Founded in New York by Czech immigrant, Joseph Bulova, in 1875, Bulova began as a jewelry and clock repair store before moving into the manufacturing of watch components and jeweled movements in the early 1900s. 

Over time, the brand became known for its unique and funky watches that were made from the '60s into the '80s. Ranging from colorful diving chronographs to eccentric electric watches like the famous Accutron.

Patented in 1956 by Ervin Piquerez SA (EPSA), the SuperCompressor case possessed a unique sealing system that set it apart from other dive watch cases of the day. When exposed to higher water pressure, the spring-loaded case back of the SuperCompressor case is sealed even tighter. Another innovation of the SuperCompressor was its approach to securing the bezel. As most diving watch timing bezels of the era rotated outside the case, the Enicar Super Compressor’s timing bezel rotated internally and was operated externally through a secondary crown. Dozens of other brands released dive watches with SuperCompressor cases, the most notable being Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, Enicar, Benrus, and Bulova.

The ref. 314 is a truly fascinating and seldom-seen watch from Bulova, and one that is loved dearly by collectors of the brand. Featuring all the classic design details that we know and love from ESPA super-compressors, such as the dual crowns, inner rotating bezel, and screw-back case, but executed by Bulova in a very sleek, utilitarian, and almost military-like design that any watch collector can appreciate. 

SPECS

CASE & BRACELET

The case is in very well-preserved condition, exhibiting no obvious signs of previous polishing with all of the factory dimensions, angles, and markings fully present throughout. The case exhibits some signs of gentle wear, which is expected of a tool watch of this age. The watch retains its original twin Bulova-signed crowns. The case back retains all of the factory markings and engravings in very deep and crisp condition. The watch comes supplied on an era-correct military single-pass nylon strap.

DIAL & HANDS

The original glossy black dial with white text is in virtually flawless vintage condition, showing no age or damage. The glossy black inner rotating bezel is also exceptional, showing only very mild age and no damage, with the tritium lumed triangle remaining fully intact and featuring a slight green coloration which is correct. The tritium lume plots on the dial feature a lovely creamy golden patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light. The original tritium syringe-style hands match the dial almost perfectly, under UV light inspection the hour hand features some minor superficial cracking and remains stable while the minute hand exhibits no degradation.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.