Closest I could find was from 1973 which shows a similar watch, but what I liked about the ad was the "Tag Line".

 

Closest I could find was from 1973 which shows a similar watch, but what I liked about the ad was the "Tag Line". View attachment 6465337

Take a look at the blue model on the far right.....

Look familiar? Mine is a 75 I just got this solid link oyster from a seller on eBay for $9.99....turns out it looks and feels awesome on the watch.

 

That's an awesome looking watch, I want one!

 

That's one great looking vintage watch! Enjoy!

 

'90

That's an exceptional looking watch! I'm guessing 38mm?
Very nice indeed. Whenever I see something nice like that I can't help but wish that Caravelle would re-issue it in a slightly bigger 40-43mm size. I'd certainly want one!

 

Yep it's about 37-38mm without the crown. Typical 70's Dive watch size, where it still fits under your shirt sleeve lol.

 

Nice name and nice watch. Congratz

Sent from my MI 2SC using Tapatalk

 

constellation90,
Very nice! That bracelet may very well be a replacement, as they typically widened out to be the same width as the case where they attach. Somewhere I have a similar Caravelle diver's watch, but with a rubber strap on it. I'll have to see if I can't dig it out.
Samantha

 

Thanks Samantha,

The more I look at the bracelet, the more I'm wondering if it was meant for a Quartz or Digital Bulova? I've taken a couple extra pics.

 

Here's an M9 Caravelle Divers Watch 666 feet that I've had for a long time. It's in like new condition and runs great! It's got the genuine Caravelle crown on it.
Samantha

 

Slick looking watch Samantha!

Is the crown locking?

 

Thank you! No, it's not a screw down crown. It does have double o-rings in it though.
Samantha

 

View attachment 6464185

I've had this NOS Caravelle in my Bulova collection for a few years now, and it has always has had me a bit puzzled. As unlike your typical Caravelle that might be slightly inferior to it's Bulova big brother counterpart, this watch is on par.

A little about this watch:

N8 = 1978
Movement: ETA 2879 (Quick set Day/Date)
Case: Stainless steel
Crown: Locking Accutron marked crown (I have seen the same crown used on other N8's as well as generic)
Bracelet: Stainless steel, Accutron clasp (Possible replacement?)
Dial: Marked -T Swiss MVT T- (So I assume the case and Assembly of the watch was elsewhere, but where would that be?) The lume still glows pretty bright after 37 years.
Also rated at 666ft not 660.

1977-1978 Bulova had like many watch companies fallen on hard times, so I've always wondered about what was going on during those murky times.
Is this watch a result of trying to use up old stock Bulova parts to save costs? Or with quartz on the market, it was now considered obsolete tech they were trying to liquidate?

I was hoping that someone here might have a AD or Catalog from 78? Or if you also have a Caravelle that is nicer then avg, please share.

I have owned a ton of Caravelles and there are usually some features they have that are not quite as nice as the Bulovas. One is that on a lot of them I have seen (but not all of course) is that they have a plated case instead of solid SS.....(especially dress watches but yours is probably SS). On the bracelet, they were almost always folded link and I have never seen one with the TF logo on them although I have seen several with the TF signed crown. Also Caravelles were getting a lot more of Citizen sourced movements (mainly quartz) than Bulova that was just changing from the Accutron TF movements to the short lived Accu-Quartz. By 78 or so even Bulovas had Japanese Quartz movements (about 5 years too late, they held on to the more expensive and less accurate Accutron TF movement). By the 80s auto Carevelles were very hard to find and I would not be surprised if they stopped making them around the late 80s if not sooner. Caravelle was always meant as a cheaper brand and quartz or wind up models were and are cheaper than autos. I have had several Dual Day Caravelles and they were about the same as the Bulovas except for the case and bracelet. Just like car makers, sometimes the highest model of the lower division will have some of the features of the lowest line in the upper brand.

 

I completely agree, that's why I thought this one was a bit odd because of it's stainless steel case. I also have a few electronic caravelle's with esa's and decent cases, but I suppose at the time the Accutron was a much superior movement. I also have (though in pieces) a oceanographer that uses the PUW movement and is only 333 WR.

78-80 is a weird and interesting time in watch history, as it seems to be the end of many watch companies like like Omega, Breitling etc. And most of the information seems to be missing.

 

Does anyone know the name of this model or if there is a twin bulova model? I love the look and would like to buy one, ebay here I come....

 

The diver?