Category: BULOVA

Born in the 1970s, the Bulova ‘Devil Diver’ watch was notable for its cushion-shaped case and its 200m water resistance, proudly displayed on the dial with the inscription “666 Feet”.

Five years ago, the watch brand decided to bring back the historic dive watch with the introduction of the ‘Devil Diver’ reissue. The collection, which until today included three dive watches in 44mm and a green GMT variant in 41mm, now receives three new GMT variants, two of which come with the classic “Pepsi” and “Root Beer” colour scheme and the other with a black and white monochrome and a full lume display.

The new Bulova Oceanographer Devil Diver GMT wears a stainless steel case with 41mm in diameter, 14.60mm in thickness and 43mm lug-to-lug distance that comes with a polished finish, bi-directional bezel, sapphire glass front and solid case back, screw-down crown at 3 o’clock, and the advertised 200m of water resistance.

On the crosshair dial, applied round hour markers and fat pencil hands all filled with luminescent material, a lollipop centre seconds hand, an extra GMT hand with an arrow-shape tip, a framed date window at 3 o’clock whose frame matches the applied brand’s lettering at noon and which is preceded by the printed inscription of “Oceanographer” and by four lines of text at 6 o’clock which includes ‘666 Feet’.

As for the different variants, the “Pepsi” version is presented with a blue dial, a blue and red 24-hour bezel, a red GMT hand and attached to a steel bracelet. In the “Root Beer” version, the case comes with a rose gold IP coating that also includes the steel bracelet, a black dial with gilt accents, filled with beige lume, and a black and brow 24-hour bezel. Finally, we have the black and white version with a full lume dial, whose case comes with gunmetal IP coating, an inner 24-hour track, a black and white dive bezel and a grey rubber strap.

Inside, the new GMT is powered by the still recent Miyota 9075 automatic movement, which operates at 28,800 Vph and offers up to 42 hours of power reserve.

Prices vary between €849 for the ‘Pepsi’ and ‘Full Lume’ versions and €890 for the ‘Root Beer’ version.

Our Opinion

Watches that come with the cushion-shaped case that became famous among several brands in the 70s and that were little appreciated for a long time are now almost seen as a symbol of prestige among lovers of diving watches and therefore it is not strange that we are now witnessing its mass return, the option for a more moderate size of 41mm compared to the 44mm of the simple diving version seems completely right.

After the debut in green, more classic alternatives now arrive with the ‘Pepsi’ version at the head, followed by the ‘Root Beer’ and finally a more contemporary monochromatic alternative with a fully illuminated dial, which for now and despite the seductive ‘Root Beer’ it’s our favourite.

It should also be noted that the watch is equipped with a true GMT function, which allows independent adjustment of the hour hand.

In conclusion, the new Bulova Oceanographer Devil Diver GMT arrives with a good size, great appearance, several alternatives and an interesting price.

More information at www.bulova.com.

General Specifications:

Brand: Bulova

Model: Oceanographer Devil Diver GMT

Reference: 96B405 (“Pepsi”), 97B215 (“Root Beer”), 98B407 (“Full Lume”)

Dial: Blue, black, white

Lume: Yes

Case Material: Stainless steel (“Pepsi”), stainless steel with rose gold IP coating (“Root Beer”), stainless steel with gunmetal IP coating (“Full Lume”)

Case Dimensions: 41 mm Diameter, 14.60 mm thick, 43 mm lug-to-lug

Crystal: Sapphire Glass

Case Back: Stainless steel

Water Resistance: 200 Meters

Strap: Stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp, Grey rubber strap with a pin buckle

Calibre: Miyota 9075

Dimensions: 26 mm Diameter

Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 24

Power Reserve: 42 hours

Price: € 849 (“Pepsi”, “Full Lume”), € 890 (“Root Beer”)

Limited Edition: No