Bulova 1966 AeroJet

Submitted by gmmy775 on February 24, 2020 - 5:04am
Manufacture Year
1966
Movement Model
11ALAC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
I520929
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
30.35 mm Acrylic
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Men's 1968 AEROJET Stainless Steel Selfwinding 17J  Case Diameter w/o crown:  34.50 mm Case Thickness w/ crystal:   10.40 mm Case Material:   Stainless Steel  Case Back Inscriptions:               BULOVA; Stainless Steel Case; Shock Resistant; I 520929; M6; Anti- Magnetic; Self Winding; Waterproof Case Back, Inside:   2704, in ink  Lug Width: 17.25 mm Crystal diameter in case:  30.35 mm   Movement: 11ALAC 17J Movement Engraving:  Bulova Watch Co.; 11ALAC; Swiss; Unadjusted; M6; 17 Seventeen Jewels; BXW  Watch is running and keeps good time

Watch Face
Watch Back
Movement
watch w/ band
inside Watch Back
Watch Crown
gmmy775
Posted February 24, 2020 - 5:08am

My Mistake, I meant to write 1966, not 1968

JimDon5822
Posted February 24, 2020 - 10:28am

Nice looking watch.  Looks like a 1966 Aerojet "A" based on this 1966 Newspaper ad.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) · 23 Dec 1966

1966 Aerojet

jabs
Posted February 24, 2020 - 12:27pm

1966 Bulova Aerojet "A" 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 24, 2020 - 1:50pm

1966 Bulova Aerojet "A" 

Andersok
Posted February 25, 2020 - 7:32am

The Aerojet 'A' is a manual-winding version.

I cannot find the selfwinding version in the ads.

Aerojet

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 25, 2020 - 9:00am

In reply to by Andersok

I just re-visited all the Aerojets in the Db and Ken, I think you are right. After reviewing 1967 Line Book BAWD0165  pages 9 and 10. There are 8 variants listed.

Aerojet "A" and "B" are manual wind. The difference between them is the band. "A" - leather, "B" - Expansion.

"C", "D", are automatics. The only apparent difference between them is the band style. "C" on leather and "D" on  expansion bracelet.

"E", "F" are automatic calendar, difference is leather or expansion band.

"G" and "L" - yellow gold auto. "G" expansion and "L" - Leather

This is going to be a tough model name to fine tune with variant letters. Subject watch is either a "C" or "D" by case, face and movement.

 I would be inclined to say either no variant or call it by band it's presented on, in this case Aerojet "D"  (on steel). My personal preference would be to call it a "D". If it was on leather - "C"

1966 Aerojet "D"

aerojet1

aerojet2

 

 

 

Andersok
Posted February 25, 2020 - 12:40pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

If the band is the only thing that makes the 'D' different, then I would say to call it the 'C'; can only be a 'D' with the original band. I've seen a number of these over the years and often see different dial colors, such as silver or champagne, but the lists do not state dial color.

Geoff Baker
Posted February 25, 2020 - 9:45pm

I'm going out on a limb but I say that the current presentation of this watch doesn't match either photo in the line book and should not have a variant assigned

gmmy775
Posted February 25, 2020 - 10:26pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

When I acquired this watch I simply recognized it as an "Aerojet".  What I am hearing is that it is either a "C" or "D" variant, based on whether the watchband it was purchased with was leather or steel.  I got it with a leather band, but it wasn't an original Bulova band.  So since the watch head is the only part that is original, why would it matter which variant it is?