Brand: Bulova

Model: Deep Sea Chronograph "A" ref. 31002 (Surfboard Dial); 666 Feet Devil Diver; Swiss Made; N0 date code = 1970

Case: Solid stainless steel case with screw-down back is approximately 38mm excluding the original oversized winding crown

Strap: 20mm blue/white/orange multi-color nylon NATO strap with stainless steel hardware

Movement: Bulova cal. 14 EB (Valjoux cal. 7733) manual-winding chronograph movement (17 jewels); 18,000 BPH; Swiss Made; N0 date code = 1970

Features: Stunning original Bulova "Surfboard" dial with creamy Tritium lume on the raised hour markers; outer tachymeter scale for timing the average speed of a moving object over time (i.e. during racing applications); original Tritium hands with matching lume; original neon orange chronograph sweeping-seconds hand and original white sub-register hands; 30-minute chronograph recording capability; original rotating blue and red "countdown" bezel (faded); original acrylic super-dome crystal; rare and desirable Deep Sea Chronograph variant with a short production run

Condition: Very nice original condition overall with minor honest wear consistent with age and use; solid stainless steel case remains thick and sharp; vibrant original dial with navy blue "surfboard" center and crisp printing throughout; Tritium hour markers have aged to an attractive yellow hue; original Tritium hands with matching lume; original blue and red rotating countdown bezel has faded to a fantastic "ghost" hue; original acrylic super-dome crystal exhibits a few minor superficial scratches

Other: It's safe to say that the Deep Sea Chronograph "A" has quickly become one of our absolute favorite Bulova models, particularly for its unique "surfboard" dial and colorful countdown bezel. This beautiful example features a perfectly-aged bezel with just the right amount of fade for spring and summer. We imagine that this tool watch was worn out in the sun quite a bit and maybe even on salt water dives to create such a gorgeous combination of red and blue. In comparison to other Deep Sea Chronograph models, the "Surfboard" variation was only available during a short production run of approximately one year (1970). Thus, very few examples surface for sale in original condition. Worn & Wound published a detailed article about the Bulova "Surfboard" Chronograph back in 2014 and it's worth a read; however, we'd like to point out that this model was originally offered with either a signed 6mm crown or a larger unsigned winding crown (as seen here). Both crowns are correct and original for this model. Furthermore, we don't recall seeing any "Surfboard" cushion cases dating to 1971 (N1). The watch in the article dates to 1970 (N0) as shown on the caseback. It was relatively common for Bulova movement date codes to vary by one year in final assembly.