I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
- pacifichrono
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I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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.
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.
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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.
- rockmastermike
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
cool story and tough as hell watch.
- pacifichrono
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
You got that right!rockmastermike wrote:...tough as hell watch.
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
That makes it even cooler...it has a history to it.
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Fantastic!
- randyswagon
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Looks like it's new as the day you got it . . . inside. This is where the term Wabi has great meaning!!!!
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
doesnt get much better than that in terms of owner history.
and saying im impressed it held up that well in Vietnam of all places, well that would be an understatement.
KICK-ASS.
and saying im impressed it held up that well in Vietnam of all places, well that would be an understatement.
KICK-ASS.
- HalifaxNS
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
A bad ass vintage for sure , 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.
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...
Man great story.
Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Not saying much.vbuskirk wrote:Noice. The movement looks as good as a Rolex.
- SCM64
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Damn. Looks amazing for having never been touched. Very cool that you have been "buddies" for so long. Well done.
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Damn Tom, cool watch and even better story. I can't believe that one survived the humidity of Vietnam. Outstanding history with that watch.
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- toxicavenger
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Cool story and badass watch!
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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.
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.
Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Cool story. They built that one to last.
- mattcantwin
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
Seems that you have held up as well as the watch!
Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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?
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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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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
- pacifichrono
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
I wish!mattcantwin wrote:Seems that you have held up as well as the watch!
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
- pacifichrono
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
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.hobbit712 wrote:I notice that is says Japan on the movement. Did Caravelle have Seiko or some other watch company help with their movements?
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.
Regards from Sunny San Diego.............Tom
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Re: I deflowered my Caravelle Diver today...
What a great post and great history. It's especially interesting because of your experiences. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Steve
Steve
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