Bulova 1967 Centennial

Submitted by Styles Bitchley on July 26, 2021 - 9:40am
I
Manufacture Year
1967
Movement Model
11AL
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
J884498
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This 1967 Bulova belonged to my Great Uncle. A quick look around leads me to believe that it's a Sea King (based on the case shape and numeral fonts). However, I have not seen any examples that have a sub-second hand like this one does. I'm hoping you and your team can be of assistance. 

1967 Bulova Sub-second dial and hands
Bulova 11AL Movement
Back of the watch
Case Back (outside)
Case Back (Inside)
Andersok
Posted July 26, 2021 - 4:33pm

Nice watch to have; looks to be the Sea King 'W' in 1967

 

 

Styles Bitchley
Posted July 26, 2021 - 4:54pm

Thank you. That's very helpful. A few questions: 

- was it normal for Bulova to release a variant with a sub-second hand and still consider it the same model? Would that not require a different movement to accommodate the placement of the hand?

- when did Bulova start using the whale logo on the Sea King? After this period or were they just on some models and not others?

- were all versions of this model made in the Swiss factory (as this one clearly is)? 

Andersok
Posted July 26, 2021 - 8:42pm

If you ever get the watch movement out of the case, there should be on the inside wall of the case the location it was made, perhaps W Germany. We also may see Swiss or Japan for case manufacturers.

Most Sea Kings had a center seconds hand, but a few had the sub hand or no seconds hand.

JimDon5822
Posted July 26, 2021 - 6:38pm

Unfortunately this does not match the line book listings as this is a sub second dial and the Sea King is showing center second.  

Andersok
Posted July 26, 2021 - 8:34pm

Yeah, I missed the second hand on this one. It would not be the Sea King 'W'

I don't see another example for the sub-seconds hand version.

I also don't see an import stamp on the movement; possibly an International model.

Styles Bitchley
Posted July 26, 2021 - 9:40pm

Perhaps it's helpful to note that this would have been purchased in Canada. 

So just to be clear, this would NOT be a Sea King after all? 

mybulova_admin
Posted July 27, 2021 - 8:26am

I think I see the watch in the following advert, at the bottom, left hand pane (mens horizontal watch).

Advert is a Canadian advert dated 1967 which is a match.

1967 Bulova Golden Centenial Colllection

mybulova_admin
Posted July 27, 2021 - 8:36am

Here is an image of a ladies watch from the 'Golden Centennial' group with variant, proving it was an actual model grouping,

1967 Bulova Golden Centennial

So based on this and what looks to be a matching advert, I'm in for a 1967 Bulova Golden Centennial (unknown variant)

Styles Bitchley
Posted July 27, 2021 - 9:11am

You guys are amazing! Very cool to see that old advert. Would be great to be able to actually read the copy. Any ideas for getting a higher resolution version of the ad?