Bulova 1964 Sun Clipper

Submitted by denupnorth on December 13, 2015 - 7:17pm
Manufacture Year
1964
Movement Model
11ACAC
Movement Jewels
23
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
H173730
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
29.55 mm plastic high dome
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

1964 Sun Clipper  Case back:BULOVA  10K ROLLED GOLD PLATE  SHOCK RESISTANT  ANTI-MAGNETIC SELF WINDING WATER PROOF  and serial number.(date code M4)  There are no markings inside the case backCase back is held on with retaining ring.  Dial:Fantastic design,gold hands,gold applied numbers and indices,textured(too bad someone tried to skeletonize this one). Movement:23 jewel 11ACAC dated M1.I don't know if this model came with this movement,the only example in the database has a 17 jewel movement. Crown seems to be a later model.

1964 Bulova Sun Clipper
1964 Bulova watch
1964 Bulova watch
Geoff Baker
Posted December 14, 2015 - 7:44am

Looks to me that this one started off his life as a Sun Clipper. Only the lord knows what it's morphed into now! I wonder why someone would DO THAT? There just isn't that much to see under that dial....

Sun Clipper, wow.

denupnorth
Posted December 14, 2015 - 7:08pm

that's what I was thinking Geoff,this is someone's idea of customizing.If someone was to skeletonize a  watch it should af least show the balance in action.Not that I'm agreeing with doing this to a vintage watch.I would like to find a new dial(if anyone has one for sale)and the correct movement to try and bring this one back to what it should be.Should be interesting.LOVE THAT CASE!

Andersok
Posted December 18, 2015 - 12:02pm

Agree with Sun Clipper; though too bad the dial is no longer complete.

denupnorth
Posted December 18, 2015 - 2:46pm

Yes it's too bad about the dial and I think finding a new one will be difficult as it seems this model is scarce.I don't even know if it has the correct movement,the one in there is three years earlier and is 23 jewels.Too bad because it runs like a charm.

Andersok
Posted December 18, 2015 - 5:10pm

If you search for other models from the Clipper line, such as the Royal, Golden, Yankee, Jet, Midnight, Sea, etc, around 1964, those may give you a good idea of the movement that was likely used in the Sun Clipper as well; possibly the 11ALAC or earlier 11AFAC - 17 jewel auto. Although in 1964 this model looks to have moved to the 23 jewel version (1964ad Canadian prices)

The 1964 pricelist shows two $85 models of the Sun Clipper, model 1169 and model 13298, could jewel count be the difference?

Yes, I don't see too many of the Sun Clippers.

jabs
Posted December 19, 2015 - 6:28am

Agree with Sun Clipper

William Smith
Posted December 21, 2015 - 10:24am

I wonder if this was some kind of dedication watch, and there use to be "something very thin" behind the opening?  Maybe a company logo or such, and it has since been lost or removed?  Just an interesting dial mode as it is now.
Sun Clipper

Reverend Rob
Posted December 22, 2015 - 10:18am
 

As it stands, there is nothing to prevent the hour wheel from disengaging from the minute wheel. The dial prevents that, oftentimes via a flexible dial washer.

If the minute hand is far enough down the cannon pinion, the hour wheel may be stopped from disengaging by it's pipe hitting the underside of the minute hand, but you don't really want that, either. Various clips and inserts have been developed for skeletonized watches so this does not happen. 

Sun Clippers are my favourite kind of Clipper, but getting scarce.