Hands On Bulova MIL SHIPS W 2181 Limited Edition Swiss Made Automatic Vintage Diver Bulova Mil Ships
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- Опубліковано 7 вер 2021
- Hands On Bulova MIL SHIPS W 2181 Limited Edition Swiss Made Automatic Vintage Diver Bulova Mil Ships
Link to this Limited Edition on the Bulova website - www.bulova.com/us/en/product/...
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Wonderful tribute to original (1957) GREAT Watch
Beautifull design. Great history. They were smart to dig in there own orology. Seiko do it to. Why not repeat the past if it brings joy to us, consumers.
hey Chris, I just purchased the regular model for $725 usd taxes inc. what a great looking watch in person. I wasn't even looking for a watch but as soon as i seen this one I knew I had to have it. I agree with everything you said about this watch in your review. keep up the great work
I have been close to pulling the trigger on several Bulovas recently, but none have fully convinced me. I really wanted the anniversary version of the Curv - but the price was just a bit too high. I feel this one is in a similar boat for me. For $1500-2000 you have to really be completely in love with this I suppose.
Fantastic to see this video, after seeing the first news video you did I got in touch with the local AD and waiting to get mine shortly ( non limited) I’m a sucker for vintage vibes 😎
I know I am a nerd for this, but I love the fact that the phrase "a rock or something" happened in your review of this mil watch. Lol
love your enthusiasm and the backstory of this watch is wicked cool. the 16mm lug width gives the watch its own look and i love it. as for the price, my one word of advice is patience; you'll find it for less sooner or later. the original price is for fans and i respect that. man i sound so upbeat and positive today!
I agree I almost bought the cheaper but I'm hoping after all the buzz dies down we should be able to get the one with the miyota movment for$ 400-500 I bought the Devil Diver Bright Orange for $450 .
Hoy día está en 500 euros en Amazon españa
I like that they did not change a thing other than the modern movements in both watches. I did order the limited edition one as well. I think it will make for a good conversation piece.
Such a cool watch with a lot of history behind it.
Just bought mine (the swiss version) for $1400 in 18 interest free payments. Will receive it by the end of the week. I wasn't paying 2k but 1.4k sounded reasonable.
Such an awesome watch. Thank you for sharing!
Differences between the standard version i have and the original I know someone who has. Original had once far more effective radium lume, much fatter spring bars, a likely much more effective anti magnetic movement that also requires hand winding, mineral crystal as i recall not saphire, and unit markings on the back no oddball engraving.
Externally quite faithful. I'm quite happy with mine.
Just got mine. It’s a beautiful thing.
Beautiful watch! Mido Ocean Star 600 has the same bezel function, really cool!
I love the appearance of this watch very much.
In particular, I think this exterior is completed because of the width of the 16mm lug.
the tapered line that falls sharply from Case to Lug is art.
This watch looks more beautiful than the Tornek Rayville.(This is a subjective idea.)
But 51mm lug to lug... 50mm is the limit on my wrist.
I like this watch so much that I'm thinking about buying it even if it's too big.
Or I think I should choose Tornek Rayville as the next best option.
Thank you for reviewing this watch.
I'll look forward to your other videos.
nice, the Certina Ds super PH500 has just that kind of bezel ( push down )
That watch is awesome!
It looks great - very proportional - glad they included the 16mm lugs 🚀 - gives the watch a rich vtg vibe. Waiting for it to hit the grey market , the non lim edit @ +or- $500 is a great deal.
$525. on Joma.
A real beauty. 16mm lugs is ok by me as I have a few 16mm lug watches already.
It's very expensive for what you get. There are a lot of watches around the same price or less that offer more for your money.
It does look so beautiful 😍
Wow the dial and bezel are stunning 😍
Yea this is a killer watch
Perfect
The case thickness is different between LE and standard .. the LE is 1.5 mm thicker due to raised motif on the back ,also the standard version does not have full lume bezel -the LE does.
Very very nice watch from Bulova! Nice review too!
I love it. Wish it was half the price.
Very nice looking watch.
love it, can't afford it, gonna wait for the production version
Hey do you have the link for zales
Once a long time ago I had a cell phone with a similar moisture indicator inside.
