The 2009 Bulova Calypso 300 64B108 diver is presented in a chunky gold-plated stainless steel case that provides housing for a Swiss-made Sellita SW200 self-winding caliber. Sporting deliberately blingy appearance, the Calypso, unlike many “divers”, doesn’t look like a “tool” and is mostly designed for those who simply want a nice shiny accessory on their wrists.
Headquartered in New-York, owned by the Japanese Citizen Watch Co. and produced in Switzerland, the Bulova Accutron brand can be used as a symbol of globalization, and where it got us.
The Calypso 300 64B108, which was officially presented last spring, is also a symbol of the world where a chunk of steel looks like solid and makes you feel happy about it.
Probably inspired by the recent batch of BVLGARI watches, the Calypso 300 64B108 may be a good substitute for the much more expensive fashion time-pieces if what you are looking for is blingy stuff at an affordable price.
It does look like it was made of solid pink gold and its black dial with luminescent pink gold-plated indices and hands sports the same pattern as the black rubber strap.
The gold-plated arc around the small date window slightly unbalances the overall design of the face, though, drawing too much attention to itself.
Powered by the Sellita SW200 automatic movement, which is a clone of the ETA 2824 ebauche, the Calypso has a maximum power reserve of 38 hours. It is not much, but if you plan to wear the timepiece daily putting it off the wrist only when going to bed, is completely adequate for the task. Although the movement is partially visible through the solid steel case back cover that luckily has a semi-circular cut-out in it, there is nothing particularly interesting to see there: besides the brand’s logo on the oscillating weight, the rest is as dull and uninspiring as a blank movement can get.
Frankly, given the relatively low price, I also doubt that there was some extra fine-tuning to the movement except for the obvious initial quality control, so if you decide to buy one these timepieces, a visit to your local service professional for an adjustment and proper regulation may be in order.
Although the case features a water resistance rating of formidable 300 meters, its round bezel looks purely decorative because the minute markers on the traditional diving scale do not bear a single drop of SuperLuminova. You just won’t be able to tell how much time you spent underwater if you ever decide to use this gadget as a diving tool.
On the other hand, why would you? I highly doubt that anyone would ever buy this model for diving adventures: there are less expensive (I mean, like ten times less expensive) and more usable gadgets for that even if you plan to keep going old-school by using mechanical divers instead of electronic ones that are both more reliable and more ergonomic than classic wristwatches.
See also: Hamilton Seaview AutoChrono diving chronograph
WWR Verdict
Originality 4/5
Build Quality: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4/5
Value for Money: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
Photo: Bulova
Bulova Calypso 300 64B108 Diver specification
Price range: $1100 (MSRP)
Movement: Caliber Sellita SW200, automatic, Swiss Made
Functions & Complications: Hours, minutes, central seconds, date
Power reserve: 38 hours
Case: Stainless steel, rose gold-plated
Size: 41.00 mm
Case height: 13.00 mm
Dial: Black with rose gold-plated hands
Hands: Luminous
Hour markers: Luminous
Water resistance: 300 meters
Strap: Black rubber with double safety folding clasp in rose gold PVD steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Back: Solid rose gold-plated steel, engraved, semi-circular diagonal cut-out in the upper half with transparent crystal