Hi guys, I have grabbed an old Accutron snorkel 666 feet (crown at 3 o'clock), in NOS condition (with original blue film); btw I need an information, the watch comes without no letter N (neither inside the movement,neither written on the bottom of the case). There is only a 7 digits code, 5 159 707, so can you advise me about the year of construction? Best regards
Bulova ads for the Diver's model Oceanographer with a depth rating of 666feet have been seen to back up the name for those models as Snorkel. Why not the same distinction for the Accutron version?
Snorkel is the name Bulova used for this model, as having 666 feet on the dial is simply the depth rating. One does not call an Oceanographer with 333 feet on the dial the "333 Feet".
I understand what your saying about the Divers model Oceanographer series watches being ID'ed as "Snorkel", with both ads and crystal specs backing up some examples.
Here's a 1963 example ID'ed as Snorkel 666ft, but it doesn't have Snorkel or 666 ft on the dial. Looks like crystal specs were used as part of the "Snorkel" ID for this example.
Here's a 1965 "Snorkel" with an ad for "F" variant. This one has both Snorkel and 666 Feet on the dial.
Here's a 1973 model, first tentatively ID'ed as some Oceanographer, but updated to Snorkel 666 after some discussion, and a Bulova Parts catalog page showing its case number referres to a "Snorkel" model. See second page of thread for table and comments.
These above watches are pertinent to subject Accutron, as like Bobbee said, why not make the same distinction for Accutron versions. Just wanted folks to see the "background" for the automatic Oceanographer series leading up to Bobbee's suggestion.
In reply to Ok, well done, but the main by darbycrash88
Please add a photo of the case back and inside movement if possible.
At this present point in time we still have no way of determining the year manufacture of a vintage Bulova watch based on its serial number only. Bulova may have keep internal manufacturing records that correspond to the year of production but they have not shared this information with us as yet.
The case serial does not help in giving a specific date this late in Bulova history, from 1946 on, an alphanumeric system was used on both case and movement.
Without any of these on your case back, either inside or out, and a lack of date mark on the movement, we can only give a "guesstimate" on date, my best guess is 1973-75.
BTW, the main topic is identifying the model, it is the owners responsibility to post sufficient photographs of at least some quality, for us to be able to tell if there are any '"clues" to dating and identifying models.
Thanks, Bob :-)
In reply to I will wait to see photos of by Geoff Baker