BULOVA Archive Series MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 Submersible RE-EDITION

Old school Frogmen, ready yourselves for some underwater demolition – and a lengthy deep dive into this epic new release from Bulova. 

Bulova has just pulled something explosive from their archives their answer to the Tornek-Rayville TR-900 and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec.

Bulova has just dropped an updated version of a unique military diver’s watch that was originally developed for the U.S. Navy in the 1950s. 

The OG Bulova “MIL-SHIPS-W-2181” model was never made available to the watch-buying public . . . until, today!

Individually numbered and limited to 1,000 pieces, this is the new Bulova Archive Series MIL-SHIP-W-2181 Submersible reissue, a dive watch inspired by the OG MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 reference. 

Remaining faithful to the OG reference, the 2021 edition features a specialist moisture indicator paper strip on the dial to gauge interior moisture levels.

This is the same technology that the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Mil-Spec and Tornek-Rayville TR-900 used. 

The tech is redundant today but back in the 50s it was a serious piece of dive watch innovation that saved lives. 

If a watch with a moister level indictor ever lost its water resistance – the paper would change color thus alerting the diver that their vital timing instrument had failed.

Details such as the watch’s push-down, rotational bezel with elapsed dive-time scale, its stunning double domed Sapphire crystal and SLN-applied hands and markers add a purposeful level of authenticity.

Meanwhile, wars like the Great War and WWII helped to push innovation resulting in the creation of two separate and distinct teams within the United States Navy—EOD Units (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and UDT (Underwater Demolition Teams). 

These specialist units played a critical role during WWII and in the years that followed they went on to become the US Navy’s elite teams.

The main role of the EOD, whether on dry land or underwater (home or abroad), was to identify and render-safe (by means of demolition), all types of ordnance which included: improvised, chemical, biological, and even nuclear! 

Although they were part of the U.S. Navy, these teams fully integrated with all branches of the U.S. Military in furtherance of any mission.

The primary function of the UDT during WWII was to conduct reconnaissance and underwater demolition of natural or man-made obstacles which might obstruct amphibious landings. 

They later became pioneers in underwater demolition, closed circuit diving, combat swimming as well as dry and wet submersible operations.

UDT was even tasked to ensure recovery of space capsules and astronauts after splash down for Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space flight programs. 

At that time, the standard U.S. Navy submersible watch and other commercial underwater watches were not proven satisfactory, therefore on December 5, 1955 the Bureau of Ships created Contract Specification: 

the wristwatch Submersible, MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 to meet the operational needs of EOD and UDT swimmers.

Some of the primary requirements of the watch were: watertight to the specified depth, impervious to the entrance of water vapor for periods of many months, visibility in the dark, and an outer rotatable ring.

In consideration of their history of supplying military watches to the U.S. government, coupled with the fact that retired five-star general Omar Bradley oversaw research and development at Bulova in the 1950’s – 

Bulova started developing a watch to meet the new and rigorous requirements of MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 and in May of 1957 delivered their first 3 prototypes to the NEDU (Navy Experimental Diving Unit) for testing.

Bulova submitted several prototypes to NEDU in 1957 and 1958 and all watches were subject to extensive and rigorous testing during working dives and depth runs to 392 feet. 

Technical reports issued by NEDU detail test findings and recommendations—overall, the NAVY was very pleased with the watches, requesting one last round of watches for final approval.

The watches were worn by divers during working dives in conjunction with another project. The watches were wound and reset (bare handed) at maximum depth and observed closely. 

 On 5th February 1958, representatives of BuShips, Code 565, delivered by hand, three Bulova submersible wrist watches (pre-production samples) for test in accordance with contract NObs 73016.

These watches had been designed and developed under the above contract to conform to “Bureau of Ships Contract Specification; Wrist Watch, Submersible,” SHIP-W-2181 of 5 December 1955.  

As the Navy was waiting on an additional prototype(s) for final approval, Bulova made the decision not to proceed with additional samples and shifted their efforts and attention elsewhere.

As a result, only a handful of these watches were ever made. And, even after Bulova’s final submission in 1958, the Navy continued to wait for additional submits of what they considered to be their watch for SHIPS-W-2181. 

As evidence, in December of 1959, a full page was devoted to the Bulova watch in the Bureau of Ships Journal.

And now six long decades later, the SHIPS-W-2181 Submersible has resurfaced from obscurity and is ready for active duty on your wrist! 

Basic spec. for both new editions (Swiss and non-Swiss) is as follows: an automatic mechanical movement, a domed sapphire crystal, a case diameter of 41mm and water-resistance to 200M.

MSRP in the United States for the Swiss Made 1’000 piece Limited Edition MIL-SHIP-W-2181 Submersible 98A265 (BLACK strap) 1,990USD. 

The non-Swiss MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 98A266 (GREY strap) has an MSRP of 895USD. 

Both versions come with a 3-year limited warranty. 

Thoughts? So what do you think; this or the TORNEK-RAYVILLE Series 3 TR-660? I’l take theMIL-SHIP-W-2181 LE.