Anyway, I love the look of this watch. Very nice reissue. The 16 mm lug width kind of turns me off but it did look good on your wrist.
Just curious, how heavy is the watch?
went with the Tornek-Rayville reissue by MKII instead.
Dying to have mine and that 16 mm is perfect to me due my girly wrist size. Great review Chris !
Very beautiful, bummer the 16mm strap though. Great video!
I just ordered the SW200 Limited Edition version - Fifty Fathoms without paying the expensive Blancpain version
huh! that’s a skinny strap 🤔 overall pretty cool. I feel like you never know until you try like i used to wear only 40-42 case and now I only do 36-38, shoot i’ll do a 34mm
I would love to see how the moisture indicator looks like if there is actually moisture inside the watch 🙋
You monster!
@@allyw7405 😊
Great watch
Thanks Kevin!!
Hey Chris , still can't find that Tudor P01 bracelet mod video you promised.
That is coming sorry I will have it up soon.
Cool watch, but the prices are ridiculous. Good video. Thanks.
IMO, they really should have gone with a 9000 series Miyota caliber at this price point.
16mm lugs are still U.S. mil spec. Marathon still uses this width, and still makes 16mm straps. The downside is that I don't know of anyone who makes a MN style strap in 16mm, which is a shame, because a vintage dive watch begs for an MN strap.
Do they have a metal bracelet for this model?
FYI: THE ORIGINAL Bulova "Prototype" Diver Wristwatch, intended for use by the U.D.T. tested in 1959 by the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit, made for the U.S. Navy in 1958. It had a three-body, brushed, screwed ring on the case back, graduated bidirectional revolving black bezel, triangular lugs, with Black dial with luminous triangular, round and baton indexes. Luminous skeleton hands, outer minute/seconds divisions, moisture indicator above the 6. Movement Cal. 10BPCHN, gilt brass, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self-compensating flat balance spring.Dial and movement signed, numbered on the case. Diameter 41 mm. Thickness 13 mm. with 16 mm lug width.
Designated MIL-SHIPS-W-2181, Bulova Wrist Watch, Submersible, the watch was intended by the Navy to be a replacement for the obsolete Elgin "Canteen" diver's watch. The watch featured a unique two-piece water-resistant case back, a thick brass anti-magnetic case holder, and a newly designed movement - the 17 jewel manual wind 10 BPCHN. The unique movement featured a clutch mechanism that prevented the watch from being over-wound. A small number of these watches were delivered for testing by the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit in 1958, and were successfully depth tested to 395 feet. A further small number were delivered in early 1959 for field testing by the Diving Unit and the Navy's UDT-21 frogman team. After the testing, recommendations for improvements were incorporated by the Navy in a final set of specifications for the watch, redesignated MIL-SHIPS-W-22176, and issued in September 1959.
For unknown reasons, the Bulova company pulled out from their development contract with the Navy in late 1959, about the time the new MIL-SHIPS-W-22176 specification was finalized. The prototype never went into commercial production, and only a handful were ever made, all of which were delivered to the Navy. Only three examples are known to have survived.
In March of 1961, the Navy revised the specifications for the watch as MILSHIPS- W-22176A, and solicited bids for its manufacture. The contract was awarded to the Blancpain company (Rayville, S.A.) through its U.S. distributor, Allen V. Tornek Co. The resulting watches, designated "Tornek-Rayville TR-900," were made in Switzerland by Blancpain, and approximately 1000 watches were delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1964 and 1966.
that is so Fifty Fathom….. i want one
Ooh - you’ve given me a 1st world problem here - I’d love a Submariner or a Black Bay or a 50 Fathoms diver because they are kings among divers but way out of my reach - so I settled for my beloved and much coveted SKX007 legend of a watch - I’d only consider changing it for one of the above mentioned watches and now you show me THIS!!! - sorely sorely tempted - do I change my iconic late production run, all original, mint SKX J model for this Bulova?
£599 joma in the uk non ltd version not sure if I would pay that much for a moyota movt similar retro style diver miyota 9015 watches can be had for around half that.
