A sub-$1k vintage diver to make your Submariner jelly

Specs
Diameter: 36.5mm
Lug to lug: 44mm
Thickness: 11mm
Lug width: 20mm
Movement: Manual wind Japanese movement

TLDR

Beautiful vintage style for an affordable price compared to the iconic Seiko, Tudor, and Rolex divers. Sure, it looks a bit like an Explorer I with the bezel off, but careful you don’t mess up the spring. This will be a short little article for a short little watch that deserves pages more.

The Mark of the Beast

This is an interesting, relatively little-known brand. The “affordable” offshoot of Bulova, Caravelle has produced a few watches that seem to have eclipsed those of their more widely known parent company. This little guy, along with a few other references, is affectionately known as a Devil Diver, a name that you might have correctly guessed arises from its distinctive Biblical mark, “666.” And an absolute Beast this watch certainly is. Perfectly sized (for my 6.5in wrist) at around 37mm, and sexily curvaceous and slim, the Devil Diver Sea Hunter wears better than any diver I’ve owned thus far. The manual wind Japanese movement (I believe Miyota, but I’m unable to tell for sure) is accurate at around +5s/day and allows for the slim profile. While one of my other favorite divers, the Omega Seamaster 36mm, wears quite well, I can see how many people would find it a tad diminutive even for a small to average sized wrist like mine. In my opinion this is not an issue here.

Here’s that term I hate again, “value proposition”

This particular diver is without a doubt my favorite by Caravelle and one of the best value vintage divers on the market, garnering its own little cult following over the last several years. I purchased mine for a shocking $150 at my favorite watch repair shop in my hometown, though don’t expect to find these below $600 these days. Even at that price, I can’t think of a more enticing value prop for a vintage mechanical diver, but don’t go for the $1000+ listings.

I am certainly not the first to notice the resemblance to the Explorer I when the dive bezel is removed. As an Explorer lover who can’t afford one (well…at least until now…see into the future for my upcoming post), I couldn’t help but do a little at-home modding on this watch to scratch that itch. As with real skin itches, however, scratching only leads to a worse rash and my desire for the real deal only grew. On top of that, I ended up damaging the original spring that allows the non ratcheted bi-directional bezel to turn smoothly, rendering it permanently fixed at its 12 o’clock position…dumbass. Needless to say, I can’t recommend modding your DD to look like an Explorer unless you happen to be moderately skilled with a spring bar tool, unlike me. But if you love the Explorer look and simply don’t like some of the direct homage pieces (like the fantastic Smiths Everest PRS-25), this is a great option.

That being said, while it’s fun to cosplay as an Explorer, there’s no need to compare this watch to a more iconic one. It stands on its own. I prefer this watch in its full diving glory with its slightly patina-browned bezel to its “homage” modulated image. Here’s to hoping that the Prince of Peace doesn’t cast this Beast into the Lake of Fire before you can get your hands on it. Or whatever Biblical joke you can think of that’s better than that weak attempt.

That’s all folks

That about sums it up. Mainly because I haven’t written an article in so long and I somehow only managed to take THREE photos of this gorgeous watch with my DSLR before selling it (yes I was transparent about the bezel issue, of course), which is a shame because this watch is beautiful and I wish I had more photos to share. If you’re in the market for something fashionable, charmingly vintage, and affordable, look no further than this 37mm dashing, devilish diver.

-G

P.S. to my legions of followers, I apologize for my lack of content this past year. I’ve been happily busy, but now with a writers’/actors’ strike going on I find myself with a little bit more time on my hands to revive my little hobby. I can’t imagine how tough life must have been without your favorite monthly. I promise to write more often and am excited about sharing my upcoming “venture into modern Rolex.” See you then!