Bulova 1966 Date King

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on February 5, 2022 - 9:42am
Manufacture Year
1966
Movement Model
11ALD
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
J333962
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Here is a seldom seen Date King model that I find only in  linebook 165 for 1967. The dial is one I have never seen and after manipulating the linebook photo, the horizontal lines across the dial are visible. As far as I can see, this case style was used for 2 models, The "AR" and "AQ". We have a single example of the gold dial "AR", and now it's brother with silver dial. Both are case dated 1966 with 1967 dated movements .

1966 Date King "AQ"  Currently wound tight, but balance appears good.

aq1
aq2
aq3
aq4
aq5
aqad
neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 5, 2022 - 9:45am

datekingbros

Geoff Baker
Posted February 5, 2022 - 9:24pm

I agree with a Date King ID but I don't think the dial matches the AQ shown in the line book, I'm wondering if it was refinished?

Andersok
Posted February 6, 2022 - 11:52am

I would agree with Date King, though I'm also not sure that the dial is original with the stripes. I do notice a notch at 3, possible re-dial.

Kathy L.
Posted February 6, 2022 - 1:11pm

That is a nice looking dial Bob.

1966 Bulova Date King

mybulova_admin
Posted February 6, 2022 - 4:44pm

Hmmm, I'm on the fence with the "AQ" variant. Yes it certainly looks like a redial, but would this affect the variant if the "AQ" was this exact case style and color?

I think the linebook is a good reference to help future IDs, but can agree that the generic Bulova Date King works here.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 9, 2022 - 9:33am

After close re-examination, yes, there appears to be a very tiny notch in the dial at "3". I initially thought it was a finish chip. Good eye, Ken.  However, if the only 2 models of Date King in this case this year were determined by dial color (gold or silver), does a redial in one of the 2 colors negate the variant? Just thinking out loud.