Bulova 1955 Phantom

Submitted by JimDon5822 on April 3, 2019 - 10:48pm
B
Manufacture Year
1955
Movement Model
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
A171325
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Round domed crystal
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This appears to be a 1955 Phantom "B".   It is a stainless case with a black/Charcoal dial and silver hour markers and hands.   The case back is marked with Bulova Stainless Steel Case AntiMagnetic Waterproof Shock Resistant Patent Pending L5 with a small dot after the 5.  This is the first time I have seen a Bulova with a Pat Pending mark.  I am wondering if the Pat Pending and dot after L5 signify something?   This is a very thin watch and appears to be a monocase so I am not going to open it since it is running.  I assume it has the 11ACC movement but not sure.   This is a very attractive and comfortable Bulova watch.

1955 Bulova watch
1955 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
jabs
Posted April 4, 2019 - 4:13am

Agree 1955 Bulova Phantom "B" it is

JimDon5822
Posted April 4, 2019 - 7:10am

This should have said Thin watch... not thick. 

Andersok
Posted April 4, 2019 - 7:32am

Agree with Phantom 'B'.

The inner case separates from the bezel. You may be able to separate them by pushing on the crystal while holding the bezel. This listing shows a photo of the separated parts. There is also a split-stem that can be separated in order to remove the movement from the case.

JimDon5822
Posted April 5, 2019 - 8:06am

In reply to by Andersok

Thank You for that advice.  I have been wondering how to access my Surf King  sitting in my Bulova to do box.  I was able to break down and service it.   I just posted it, only need to find a crown and stem.  Thanks

Kathy L.
Posted April 4, 2019 - 11:15am

Love this one.  The black dial is very striking.

1955 Bulova Phantom "B"

Reverend Rob
Posted April 4, 2019 - 12:22pm

Patent Pending due to case and case design refinements. This was a highly competitive part of the watch world- coming up with water resistant designs, and very few did this in-house. A company would either hire or engage a designer and then a patent agreement would be worked out, sometimes the patent automatically was then owned by the company. Companies actually had staff/teams working on these sorts of things, but we can't say whether or not this was the case with Bulova. 

Here is an example of a patent where the designer was working for Bulova:

https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1959-surf-king-8513

 

Geoff Baker
Posted April 5, 2019 - 7:44am

1955 Bulova Phantom B

filmero
Posted July 8, 2019 - 8:10am

Hi. I am looking for a split stem and crown. Female stem is in, I want only male with crown. I hope to understand. Can you help me?