Bulova 1971 Sea King

Submitted by Bryan214 on January 21, 2015 - 9:23pm
FY
Manufacture Year
1971
Movement Model
11ANC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
T001630
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description
Thank you in advance for your opinions on my Grandfather's watch. I don't have anything to add about the watch that cannot be seen in the pictures other than at the bottom of the face is printed "T SWISS T" . I found someone posting a Bulova for sale on an auction site that seemed identical to mine, other than it having a speidel bracelet. The following is his description. 
 "Vintage 1971 hand wound bulova men's watch. Running conditions. 17 jewels. Very nice silvertone dial. The first Bulova i've seen with a dial this color. It must be rare. Between a silver to grey with purpleish blue hue. Marked "Bulova TSwissT" on face and marked "11 ANC" on movement." 
I have not had the back opened on my watch (is it a screw off?) so I don't know about the "11 ANC" , or the jewel count, otherwise it sounds and looks just like mine. 
Again, thank you for any help in identifying this model as I have come up empty.
 
Bryan Peterson.
Bryan214 1971 Bulova 01 22 2015
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1955mercury
Posted January 22, 2015 - 10:22am

Howdy Bryan214. I believe you have a 1971 Bulova "Sea King" as shown in this 1972 ad posted by Bobbee. I'm not knowledgeable about taking the back off of one of these. I've never had one. It may be a front loader movement. Hopefully someone here will know.

plainsmen
Posted January 22, 2015 - 10:44am

It does look like the Sea King.  Great to have your Grandfathers watch.  It's the same thing that started most of us down this collecting path!  

Reverend Rob
Posted January 22, 2015 - 11:41am

The 'T' is for Tritium lume on the hands and dial. I agree with Sea King, and it may very well be a front loading case. I recommend taking it to watchmaker to know for sure, and I always recommend getting a full CTR service if you plan to run it regularly. Nice condition.

 

timerestoration
Posted January 22, 2015 - 11:57am

The Lug ends on the "SEA KING" in the ad appear to be straight across, while the lug ends on the subject watch seem to slant??

William Smith
Posted January 22, 2015 - 1:33pm

In reply to by timerestoration

I'm seeing that slight case/lug slant difference too.  There are many similar case shapes, even just in the ad above. If  you let the watch run down, then wear it for a bit and it "winds", we can determine if its an automatic.

JP
Posted January 22, 2015 - 12:08pm

Sea King. The watch is what we call a front loader and you will need to take it to a trained watch repairman. The stem will pull out all the way if pressure is applied and the movement will be free. You will need to remove the crystal and bezel and the movement will then be able to drop out through the front, this is a trickey job and not recommended for the non-trained person. Good luck and thanks for sharing your family heirloom with us.

Geoff Baker
Posted January 22, 2015 - 8:45pm

Hi Bryan, welcome to myBulova. First of all, you have a priceless heirloom. Not because it's an old or even rare Bulova but because it's your Grandfather old Bulova, you are most fortunate.

I will go along with my peers in voting it a Sea King. Jeff (timerestoration) and Will have an excellent point regarding the lug curve but I'm seeing a slight curve in the advert ( ever so slight I should say though). In our movement dB we show a 11AC movement that is a manual wound 17 jewel movement. Pretty basic but a good workhorse I'd say. Agreeing with the Reverend, service it regularly and wear it proudly, it's a fine watch and a proud family history!

If you need a recommendation for a good, professional watchmaker to service it, just ask, we have several just on this page alone!

William Smith
Posted January 23, 2015 - 12:07am

yeah I'm good with Sea King

Andersok
Posted January 23, 2015 - 6:46am

I would also agree with Sea King

jabs
Posted January 23, 2015 - 7:51am

Sea King even for me