View Full Version : Newly Repaired! 1970's Caravelle Divers.
Bleh
July 15th, 2009, 01:04
I replaced the balance on her a few weeks ago, just got a chance to get some pictures. Right now I've got her on the bracelet from my Alpha GMT. This is another of those out of the watchmaker's estate, and another one that is missing the proper back. :-( so I wouldn't trust any WR anymore, but it's cool nonetheless. Bidirectional, not ratcheting bezel, Stainless Case.
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~sdehart6/GT/Watches2_files/SN850250.jpg
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~sdehart6/GT/Watches2_files/SN850258.jpg
"WATERPROOF 666 FEET"
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~sdehart6/GT/Watches2_files/SN850259.jpg
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~sdehart6/GT/Watches2_files/SN850252.jpg
Fantastic looking diver...:-!:-!
Bleh
July 15th, 2009, 22:47
Fantastic looking diver...:-!:-!
Thanks, mate!
pacifichrono
July 16th, 2009, 01:13
Looks great. I love that heavy-duty bracelet. My 1966 Caravelle (below) started life with a bracelet but it's long gone.
http://www.pacifichrono.com/Vintage/V24_1000.jpg
Bleh
July 16th, 2009, 03:25
Looks great. I love that heavy-duty bracelet. My 1966 Caravelle (below) started life with a bracelet but it's long gone.
http://www.pacifichrono.com/Vintage/V24_1000.jpg
So there's at least 3 of these puppys on the forum! Someone posted theirs in the WRUW thread with mine today. COOL!
And like I said, the bracelet is from my Alpha GMT, but it looks great on the Caravelle. How long have you had yours?
pacifichrono
July 16th, 2009, 08:19
How long have you had yours?I bought it right after Christmas 1966. I was home on emergency leave from Vietnam and bought this Caravelle because of it's "666 feet" waterproof claim. When I first went to 'Nam in October I was wearing a 25-jewel Lord Elgin. Within a month the monsoons turned the movement to rust! This Caravelle has never missed a beat in 43 years - - and the back has never been off the watch! You can see how scarred the crystal got during my remaining tour in Vietnam. It took a real beating.
Below is a pic of me in early 1967 wearing the Caravelle with its bracelet, and then a "recent" shot!
http://www.pacifichrono.com/images/Car666.jpg
http://www.pacifichrono.com/Vintage/V1a_720.jpg
Bleh
July 16th, 2009, 19:53
I bought it right after Christmas 1966. I was home on emergency leave from Vietnam and bought this Caravelle because of it's "666 feet" waterproof claim. When I first went to 'Nam in October I was wearing a 25-jewel Lord Elgin. Within a month the monsoons turned the movement to rust! This Caravelle has never missed a beat in 43 years - - and the back has never been off the watch! You can see how scarred the crystal got during my remaining tour in Vietnam. It took a real beating.
Below is a pic of me in early 1967 wearing the Caravelle with its bracelet, and then a "recent" shot!
http://www.pacifichrono.com/images/Car666.jpg
http://www.pacifichrono.com/Vintage/V1a_720.jpg
Excellent story! I saw you post that (didn't know it was you) in another thread. That's what reminded me I had this little guy sitting in the scrap pile. I took a Vietnam History class earlier this semester, and I thought it would be nice to have a watch of the time, one that I knew at least one soldier wore. I found another donor movement to snag the balance from, swapped it out, and after a little oil and tweaking, she's running like a dream.
Thanks for your service! What branch were you in? I had 2 uncles over there in the navy.
pacifichrono
July 16th, 2009, 20:48
Excellent story! I saw you post that (didn't know it was you) in another thread. That's what reminded me I had this little guy sitting in the scrap pile. I took a Vietnam History class earlier this semester, and I thought it would be nice to have a watch of the time, one that I knew at least one soldier wore. I found another donor movement to snag the balance from, swapped it out, and after a little oil and tweaking, she's running like a dream.
Thanks for your service! What branch were you in? I had 2 uncles over there in the navy.I was a jarhead Marine. In this uncropped photo I'm wearing the same boots as in the recent photo above. Ha-ha!
http://www.pacifichrono.com/images/mike2charliewtmk.jpg
Eeeb
July 17th, 2009, 04:17
I was a jarhead Marine. In this uncropped photo I'm wearing the same boots as in the recent photo above. Ha-ha!
I can fit into my old shoes... but not my old pants! :-d
Great history... I wondered why you didn't replace the crystal. Now I know.
pacifichrono
July 17th, 2009, 06:00
I can fit into my old shoes... but not my old pants! :-d
Great history... I wondered why you didn't replace the crystal. Now I know.Me neither...I guess that's what an extra 100 pounds will do to ya. o|
sixties.nut
July 17th, 2009, 21:56
and then a "recent" shot!
Whew, I seen better legs on a killdee bird ! LOL
Hey Tom, I see you were in Charlie company.. I was in B company... B here (when they leave) B here (when they get back).
was this a shot relaxing on onslow beach by any chance ?
Tristan17
July 17th, 2009, 22:37
thats is one real good looking vintage piece! :-!
pacifichrono
July 18th, 2009, 00:30
Whew, I seen better legs on a killdee bird ! LOL
Hey Tom, I see you were in Charlie company.. I was in B company... B here (when they leave) B here (when they get back).
was this a shot relaxing on onslow beach by any chance ?No. Actually, our firebase was on the south side of the mouth of the Cua Viet River, which is mostly sand dunes. In the photo I was just "standing lines," which means guarding the perimeter. There was concertina wire around the base about 10-20 yards in front of me. It did give me an opportunity to catch some sun, though! ;-)
http://www.tf116.org/vietnam_photos/Camp_Kistler_lg.jpg
http://www.pcf45.com/cuaviet/cv_mouth.jpg