Bulova 1968 Oceanographer

Submitted by FranciscoMIII on September 23, 2021 - 5:15pm
Manufacture Year
1968
Movement Model
11ALACD
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
79229
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
31.5mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This beauty started out as just a case two months ago. Thanks to MyBulova I was able to identify the parts needed to build her out. The only part I found confusing is one source says no movement ring and the case parts catalog shows MR768. Which I have not been able to find.

Watch
Dial
Movement
Case
Back
mybulova_admin
Posted September 23, 2021 - 10:12pm

Very similar to the 1968 Bulova Oceanographer "E"

1968 Bulova Oceanographer "E"

Andersok
Posted September 24, 2021 - 7:20am

I'm on the fence that the gold dial is correct for this stainless case. I can't confirm it is or is not, but seems like a wrong pairing, and the minute markings do not match the Oceanographer ad.

mybulova_admin
Posted September 26, 2021 - 2:29am

Case model '706' houses a 11ALACD, so the movement is correct. 

I think the subject watch is from the Oceanographer series, but probably not the "E" variant.

FranciscoMIII
Posted September 26, 2021 - 6:32pm

I believe it is an Oceanographer E because I matches this add as well.

As for the dial I was focused more on the text than the color. I do consider myself a novice and still learning. Thanks again

Add #2

I appreciate the feedback. 

 

Geoff Baker
Posted September 26, 2021 - 9:35pm

Fransisco - When we ID a watch to a catalog variant we expect that the case, case color, dial color and configuration as well as the movement model and jewel count to be exact matches to the specific variant. While I agree that your watch is in fact a 1968 Bulova Oceanographer the dial is not exactly the same as the dial on the E variant. You did a fine job putting this one back together!

1968 Bulova Oceanographer

JimDon5822
Posted September 26, 2021 - 10:03pm

12968 Bulova Oceanographer.   I wonder if the dial has just patina'd from the brass base metal to the gold color.  

FranciscoMIII
Posted September 28, 2021 - 2:59pm

 That seems fair. I'll keep looking for the right dial, as getting the E designation was my goal. So the journey continues. As always thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experience  my love for these watches and this hobby grows the more I learn. 

FranciscoMIII
Posted October 17, 2021 - 4:39am

Hello everyone,

I believe I found the correct dial, I also switched out the crown. I believe it also has the same part number but it reads Bulova and not just the Bulova marker.

White dial

Watch face

New crown

FranciscoMIII
Posted October 17, 2021 - 3:18pm

Quick question, does anyone know if Bulova used the cal. 11 BLACD was used with case # 706. 

I got this dial from a donor watch and that watch had an 11BLACD date code M8 and not the 11ALACD I was expecting. The only information I could find regarding the BLACD movement was on later model Snorkel watches.  

I plan on having the movement serviced and then selling the donor. If I sell it as an Oceanographer, I do not want to be misrepresenting the watch. 

Thank you. 

mybulova_admin
Posted October 17, 2021 - 5:25pm

Case #706 is listed as using a 11ALACD movement