Found this beauty at a local thrift store for $3. My first Bulova, bringing me here. It needed a polishing, but I don't understand how they missed that it was a vintage gold Bulova in working condition. Face says Bulova 30 Jewels below the 12 and Automatic above the 6. The back says Bulova, water resistant, stainless steel back, anti magnetic, shock resistant, .0015 gold electroplate bezel, M9. Serial number is F999985. Band says Kreisler 1/20 10KT G.F. T01 Stainless bottom. When I dated it at 1969, (M9 code) I googled Bulova 30 Jewels Automatic 1969 and an ad on Etsy came up with an identical watch. This one claimed to be a Surf King, but there was no information as to how they had come to that conclusion. I have not been able to find any matches in the ads or pictures on this site, so any additional information would be great. I feel very lucky to have found a vintage watch for so cheap, we found a 1963 women's at the same @thrift shop the same week that I know even less about, but that's for another post. My jeweler friend tried to open the case to look at the movement, but he said the post was fixed in place and he didn't want to damage anything so we left it alone and closed it back up. He says the crystal is domed but I'm not sure what the significance is there. It is in good condition and seems to be original. I am curious if this is the original band, as it seems era appropriate. Pictures turned out horrible after compression, used imresizer like suggested but it didn't turn out well
In reply to Hi sguy, welcome to mybulova. by neetstuf-4-u
No problem, glad to help. Here is where I am at on ID. It appears to me to be a Commander variant. This one
https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1969-commander-9163
Has a slightly different face, but the referenced ad appears to show your band and casing.
Luminous dial, basket weave adjustable band. 30 jewel.
1969 Commander (no variant) is my vote.
I don't find this one in the Commander ads, but most likely in 1969 it was either the Commander or Sea King. Around '69 is where I see the last Commander ad and the first of the 30 jewel Sea Kings that are identical to the earlier Commanders. I don't find this watch in the Sea King ads, but as has already been mentioned, the case and band are similar to the Commander D.
Commander works for me too.
Thanks a lot guys, Commander sounds like it is the consensus. I did find this listing before I posted on this site, looks to be the same with a new band, but as I mentioned when I posted I don't know how the people on Etsy came to the conclusion they did. Any thoughts?
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/651197464/bulova-surf-king-mens-watch-1…