Bulova 1965 Commander

Submitted by Reverend Rob on February 26, 2019 - 3:05pm
A
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
10COAC
Movement Jewels
30
Movement Serial No.
-N/A
Case Serial No.
C43202
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I really need to get a proper light box as these pics do not do justice to this watch.  USA in house 30 jewel automatic 10COAC movement, cap and KIF Duofix shock jewelled at the escape and fourth wheels. KIF Flector shock setting on the balance. West German made case. I've seen this before on various watches, and we have speculated as to the why of it, some of them certainly exist because they were sold to servicemen at PX's.

At the time, there were not a lot of watch companies doing what Bulova was doing, and a 30 jewel movt is very much top drawer. It's not a chronometer, that is something Bulova seemed to show little interest in. If they had made these slightly larger, they would be red hot right now, as it is the oversize 60's watches that seem to be the most collectible. 

Split stem to facilitate removal of the movt, as the case has no back. This watch is in the queue, but is unserviced at the moment. I started cleaning the edges of the dial to some effect, as they were badly corroded. The reflector ring/tension ring is also missing from the crystal.

Commander, but the advert I found has no variants listed.

1965 Bulova Commander A watch
1965 Bulova watch
1965 Bulova watch
1965 Bulova watch
1965 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 28, 2019 - 6:07pm

In reply to by Reverend Rob

Thanks for sharing, Rob. I currently have 2 - 30 jewel watches experiencing the same issue. Hands set but the only thing that moves is the second hand when wound.

Almost forgot why I was here....... 1965 Commander "A". 

Reverend Rob
Posted March 1, 2019 - 1:29am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

It's a textbook classic issue. Keep in mind if you are doing this yourself, the spring pushes UP on the pin of the minute wheel as pictured. That means you have to wiggle the pin into the spot by placing it above the spring and pushing against it in a downward direction, that is, in reference to the picture, and when the pin lines up with the hole you will feel it slip in. If after doing this, you feel no resistance or spring pressure on the minute wheel, you try it again. The minute wheel should be held snug by the spring, and it also easily will pop out, so you want to get it held down quickly by installing the sautoir (setting lever spring). 

Kathy L.
Posted February 28, 2019 - 10:53am

Thanks for the watchmaking info, really interesting.

1965 Bulova Commander "A"