1963 Bulova Super Compressor "Devil Diver" (Ref. 314)

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.