Bulova A17A Navigators

Submitted by Waxster60 on January 24, 2022 - 6:44pm

Hi

Recently I picked up one of these vintage pieces in perfect operating condition. Can anyone help in how to date the year of manufacture? Can't seem to find it on the forum's search function. Is there any way to learn its history/provenance? Many thanks!

The serial # is 18313. Version is 6433A. Movement, I think, is 10BNCH

mybulova_admin
Posted January 25, 2022 - 1:01am

From the watches we have in the database they seem to be about 1958 .There was a really good long discussion here that may either provide you the answer or make you head spin...I suspect the latter :-)

https://mybulova.com/watches/1950-military-issue-2370

You can see the A-17A's we have here: https://mybulova.com/bulova-models?model=696

I also found this snippet: "The A-17A, produced by Elgin and Bulova in the late 1950s, was little different. Specifications MIL-W-6433 and MIL-W-6433A described these watches. These hack-movement, black face "navigation watches" had a parkerized case and 24-hour numbering in addition to the 12-hour numerals."

 

Waxster60
Posted January 25, 2022 - 7:07pm

A wonderful collection - thank you. The referenced thread was interesting. Is the database accessible to look at the serial numbers and corresponding years of mfr? I have a friend with the same watch looking for the same info on hers. Thanks so much!