As an experienced watch collector, it’s easy to forget that the essence of this hobby is enjoyment. Enthusiasts sometimes get so caught up in finding the “right watch” for their collection that they forget to wear what makes them happy, and that sometimes a dose of fun can be just as delightful as all the provenance and pedigree in the world. The new Bulova Oceanographer “Devil Diver” is a classic example of this, embodying a surprisingly accurate revival of the original 1972 Bulova Oceanographer diver and vibrant playfulness.
Though the current Oceanographer line was first released in 2018, the case sizes until now were quite modern at 44 mm. However, for the new revision, Bulova has reduced the stainless steel case form to a more period-accurate 41 mm, typical of the '70s. Even at this modest size, the brightly polished C-shaped Oceanographer “Devil Diver” case still catches the eye. The nearly full polish catches light from any angle, and even with the sloped curve of the case around the wrist, the vertical case sides have a pleasing visual weight. Similarly, the coin-edge bezel feels solid and substantial, with a satisfyingly heavy and precise feel at each of the 120 clicks.
The acrylic bezel insert gives the Oceanographer “Devil Diver” an extra injection of vintage style: a glossy finish and a bright orange and black scale. Bulova complements this vertical design with a double-domed sapphire crystal, which adds a slight hint of distortion to the dial at oblique angles. As with previous Oceanographer models, Bulova uses a cyclops magnifier over the date window at the 3 o'clock position, but in practice, the lens has little effect. The screw-down