Brand: Bulova

Model: Oceanographer "M" Snorkel 666 Feet Diver Automatic Date (Tropical Dial); Swiss Made; M9 date code = 1969

Case: Solid stainless steel case with screw-down back is approximately 39mm excluding the original signed "BULOVA" winding crown

Strap: 19mm smooth brown hand-made leather strap with contrast stitching and polished stainless steel tang buckle

Movement: Bulova cal. 11 BLACD self-winding automatic movement (17 jewels) with date display at 3 o'clock; 18,000 BPH; Swiss Made; M9 date code = 1969

Features: Stunning original metallic blue dial with applied Bulova logo has aged to an incredible "tropical" brown hue with unique "stardust" patina and creamy Tritium hour markers; original Tritium hands with matching yellow patina; original rotating acrylic "Pepsi" bezel displays elapsed time (i.e. during dives) and the blue section has faded to a wonderful "ghost" grey hue; original date wheel with red numerals; domed acrylic crystal; rare Oceanographer variant (produced for only one year)

Condition: Very nice original condition overall with honest wear consistent with age and use; solid stainless steel case appears to be completely unpolished with razor-sharp edges and bevels; crisp caseback remains clearly legible; original metallic blue dial has aged to a beautiful "tropical" brown hue with fantastic creamy Tritium patina to the hour markers; original acrylic bezel has faded from "Pepsi" blue/red to an attractive "ghost" grey/red combination and rotates smoothly with little resistance

Other: "Should you own a watch that can go places you can't? The Bulova Oceanographer "M" will run at 666 feet under the sea. And at Himalayan altitudes. And beyond." What a great advertisement from Bulova! This rare Oceanographer "M" variation was only produced for one year (1969), making it all the more desirable and difficult to obtain. Can you believe that this particular example was born with a metallic blue dial and bright blue/red bezel? We have yet to see another example with a "tropical" brown dial like this... And the blue section of the acrylic bezel has faded to an super cool "ghost" grey hue. We also love how the red section of the bezel has remained nice and bright and matches the numbers on the original date wheel. It is interesting to note that the advertisement for the watch shows a black number "25" on the date wheel, a subtle detail that Bulova changed before going into production. This one-of-a-kind 1969 Bulova Oceanographer "M" is truly unique and once it's gone, it's gone.