Bulova 1970 Oceanographer

Submitted by Tayloreuph on May 16, 2022 - 11:32pm
G
Manufacture Year
1970
Movement Model
11BLACD
Movement Date Code
N0
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
1-986459
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Star
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

BULOVA  =  Snorkel  =  Automatic  =  Silver hands and silver stick seconds hand. NO movement. Signed crown

Dial side
case back
crown
Geoff Baker
Posted May 18, 2022 - 9:08am

Very nice Joe. This one seems to be an outlier relative to some of the other Oceanographer G models we've seen. The dial is not like any of the others. I wonder if it's been refinished? have you had it out of the case and do you have a photo of just the dial? Also curious to know if the case number is 714. For now I'm sure we can classify as an Oceanographer but not sure it's a G variant. I also note a replacement crown

neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 18, 2022 - 9:40am

Based on the case serial number starting with "1 - ", It's possible this is a European model, which could explain the dial variant. Does the movement have an import 3 letter  code stamped on it?

1970 Oceanographer

 

120Clicks
Posted May 18, 2022 - 10:53am

Hello, I'd like to take a moment and point out, that this is my watch.  Joe wanted to use it for research purposes, and I have without hesitation, allowed him to do so.  (I feel the need to say this because we seem touchy here about watches that don't belong to us.)   He is doing so for research purposes.   I can very reasonably and confidently say that this dial has not been refinished.  I have seen not many, but more than one of these are known to be in existence.  I have also seen another one with the identical tuning fork crown.  (Which is currently listed on eBay, so feel free to look that one up as well.) The theory of the "1" in the s/n is helpful in widening our research into it being a foreign market model.  But to assume it's been refinished dial because it's an "outlier" does not sit well as a basis for identification, or lack thereof at this time.  I am quite confident to call this an Oceanographer G.   There are instances where there are dial variations within a special model range that use the same names, designations and reference numbers.  And yes, it is a 714 case.  Also, it shares the same handset with the "G" listed within the line books.  The models with the wider, white handsets and lolipop seconds hands are not shown in the books.  So are we then NOT calling those a "G" variant?  There are also instances where on some models, certain lines of text are added to or deleted to conform to foreign market standards.  Not that I feel my vote counts here, but I vote it's an Oceanographer G.  And I will even welcome the theory that it is from a different market.  

Thank you. 

Geoff Baker
Posted May 18, 2022 - 8:50pm

In reply to by 120Clicks

Hi Mike - I'll ask admin to reassign the watch to your account. We aren't 'touchy' here but we respectfully ask users to only submit watches photos with permission from the owner of the watch out of fairness. I would also ask that you re-read my comments above. I didn't state that the dial had been refinished, therefore making it an outlier, I simply wondered if it had been. If you could, please add a photo of the dial out of the case.

The 1- question of serial numbers has been, as Bob pointed out discussed several times. Seeing a photo of the movement can help us determine if it's an imported model. Understand that foreign market watches are not classified using Bulova US model designations so when we are presented with a watch we determine to be either Pacific Rim or European we do use a different set of model designators than found in US adverts and line books.

Thanks for sharing your watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted May 19, 2022 - 7:33am

Can I ask where the Star case ID came from? Is it stamped Star on the inside?

It's also possible that this dial variant was as a result of negative consumer feedback about having 666 on the dial. Just a thought.

1970 Bulova Oceanographer "G" for me.

JimDon5822
Posted May 19, 2022 - 9:17pm

Everything I see points to a 1970 Bulova Oceanographer G.   Possibly a transitional dial or international variants but fits the G design esthetic.

Geoff Baker
Posted May 19, 2022 - 9:57pm

Mike - Joe, is it possible to upload a photo of the inside case back and movement?

120Clicks
Posted May 28, 2022 - 3:00pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Sorry, at this point I do not want to compromise the case back seal on a watch that doesn't need to be serviced yet.   When that time comes, I can get some photos. 

Kathy L.
Posted May 25, 2022 - 11:32am

1970 Bulova Oceanographer "G"