A recent addition to my small Bulova collection. I believe all orginal except crystal which I think should have a magnifier. If anyone can help me source a correct one it would be really appreciated. Has Bulova bracelet - not sure if this correct as not seen one on another but it seems to be in period. Lume on dial is still working but dead on hands and there is some lume loss there. Keeping excellent time. A birthday present to myself!
Nice watch, welcome to mybulova and thanks for sharing. I would agree this watch started life with a crystal sporting a magnifier. Below is your watch as shown in Bulova 1969_LineBook_BAWD0170, with correct as purchased Bulova band.
Entry shows white face version and calls out variant H as same as above with black dial.
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1968 Snorkel "H"
That is catalog # per Bulova, so I would say that is correct.The inclusion or exclusion of the word "Snorkel" on the dial is for me a bit foggy. I'm sure another member will comment on this. On some Snorkel models, it's on the dial and others not. The word Snorkel also appears on the dials of Oceanographers, and seems to indicate a subseries or feature (666 feet). Here is a 1968 ad showing your watch without Snorkel on dial.
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Thanks - thats certainly my watch! Does it have a date magnifier in crystal in that advert? Difficult to tell. Is there a good source for the crystals anyone can recommend? Ive looked on Ebay but drawn a blank. I am going to be in UK next week if anyone has a contact for them there, otherwise here in New York??
Hi Cambridge - Bulova used the "Snorkel" tag as a name in the mid sixties and then only on the dial after 1969-ish for he Oceanographer line. Your watch is one of the original Snorkel models after 1969 they stopped using Snorkel as a proper name.. 11406-6W is the catalog reference number, 386-4 is the case number and would be used to cross reference parts for the case. I looked up the case, it uses 386-3AWD crystal
1968 Bulova Snorkel H, nice watch. Happy Birthday!