Restoration

Submitted by Big lee on July 14, 2013 - 11:08pm

I'm new to the site and have a couple of questions I hope someone can help me with. Twenty years ago, I traded for a 1968 Oceanographer Snorkel, 666 ft, Swiss Automatic. Wore it for 15 years and loved it. Five years ago, it fogged up after minor contact with water (caught in the rain). I brought it to a local watchmaker who cleaned, oiled, and adjusted it. He said it was in excellent condition. I had wanted him to replace the crown (for waterproofing) and crystal (for appearance). He later advised he could not find parts and recommended I just hold on to it and not wear it (which is what I've done, periodically winding it to move the oil). A year ago, I inquired of several watch restoration services that I found on the web and was led to believe that waterproofing was probably not possible. I sent it to the Bulova service center in New York, which promptly returned it saying parts were not available. Do I have to just accept that waterproofing is unachievable (I don't dive and am only hoping for protection from incidental water contact)? If not, who could do such work? Also, can a replacement crystal (mineral or sapphire) be found? I really miss the watch and would love to wear it again. Thanks.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 15, 2013 - 6:15am

Big lee,

You will need to reference the Case number (Case reference number) which is cast or stamped in a rectangle on the inside of the Caseback.

eg below: Case # 314 (1963 'SNORKEL' manufactured June of 1963) http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1963-snorkel-666-4236

Once this information is known it is used to determine which parts are correct for Your particular Case.

eg: Case # 272 (1961 'SNORKEL') uses Bulova Crystal # 1139AW, Crown # 272WH, Gasket G746, Bezel B125 and Movement ring MR450. (thanks Stephen!)

 

In most instances the original Bulova parts are still out there and Waterproofing the Watch to spec. can be achieved by using them.

Hope this info helps.

 

mybulova_admin
Posted July 15, 2013 - 6:39am

Agre with 5th. Have a look at the back inside case to see if there is a reference number and let us know what it is if you find one. From there we can hopefully at least point you in the right direct to get the parts you need.

Proby01
Posted December 8, 2020 - 9:10am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Hi again,
I was reading some of the correpondance by other chaps who are looking for Bulova parts.
What website would you suggest, for example for the bulova bezel ring part number B125 for case 272 ?

Thanks in advance

Best regards

Roby

Milan, Italy

Geoff Baker
Posted December 8, 2020 - 9:48pm

In reply to by Proby01

Alas Roby, there is no one web site where you can buy old obsolete Bulova parts, there is only the entire World Wide Web where you can spend hours and hours and hours searching ad nauseum. Fortunately, you have the part number to look for. Good Luck!

Big lee
Posted July 15, 2013 - 4:22pm

The Number is 714. Thanks.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 15, 2013 - 7:10pm

I would imagine that generic gaskets are available in sizes to fit the watch. Does it have a gasket at the crown, as well as the caseback and crystal, assuming the crystal is mineral? It is best to use brand new materials as NOS gaskets may fail. Diver's crowns are available in many sizes and it wouldn't be hard to find a double sealed one to fit the watch. Does the crown screw down? Depending on the design of the case tube, a replacement could be made that would allow for threaded crowns. Any competent watchmaker should be able to waterproof this watch. (By 'waterproof' I of course mean to seal it to withstand a specific static pressure test. )

Sapphire would be available to replace mineral crystals, but they're more expensive. 

mybulova_admin
Posted July 16, 2013 - 4:57am

Here are the parts for case 714.

Caliber: 11ALACD
Crystal: 714AWD
Crown: 386-3W
Gasket: G796
Bezel ring: B194
Movement ring: MR511

Case Clamp: 191-9-11AL
Case screw: 45C-11AF

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 16, 2013 - 5:48am

awesome!

Bulova Case # 714

Big lee
Posted July 16, 2013 - 5:06pm

Thanks all for useful information. Thoughts on who might have these parts and want to restore the watch?

Aberlow
Posted July 16, 2013 - 6:00pm

In reply to by Big lee

Just asked my supplier. I will let you know once I hear back. I have the gasket on hand. 

Aberlow
Posted July 17, 2013 - 2:17pm

In reply to by Big lee

No problem. I actually just saw that someone put the correct crystal for the watch up on eBay. It is expensive for what it is, but is the one made for this watch and maybe they guy would sell for a lower price. So now you have sources for the gasket and the crystal. Just a crown away from a resealed watch!

Aberlow
Posted July 17, 2013 - 11:23pm

In reply to by Big lee

It is the 714AWD but i see it was purchased! I hope that was you!!!

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 17, 2013 - 2:39pm

Cas-Ker Co should have the Glass and Crown needed.

If going the eBay route I have the Crown

Big lee
Posted July 17, 2013 - 8:35pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

That would be great. If I can get the crystal would you be interested in doing the work?

Reverend Rob
Posted December 9, 2020 - 1:10am

Just a late addition here, if I may.

Pressure tests are done statically, that is, not moving. When you break the surface of the water as when surface swimming, you need 150m of water resistance. Depending on the design of the watch, you may get away with swimming on occasion, but bear in mind that anything that does not have a screw down crown is not very resistant. 

Actual dive watches all have screw down crowns and various other attributes like compressor style cases or multiple gaskets. The pushers on chronographs are the most likely location of water incursion on any watch that does not have screw down pushers. Manuals will say not to operate the pushers underwater for this reason. 

The official line from Breitling is," if your watch is going to be in contact with water on a regular basis, or used for swimming or diving, you must replace all gaskets every two years to maintain the rating as well as the warranty. Hot water voids this warranty, so no hot tubs, no saunas, no showering with your watch. "

As for the appearance of moisture on the inside of the crystal after being in contact with rain, there are some things to consider:

When your watch was cased up, a small amount of air is trapped inside the watch. That air carries the humidity of the ambient air in the room it was cased up in. When you wear the watch, the temperature of the air rises and becomes quite warm. When a cool or cold rain hits the crystal, the moisture will condense out onto the crystal. This moisture can damage the hands and dial, and even wick into the cannon pinion and centre shaft of the movement. 

Ideally, you want to dry the watch out at this point, as soon as possible. This may not indicate a leak, but rather the condensation of moisture from the sudden change in temperature. If this is all that has happened to your watch, it may be perfectly ok to wear again, just get it checked first by a watchmaker. Gaskets can be replaced or conditioned with silicone and a pressure test done. For vintage watches I always tell my customers to err on the side of caution. A modern watch can be repaired more easily than a vintage one.