Bulova - MIL-SHIPS-W-2181

Brand new to the Archive Series, the MIL-SHIPS-W-2181 is based on a prototype that was never commercially launched, making 2021 the first time watch enthusiasts will have the opportunity to own this luxury timepiece. The sport watch was inspired by a timepiece developed for the U.S. Navy, and it has a unique paper strip on the dial that indicates if moisture has entered the watch, and will change colour should the water resistance — up to 200 metres — ever start to fail. Another unique feature of this watch is that the top ring will only rotate once it is pressed down. The black matte dial is set into a stainless steel case, and has a slate blue NATO strap made with a finely-woven nylon material made to withstand continuous contact with water. This unique watch is versatile enough to be worn every day, but has the features to stand up against any other sport-style watch on the market today.

In consideration of their history of supplying military watches to the US government, Bulova began developing a watch to meet the new and rigorous requirements of MIL-SHIPS-W-2181and in May of 1957 delivered their first 3 prototypes to the Navy experimental diving unit for testing.

As the Navy was waiting on an additional prototype(s) for final approval, Bulova  made the decision not to proceed with additional samples. As a result, only a handful  of these watches were ever made, all of which were delivered to the us Navy for testing.

Technical Specs