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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchVerdict: The original Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel 666 Devil Diver is wrist game if you want a distinctive late-1960s-era vintage diver and are prepared to judge the individual watch, not just the name. Its c-case, vivid dial and unusual 666 branding give it real character; age, wear, originality and service uncertainty make condition more important than nostalgia. It is not the same watch as the modern Snorkel reference 96B350.
What is the vintage Bulova Devil Diver?
“Devil Diver” is the nickname associated with Bulova’s Oceanographer Snorkel 666, a vintage automatic diver. Fratello’s March 17, 2021 feature describes the model as introduced in the late 1960s and its featured example as roughly 41 mm in diameter, powered by a Bulova 11 BLACD movement. Those details describe the article’s vintage example; they should not be treated as specifications for every Oceanographer or Snorkel reference.
The 666 name is part of the watch’s identity, alongside its colorful, conspicuous design. It is not a reason to assume that a decades-old example remains suitable for diving. Water resistance on a vintage watch depends on the specific watch’s condition and testing, neither of which can be inferred from its original model name.
Why does it appeal to collectors?
A distinctive case and dial
Fratello highlights the c-case, vivid dial and indices, lumed hands, signed crystal and unidirectional bezel. Together they make the Devil Diver more visually assertive than a restrained, conventional-looking vintage diver. That character is the principal draw: this is a watch to choose because you like its particular shape and color, not because its design is interchangeable with a modern tool watch.
#1 Best Overall
- For the uncompromising thrill seeker, there is no alternative to this all-new Bulova men’s Oceanographer GMT.
- The perfectly sized 41mm stainless steel case features a grey IP coating, a screw-down crown that provides 200 meters of water resistance, and a unidirectional rotating black-and-white timing bezel. Under the box sapphire crystal, the fully luminescent white dial features a black 24-hours scale and minute markers, applied round luminescent hour markers, and a date display.
- The bold handset features luminescent fill for exceptional low-light legibility, and an independently adjusted hour hand that allows you to quickly set the local time. The Oceanographer GMT is powered by a self-winding GMT movement with 24-jewels and a power reserve of 42 hours, protected by a screw-down caseback.
- Paired perfectly with a fitted gray silicone strap with a rugged three-piece buckle. When you need a timepiece that can go everywhere you want and never fall behind, the men’s Bulova Oceanographer GMT is the only option.
- 200M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
Age is part of the proposition
The same history that gives the watch its vintage appeal can leave marks on the watch itself. Fratello contributor Michael Stockton observed, “These were divers, after all, and that means that many were put to the test and often show the results of such wear.” The article also notes that good examples are harder to find. Wear can be honest evidence of use, but it is not automatically desirable: assess whether the case, dial, hands and other visible parts meet your own standards, and whether the watch’s originality can be established.
Vintage Devil Diver or modern Snorkel?
The name and design language connect these watches, but an original vintage example and modern reference 96B350 are different purchases. The modern specifications below come from a Corvus Brasil retailer listing, not an official Bulova source.
