Bulova 1955 Sea King

Submitted by august1410 on August 15, 2018 - 8:18pm
B
Manufacture Year
1955
Movement Model
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
A738003
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

All indications point to this being a 1955 Sea King. 

1955 Bulova watch
1955 Bulova watch
august1410
Posted August 16, 2018 - 9:56am

I picked this up last year after finding it in the bottom of a junk box at a flea market in Raleigh, NC. Wound the watch, and it kept time alongside the Rolex on my other wrist. Been keeping great time ever since. Good, solid watches last forever!

neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 16, 2018 - 1:22pm

Hi August1410, welcome to mybulova! Looks to be a 1955 Bulova Sea King

like in this ad from 1955:

Very distinctive lugs that make this ID an easy one. Nice watch!

jabs
Posted August 16, 2018 - 1:48pm

Agree 1955 Bulova Sea King

august1410
Posted August 16, 2018 - 3:32pm

Awesome! I was pretty sure, but you folks have cemented it. Of all the watches I have, my 18 year old daughter loves to wear this one.

My Rolex no longer glows (it's 35 years old). The Bulova? It glows for a short while, but it still glows at 63 years old.

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 17, 2018 - 7:08am

In reply to by august1410

Your daughter has good taste ;o)

If it still glows and has never been re-lumed, that is a pretty good indication it spent a good portion of it's long life in a dark place not exposed to light; like a dresser drawer or attic "junk box".

Andersok
Posted August 17, 2018 - 7:24am

Very nice example of the Sea King.

Kathy L.
Posted August 17, 2018 - 12:16pm

Agree, very nice example.

1955 Bulova Sea King

Reverend Rob
Posted August 17, 2018 - 4:07pm

Nice condition example of a Sea King, 1955.

I'll add my usual quick recommendation here....

The service interval for mechanical watches is 4-6 years. If the watch is left to dry out or run longer than this, the oil will have evaporated and dirt may have accumulated in the mechanism along with dried lubricant residue. 

I strongly recommend getting vintage watches serviced if you plan to run them. They can suffer quite a bit of damage by running dry and/or dirty. Even ruby jewels will wear when subject to stress and dirt. Before I became a watchmaker, I managed to destroy an NOS dive watch I got at a Flea market in only three or four months. 

A full overhaul ( a CTR in the trade) consists of completely disassembling the movement, and cleaning in Industry Standard Solutions. The individual parts are then examined and faults corrected and parts replaced where necessary. Usually the mainspring is replaced.

The watch is then re-assembled and lubricated, with adjustment and regulation following demagnetisation.

Some places will polish the case and bracelet at this time at no extra charge. 

mybulova_admin
Posted August 18, 2018 - 1:23am

What a great example and in amazing condition for a flea market find.

Bulova's have been long underrated as a quality watch. Case in point when comparing it to your Rolex.

Geoff Baker
Posted August 18, 2018 - 8:46am

I love hearing that your daughter likes wearing a vintage watch. Perhaps you have a new collector in your family!

1955 Bulova Sea King