Well I thought I might have another Seabee here, but now I am leaning towards Watertite, mainly because of the dial.
This has the larger than some watertites, but I believe that this may only apply to theolder ones, and a much more complicated case. The outer bezel accepts the case back, which is quite deep, from below, and then the reflector and crystal and outer ring compress the crystal against the flange for a seal. Unfortunately the case is chromium plated and will have to be stripped and re-plated.
The last picture is with crystal removed, because it is a mess.
In reply to Is this one missing the bezel by mybulova_admin
Hello fellow Bulova Fans. This is my first post.
I have a watch like this I picked up on ebay, and the crystal is a mess.
My question is what crystal does it take exactly?.
I measured it and it is indeed the stated 28.2 mm outside diameter, but inside it is more like 27.2 mm.
I have a few 28.2 mm crystals lying around, and even though they're the correct outside diameter, they're not the correct inside diameter and do not go down over the ring that is on the case correctly. Does this take the GS crystal PA 426?. I would order a crystal, but I don't want to order the wrong one. Can anyone verify which crystal this watch requires?.
Thanks very much.
Cody
In reply to Hello fellow Bulova Fans. … by DogfaceNobody
In reply to Before I go into a long,… by Stinky_Sullivan
I have been working on them for a few years now and have brought quite a few old Bulovas back to life, so I know how to install the crystal. I have the watch in the cleaner right now actually. I just don't know the exact crystal it takes. As I said, I measured the outside diameter of the old crystal and it was indeed 28.2 mm, but the inside diameter would not go over the ring on the case that it sets over, and then the bezel ring goes over it to create a nice seal. I thought maybe the PA 385-11 might be it, but I want to be sure before I order one. Any crystal knowledge and info regarding these old Watertites would be appreciated. This one is a 1953. The inside of the case simply says "Bulova Quality"...nothing else.
Thanks
In reply to I have been working on them… by DogfaceNobody
Measuring the case is the best way to tell what size if you don’t have a crystal to test with. If the 28.2 is the right size, the part of the case it fits around should be slightly larger since the crystal fits to the outside. 28.3 or 28.4 if ideal IMO. I’m not certain how much leeway there is on that. I’ll check my Watertite’s to see if I recorded the crystal number for any of them.
In reply to Measuring the case is the… by Stinky_Sullivan
I checked my Watertite’s and all the other ones as well. I measured 28.2mm on one of mine but I didn’t note the crystal number. It’s not listed on any of the others either. I’d suggest measuring your case and use any crystals you has a guide to determine accuracy.
In reply to I have been working on them… by DogfaceNobody
In reply to It sounds to me like your… by mybulova_admin
Yep, I measured the case ring the crystal fits over, and it is 27.17 mm
I saw a NOS GS crystal on eBay with that exact measurement, the PA 385-11, which made me think that may be the one, but they did not specify inside or outside diameter. I would need this to be the inside diameter. 28.2 mm is indeed the outside diameter. Then, the bezel ring goes over the crystal keeping it in place. I attached a photo. You can see the crystal over the ring on the case. The crystal I have does not go over the ring on the case, but is the correct 28.2 on the outside. I may electroplate the case, but I also like to leave them with their age and wrinkles as well. Shows character :):)