16mm is sooo small though. I have a 7.75" wrist and I have some 18mm lug watches and the straps look tiny at 18. I would love to buy this watch IF it was 20mm, possibly 18mm.
I do think 16mm is a no-go, looks like an old lady watch strap lol… Shame because the watch looks awesome.
my Bulova just shipped. Not the swiss movement. I also have the P01 and wondered how you changed the strap and what strap you have for that.
You have some awesome taste in watches. Have a video coming out soon about the p01 I actually put it on a bracelet as well
@@WatchChris subscribed. Look forward to it
Boss!
This is similar to radio Captain Hook
What happens when the moisture indicator changes? Can you get that paper swapped out or whole dial needs to change to "reset" the moisture indicator? OR, is it a 1 time use and a component that is not serviceable or replaceable once it's use is done? Have to buy a new watch at that point?
To my knowledge the paper cant easily be replaced, so a new dial would be needed.... in the original military use im sure the watch would have been returned to the manufacturer and been replaced by a new watch. The manufacturer probably would then go over the watch to determine why it had failed and had water intrusion.
For this modern watch it really would depend, If its within the warranty and it was caused by a defect like a bad seal Bulova would either give you a new watch or repair it with a new dial and new movement as its cheaper to replace them than repair water damage. If its outside the warranty youd just be shit out of luck, im sure a watchsmith could service or replace the movement but you wouldnt be able to change that paper
@@ryanpeck3377 thanks. pretty much the case I was imagining. But, would be interesting to know from Chris and get his take as well. I mean it is a consideration for possible long term use and serviceability of the watch, especially when you're paying close to around $2k.. even if not the limited edition model, it's still something to be aware of and what to expect if one buy such a watch.
I don't imagine if you get water egress into the case you're going to need a service. However if you look at the old 50 fathoms and tornek Rayville watches The indicator actually could be removed and replaced. I believe this has the same design However I can confirm with Bulova
Very beautiful watch. If you're ever interested in selling your recent accutron pick up, I would be interested.
It's awesome! Are you talking about the VX?
@@WatchChris Yes the VX, I loved the review, and fell in love with the watch. I'm very interested if you're willing to sell it.
Wish they did a more traditional bezel... I like using my dive bezels as fidget spinners
Besides the TR what other watches you know in that same style?
There are a few that are homages like steeldive... It the TR this and the fifty fathoms are the originals
Helson makes a good fifty fathoms style watch.
Wow it looks just like a Baltic Aquascaphe...
It's more like the other way around
@@WatchChris Yeah I forgot the /s but some of the macro shots seem to favor the Baltic as far as finishing quality IMHO...
I don't like the width of the lugs. It's a narrow band. Everything else is pretty damn perfect.
Nice watch, but a bit too steep in price. I will wait for a san martin version of this, hahaha.
I really like the watch and glad you got one I know how much you like the Fifty Fathoms . I'm hoping the standard version will go down to $450 or $500 , I bought the Boulova Devil Diver Bright Orange 🍊 for $450 and really like it.
Do you know if standard version is a limited edition ? Or will it be available all the time .
Hey! The standard version is a non limited edition Zales and reeds has them for 600$ already
@@WatchChris Thanks bubby the devil diver is down to $370 I've got a feeling Joma shop will have them for $450 within a few months . I think I like the hands better on the Rayvill better .
@@WatchChris I actually spoke to a representative at Bulova/Citizens and apparently the Zales and Reeds Jewelers prices were incorrect. Although I’m sure they’ll honor the price if someone had already purchased it prior to the change.
@@daverichards1337 wow that's crazy I saw the sales price was $1,492 and then reads I think was a little bit more expensive...
@@WatchChris I saw the same thing. Reeds was $100 more than Zales bringing the price up to $1,592. But now I can’t even find the watch on the Zales website anymore and Reeds adjusted theirs to the actual retail price. Major oversight on Bulova/Citizens part, although their customer service has been great.
strap needs to be wider for a watch that size because it just looks weird
Love the Watch, hate the price...
I clicked on the link to check it out, it's not there.
