randyswagon » Sat Jan 08, 2011 4:46 pm

Looks like it's new as the day you got it . . . inside. This is where the term Wabi has great meaning!!!! :love:
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polaco23
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by polaco23 » Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:03 pm

doesnt get much better than that in terms of owner history. :salute:

and saying im impressed it held up that well in Vietnam of all places, well that would be an understatement. :grin:

KICK-ASS.
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HalifaxNS
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by HalifaxNS » Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:27 pm

A bad ass vintage for sure :thumbsup: , the watch is tough too.

I remember that shot of you on the sand, I thought it was cool how you still have the watch after all those years, cant buy that. Good to see its still kick'n and looking as good as ever.
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Jamie
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by Jamie » Sat Jan 08, 2011 5:32 pm

Man great story.

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vbuskirk
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by vbuskirk » Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:52 pm

Noice. The movement looks as good as a Rolex. ;)
Chris

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matt.wu
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by matt.wu » Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:54 pm

vbuskirk wrote:Noice. The movement looks as good as a Rolex. ;)
Not saying much. :lol: :banplz:
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by SCM64 » Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:05 pm

Damn. :shock: Looks amazing for having never been touched. Very cool that you have been "buddies" for so long. Well done. :cheers:
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by BSears » Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:30 pm

Damn Tom, cool watch and even better story. I can't believe that one survived the humidity of Vietnam. Outstanding history with that watch.:clap:
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toxicavenger
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by toxicavenger » Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:45 am

Cool story and badass watch!

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TVDinner
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by TVDinner » Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:50 am

The worst situation my watches have been through is changing a dirty diaper of one of my kids. lol
That watch is WAY cooler. What a history to it.
Very interestestin to actually know where a watch has been for the past 45 years.

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dukerules
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by dukerules » Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:54 am

Cool story. They built that one to last.

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mattcantwin
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by mattcantwin » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:40 am

Seems that you have held up as well as the watch! :thumbsup:
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hobbit712
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by hobbit712 » Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:46 am

Awesome story! The movement looks great considering what it has been through.

I notice that is says Japan on the movement. Did Caravelle have Seiko or some other watch company help with their movements?
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Ron Jr
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by Ron Jr » Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:54 am

Movement looks great, please have it serviced but never have the reat of it restored. My Uncle did three tours in 'Nam he wore a Zodiac Seawolf. He still has it and it looks as used as yours.
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Northwestguy
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by Northwestguy » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:36 am

I am amazed at how the insides look and that it functioned so well after 45 years. Are todays watches that well built and enduring?
John

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pacifichrono
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by pacifichrono » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:54 am

mattcantwin wrote:Seems that you have held up as well as the watch! :thumbsup:
I wish!
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
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pacifichrono
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by pacifichrono » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:09 am

hobbit712 wrote:I notice that is says Japan on the movement. Did Caravelle have Seiko or some other watch company help with their movements?
I asked my master watchmaker, Richard Rogers, about this. He told me that Bulova contracted with Japan's Citizen to produce low-cost movements for its budget Caravelle line. Caravelle became a very strong seller back in the day, and Citizen was satisfied with its U.S. presence through the partnership it had with Bulova.

During the Vietnam war many U.S. servicemen returned home with Seiko watches they had bought in the Orient, creating a demand for Seiko watches here in America. Not wanting to lose lucrative U.S. sales to its main competitor, Citizen launched its own direct export program, resulting today in Citizen watches being owned by virtually every man, woman, and child in the U.S. :lol:
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
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poppydog
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...

Post by poppydog » Sun Jan 09, 2011 8:33 am

What a great post and great history. It's especially interesting because of your experiences. Thanks for sharing.
Regards

Steve

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