Bulova 'Type A17A' - Korean War Era U.S. Military issue. Parkerized Steel Case measures 40mm lug to lug x 32mm wide non inclusive of the Crown while using Calipers. Black Dial shows Luminous and White printed numerals. Hour and Minute Hands are Luminous filled and the sweep center Seconds Hand is unique with a Luminous Arrowhead tip. A Steel dustshield and gasket appears between the Caseback and Movement. 10 sided Caseback is Parkerized, screws on and is stamped as shown. Crown is Steel. Hackset. The A17A is shown on its original issue strap. * 100% correct as found - from the estate of a retired U.S. Naval Officer.
Terry,
Star Case company is the manufacturer of Your A-17A Case, perfectly normal as they were the supplier.
The 15 Jewel 10AK is incorrect for this Watch as the Bulova A-17A came with a 17 Jewel 10 BNCH (hack) *see the Caseback.
The WWII era Bulova A-11 (which Your Dial, Hour and Minute hands look like) was fitted with a 16 Jewel 10 AKCSH.
IMO a Watchmaker or Watch enthusiast has retrofitted a 15 Jewel 10AK (if this is the mvt inside) to carry a Center seconds Hand, attached an A-11 Dial and placed it into an A-17A Case..
Also, the Center Seconds Hand showing on Your Dial is not authentic.
You have to know what to look for on these Military Watches, there's a lot of crazy stuff out there.
In reply to Terry, Star Case company is by FifthAvenueRes…
[quote=FifthAvenueRestorations]
Terry,
Star Case company is the manufacturer of Your A-17A Case, perfectly normal as they were the supplier.
The 15 Jewel 10AK is incorrect for this Watch as the Bulova A-17A came with a 17 Jewel 10 BNCH (hack) *see the Caseback.
The WWII era Bulova A-11 (which Your Dial, Hour and Minute hands look like) was fitted with a 16 Jewel 10 AKCSH.
IMO a Watchmaker or Watch enthusiast has retrofitted a 15 Jewel 10AK (if this is the mvt inside) to carry a Center seconds Hand, attached an A-11 Dial and placed it into an A-17A Case..
Also, the Center Seconds Hand showing on Your Dial is not authentic.
You have to know what to look for on these Military Watches, there's a lot of crazy stuff out there.
[/quote]
The centre-seconds hand shown above is actually correct for the dial and hands, which are from an A-11, though this should be in a earlier case type.
Fifth
As a point of reference in this list, in the left column, spec MIL-W-6433 dated 8 April 1960 indicates the first specification for the Type A-17 watch. Therefore, the first Type A-17 was not an issue item until after 8 April 1960 & manufactured by Walton. Futherrmore, the first Bulova Type A-17 to be issued under MIL-W-6433A could not have been issued until after the specification date of 4 August 1960.
The Korean War was fought over the course of just a few years. It began in 1950 and ended in 1953. I am sure your A-17 had faithful service at a later time. It would be interesting to know the date on the movement of your watch.
Terry
The specification MIL-W-6433A is dated 4 August 1960 which indicates at least the screw in backcase & probably the bezel were made after this date. The dial is an earlier Type A-11. I wouldn't even guess what the movement is based on dial & case date differences.
Wayne,
I'm reluctant to open the A-17A at this time. however I have personally seen SPEC. MIL-W-6433A dated as early L1, below is an L6.
What is the source of the document You are displaying above, perhaps the author made a typo and meant 1950 and not 1960 as shown?
1956 indicates the first of the 3818A, which I will buy all day.
http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/showthread.php?t=11308
Would Uncle Sam have both the Type A-17A and the 3818A being issued at the same time? highly doubtful, as the 3818A replaced the A-17A......in 1956.