Bulova 1964 Date King

Submitted by cosimow on December 23, 2017 - 11:55pm
M
Manufacture Year
1964
Movement Model
11ALD
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
H318703
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

#2517 on the inside of backcase centered. Hand scratched on inside of backcase close to the stem hole are two numbers a triangle or delta followed by D1170 and delta followed  D275 only able to read unde 60X power. I found the watch at an Amish yard sale in Cuba Illinois. I have not had it cleaned but it works perfect. Thanks Craig O

1964 Bulova Date King watch
1964 Bulova watch
1964 Bulova watch
Geoff Baker
Posted December 25, 2017 - 8:02am

Hello cosimow, welcome to myBulova. It's fun to discover these survivors, isn't it?

This one is named Date King. Here's a link to an advert (it's in the upper right). This advert shows the dial detail differently. I'm thinking your watch is the "GG" variant.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 26, 2017 - 8:08am

In reply to by cosimow

Excellent question - Bulova created dozens of variations (slight changes) to some models of watch. The differences could be a simple as changing the style of hands or band to a completely different case design. Typically the variants (variations) were differentiated by letters. The Academy Award model line has as many as 13 variants, the Sea king line has over 20. The 'lettering' doesn't seem to be sequential, we just don't know. In other words, the "GG" probably doesn't mean they went through the whole alphabet and then down to "GG". 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 26, 2017 - 11:14pm

Nice watch and it does indeed appear to be a Date King. Can you verify subject watch has a M4 on case back and movement signifying 1964?

Interesting that subject watch has the mysterious Deco "12" on a "X" shadow face, unlike the "GG" ads dated 65 and 66 that show a double stick marker at the 12 position on a "X" face.

I couldn't locate a 1964 ad showing the "GG" variant to verify a face marker change between 1964 and 1965; but the shadow dial is pretty specific & unique for a Date King.

I'm inclined to go with Geoff on this one and go Date King tentative "GG" based on case shape, dial design and movement unless there is some other evidence it is something else.

cosimow
Posted December 26, 2017 - 9:21am

Yes M4 on back of case and movement.  I saw that the 64 Engineer in  Model photos has a face like the one i have except for the date area.

Andersok
Posted December 27, 2017 - 7:24am

Matches the Date King GG but not the dial; perhaps one of the variants we have no ad for. 1964 Date King, unknown variant.

jabs
Posted December 27, 2017 - 2:09pm

1964 Date King

Andersok
Posted June 10, 2018 - 8:48pm

1964 Ad, calling this one the 'M' variant:

Kathy L.
Posted June 11, 2018 - 11:04am

1964 Bulova Date King "M" looks like a match to me.

Geoff Baker
Posted June 12, 2018 - 6:56am

I'm fine with the variant update to "M"