Bulova 1974 Set-O-Matic

Submitted by gmmy775 on April 25, 2020 - 11:20pm
Manufacture Year
1974
Movement Model
11BSACB
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
3-866239
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Crystal details
29.25 mm Height, 30.20 mm Width, in watch. Almost flat acrylic
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bulova Automatic  11BSACB 17j SS 3-866239 N4/N4  -  Width w/o Crown:    40.55 mm - Length:    37.65 mm w/lugs -  Depth: 12.90 mm w/crystal - Lug Width:  21.95 mm - Crystal:   29.5 mm Height,  30.20 mm Width, in watch.  Almost flat acrylic  =   Crown:5.20Dia mm, not signed - Inside case back: stamped:  lateral oval w/3 vertical arrows thru it; Bulova Watch Co; Swiss;        7699 in a lateral rectangle  -          Engraving on outside case back:  BULOVA; 3-866239; N4; Stainless Steel Back  -  Movement:  11BLACD  -  Engraving on Movement:   On rotor: BULOVA  WATCH CO; 11BSACB; N4; Seventeen 17 Jewels; Unadjusted; Swiss  -  tamped under balance:  AS 2066  -  Notes:  Not just the case back, but the case itself is a boat anchor of stainless steel.  Pressed into the case surrounding the flush crystal is a base metal bezel, that has remnants of gold plating.  The movement at a glance is the ubiquitous AS 2066 from the 1970’s.  Though the case has endured significant use, the dial and movement are almost pristine with a good gasket

Dial view
Back view
Full view
Movement Dial view
Movement back view
Inside Case Back view
mybulova_admin
Posted April 26, 2020 - 6:09am

Have looked through line book 1973 to 1975 without luck, 

The closest I can come up with as a suggestion is from the Jet Star series. I love the description and I think it describes this watch perfectly. 

"We named them for the way they look: like part of an instrument panel. But we love them, for the way they act: like a bunch of fiercely maternal little white-haired ladies who take care of you without expecting much care in return. Giving you the right time, and instant change of date and day. While you give them bumps and slashings, and never wind them. They don't mind neglect. Whenever you need them they will give you what you need. That's love"

..... like I said, described to a T.....

gmmy775
Posted April 26, 2020 - 12:39pm

Didn't even want to wade in with a suggestion, much different than any other Bulova I own.  I have found one like it on the Bay, only different in that there is not any gold plating on the odd bezel.  Looking at it again, it does resemble an instrument panel.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 26, 2020 - 1:20pm

Certainly an unusual one that I have never seen before. The case back interior markings are ones I don't believe I have ever seen before either. Based on interior markings, and s/n with spaced first digit, I would  venture  a guess this is a model produced in Europe.  Do you find a 3 letter import code stamped on the movement? One with similar inside case markings we have ID'ed here as "Set-O-Matic". Here is another we tagged the same (also yours).

Based on case markings and face text, I would be inclined to ID this one in the same fashion: 

1974 Bulova Set-O-Matic

 

gmmy775
Posted April 26, 2020 - 2:02pm

I looked closely for an import code, the inside case markings looked euro to me as well.  The as 2066 is extremely common in european watches, but I have only seen 3 Bulova examples.  One looks just like mine, without the gold plating.  The other one is the one in this attached image, a 1973.  73 as 2066

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 26, 2020 - 2:39pm

My opinion is that this is a Swiss produced Bulova watch for the European market. If that is the case, we may never ID it other than Set-O-Matic due to the scarcity of European market adverts.

I attempted to ID the stamp, which looks to me like a trident over oval...no luck.

gmmy775
Posted April 26, 2020 - 2:57pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Kind of on that train of thought, I just found an N4 with a different case with an as 2066....from Greece

mybulova_admin
Posted April 26, 2020 - 9:47pm

After many years, I'm starting to think that Set-O-Matic is a feature and not a model name.

Here's an Oceanographer also stamped Set-O-Matic on the dial.

https://mybulova.com/watches/1975-oceanographer-7176

There are also a number of other models with this function.

gmmy775
Posted April 27, 2020 - 3:55am

Most Set-O-Matic Bulovas that I have seen share a common feature, a "quick-set" day/date.  Which also corresponds to the typical Bulova 1133.10 (ETA 2789), and the 11BSACB (AS 2066), which both were the "go to" Swiss day/date "quick-set" automatics in the late 60's and all through the 70's (I have at least four in Bulova, and scores of these in other watch makes).  I have noticed that most, if not all, of the Bulovas with either of these day/date movements were default labeled Set-O-Matics. The "quick-set" feature was a prominent selling point in 70's Swiss watches.  I haven't entered this discussion in the past, as I do not have the depth of Bulova knowledge that I have learned the esteemed panelists do, well demonstrated in my year on this forum.  I would ask this:  though I suspect that Set-O-Matic is a feature of numerous Bulova models, in the absence of clear model names what else should these watches be called?  As a "user", I would prefer the Set-O-Matic on the dial over Unknown.  It would be great if we at least knew the model numbers, but I would also love a tree sprouting wristwatches in my back yard.

Reverend Rob
Posted April 27, 2020 - 2:19pm

The dial is excellent- I would say that this is very restorable. That plated bezel is press fit and is removable, so it could be re-surfaced, polished and re-plated. The bracelet you have on it reinforces the whole Heavy Duty aspect of the watch, and looks great.

 

gmmy775
Posted April 27, 2020 - 2:58pm

Hi Rev,  

I sort of figured on doing that, I have already sanded and polished the crystal (it was hammered).  Thanx for the encouragement