Rank #2
- In celebration of America's 250th Anniversary and in collaboration with Sail 4th, this special edition men's Bulova Snorkel adds a patriotic twist to the fan favorite
- Creating striking contrast and imbuing the watch with the colors of the American Flag, the red wave-pattern dial and striking 41mm white Hybrid Ceramic case pair perfectly with the blue unidirectional bezel with a bi-color red and blue insert
- Embodying the American spirit of beauty and perseverance, this special edition Snorkel perfectly balances style and functionality with Bulova's legacy of iconic American watchmaking.Special Edition41mm White Hybrid-Ceramic CaseRotating Ratchet TopringHybrid Ceramic One-Way Rotating BezelRed Dial with Luminous Hands and MarkersDouble Curved Mineral Box CrystalQuartz Movement3 HandDateBlue Rubber StrapWater-Resistance - WR100/10Bar/333ft [Swimming, Showering & Snorkeling]Bulova Style #: 98B474
| What to compare | Vintage Oceanographer Snorkel 666 | Modern Snorkel, ref. 96B350 |
|---|---|---|
| Era and identity | Fratello describes the model as introduced in the late 1960s; its feature concerns a vintage example. [Fratello, March 17, 2021] | A contemporary-style watch listed under reference 96B350 by Corvus Brasil. [Corvus Brasil retailer listing] |
| Movement | Bulova 11 BLACD in the vintage example described by Fratello; not established here as universal to every vintage reference. [Fratello, March 17, 2021] | Miyota 821D, according to the retailer. [Corvus Brasil retailer listing] |
| Size and water resistance | Approximately 41 mm diameter for Fratello’s vintage example; the cited feature does not establish a current water-resistance rating. [Fratello, March 17, 2021] | 41 mm and 200 m/666 ft water resistance, according to the retailer listing. [Corvus Brasil retailer listing] |
| Crystal and strap | Fratello notes a signed crystal; a crystal material and standard strap configuration are not stated in the cited feature. [Fratello, March 17, 2021] | Sapphire crystal and rubber strap, according to the retailer listing. [Corvus Brasil retailer listing] |
| Price and availability | Current vintage value and availability are not established by the cited 2021 feature. It discussed one candidate offered at €1,235 in 2021 and recounted Stockton’s personal purchase of an example for about $450 in 2016; neither figure is a current valuation or market average. [Fratello, March 17, 2021] | Current price and stock are not established here; check the seller’s live listing for reference 96B350. [Corvus Brasil retailer listing] |
Choose vintage for the appeal of the original design and the individuality of a surviving example. Choose the modern watch if contemporary construction and a seller-listed specification set matter more than owning the period piece. The available information does not support a direct current-price comparison or a complete official history of every reference.
What should you check before buying a vintage example?
- Confirm what the watch is. Ask for clear photographs of the dial, case, caseback and movement, and verify the reference and identity with a knowledgeable watchmaker or specialist. A model name alone does not establish that every component is original.
- Assess condition and originality. Look closely at the dial and hands, case shape and edges, crystal, bezel and any replacement parts. Decide whether visible wear is acceptable to you; do not assume that a polished case or a replacement component is original.
- Ask about operation and service. Request a recent service history and details of any work. If the seller cannot substantiate the watch’s condition, budget for assessment by a qualified vintage-watch service professional rather than treating the watch as ready for regular use.
- Verify water resistance separately. Do not rely on the model’s historic diver identity as proof of present-day sealing. Have the specific watch evaluated and tested by a qualified professional before exposing it to water.
- Check parts by exact reference and dimensions. A collector archive result mentions end links for a 1966 reference 386, but that does not establish fitment for another example. Verify the watch’s reference and measurements before ordering end links or other components. [Watchuseek collector archive]
Is the Devil Diver worth buying?
It can be a compelling vintage purchase if you value its bold design, accept that condition varies from watch to watch, and can verify the particular example’s originality and service needs. The 2021 prices reported by Fratello are historical anecdotes, not a guide to what a fair price is today. Without current market evidence, judge a seller’s asking price against the watch’s documented condition, provenance and any service costs—not against those older figures.
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Rank #3
- From Bulova's Men's Marine Star Collection, live and play in maritime watches that feature bold accents, iconic patterns and innovative materials inspired by the sea.
- Features: Calendar;Luminous Hands and Markers
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel;Blue Leather and Black Silicone Strap
- An internal 60-minute timing ring features white accents and is operated with the crown at 10 o’clock.
- 100M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
If you want the Devil Diver look without the uncertainty attached to a decades-old watch, reference 96B350 is a separate modern option. Its listed specifications are useful for comparison, but confirm the exact reference, current availability and details with the seller before purchase.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- From Bulova's Men's Marine Star Collection, live and play in maritime watches that feature bold accents, iconic patterns and innovative materials inspired by the sea.
- 6 Hand, 1/20 Second Chronograph Measures up to 60 Minutes, Calendar, Small Second Hand
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Domed Mineral Crystal
- 200M Water Resistant and 3 Year Limited Warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