Strange I just clicked and it worked... If you go to the Bulova website it's under new watches I think it's the second and third watch
@@WatchChris it's redirecting me to the Bulova international site not the US site
@@WatchChris I found it in Hodinkee
That's easily the most beautiful Bulova for a while, most exciting too. Great work by them. Shame about the dimensions though
It's pretty awesome I like the size but it might not work for everyone... But it's true to the original 1957 prototype
@@WatchChris understand that, I would have loved to have tried one but the lug to lug is too much unfortunately
@@WesWatchRoom hopefully of this is popular they will make a smaller variation... Would be great in a 39mm
@@WatchChris 💯, saying that. They wouldn't do it for the lunar pilot, so I'm not holding out any hope for this either.
not sure if this watch will be a monster seller; the lunar pilot on the other is a head scratcher. no question a smaller version would kill it.
Your history is a little out of sync on the watch . I remember the different watches that we were issued back in the day and remember a friend of mine on an east coast team actually wore one of those for a shot while . Anyway, if you want tk find out the straight scoop on the exact history, hit me up . Really nice redo on that watch .
SW200? Is there a ghost 👻 position with a no date watch?
I like your enthusiasm for this watch. I think it is way too expensive and the 16mm strap looks very out of proportion to the diameter of the case. Pass for me.
$470 at most stores and a 20mm Tropic can be trimmed to fit. Just cut 2mm notch on both sides.
Watch itself is a masterpiece, but with that G-string 16mm strap...i'm not so sure.
Buy a 20mm Tropic and cut a 2mm notch on each side, the center portion fits inside the lugs now . Mine looks great. Perfect fit and a nice 20mm strap.
Don’t like that moisture indicator at all. It looks odd.
I LIKE IT BUT TORN BETWEEN THIS AND Hamilton Pilot Pioneer H762050. Leaning towards Hamilton.
The lug width is disproportionate to the dimensions of the watch.
Not digging the 16 mm strap
Didn't think Bulova was swiss made ???reminds me of a fifty fathoms
899$ without own manufacturing 😂
has anyone actually used this SCUBA DIVING and if so POST A VIDEO Please
The 16mm lug width kills it, hard pass for me.
Yea it's a love or hate look I think...
Make the watch look super top-heavy. Hard pass for me aswell.
Same, I'm afraid. Which is a shame, as I love everything else about the watch.
ok Joffrey
Wedge in an 18mm nato?
Amazing watch, but that thin lug width ruins it for me. I get it's probably authentic but it looks comically small.
Bulova, 8 series moment for &900!?! This watch definitely deserves the 9 series (9015 or 9039) shame on Bulova!
I've got a 7.5 inch Wrist ... finding a proper Strap in 16mm , in my size -Good Luck.
So I pass.
Yea I think you would have to wear this on the supplied NATO... It might be hard with other straps
@@WatchChris yep ... Consider that even my 37 mm steel case Trench Watch from VARIO, uses a 18 mm. I think Bulova did a dis-service to the very Watch Collectors , who would be interested. If It was 18mm instead, without Calipers; would We have noticed, It was NOT Authentic ? I think not ... oh well ... sad
Marathon watch co. in Canada makes 16mm straps.
I like it but I will not buy it
Price?
Prices are in the video
Cool watch but almost $900 for an eight series Miyota you can get in a $50 watch?! Pass.
Nice review, thanks. Watch is nice, just not for me.
16mm is a nope for me. Sorry.
No it does not look cool with 16mm lug width. They have ruined it :(
Jealous. Too much cash for me
Looks terrible with 16mm lugs. Way too expensive. Straight pass.
The limited edition is way way wayyyy overpriced
i think it looks ridiculous. even more ridiculous than i thought it would from the specs and renders. that Tornek-Rayville looks about 10-100 times better
other than that... meh. the hands are nice and fun, i guess, but it's criminally underspecced for the price from a brand usually dealing in the lower brackets, and visually nothing justifies that cost.... plus the Hoodwinkiee connection. yeah, hard pass
Which Swiss movement? Packaging is most interesting? Pretty overpriced watch and 16mm looks very unbalanced with that cheap strap.So, no, thanks, never ever.
awful watch wtf is wrong with lug width? why did they ruin a fantastic watch? seriously why? is that a somekind of sick joke? look at you. the watch looks ridiculous on your wrist wtf bulova really