Bulova 1965 Commander

Submitted by steven_s on October 26, 2013 - 1:12pm
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
unknown
Movement Jewels
30
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
D25281
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
1 1/8 inch dia.
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I received this watch as my high school graduation gift.  It was purchased at Redmon Jewelers which was located in a strip shopping center on General Meyer Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana, in the West Bank area.  It would have been purchased either late May or early June 1968.  It's self winding.  As I recall the purchase price was less than $100.  It's hard to see in the photo, but the face has sort of a fabric texture appearance.  The watch has been in the back of a drawer for many years, but when I wound it it started running.  It appears to be losing about 15 to 20 seconds a day.  Stainless steel case, waterproof, self winding, anti-magnetic, and shock resistant. I have no idea of the watch model.  I don't  have either the box it came in or any papers that came with it. Added information on Oct 27, 2013:  The stainless steel mesh band is original to the watch and was always in use.  It has a folding clasp on the back.

Correction on Oct 28, 2013:  Date code M5.  Manufacture year corrected to 1965.

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Geoff Baker
Posted October 27, 2013 - 6:05am

Hi Steven - welcome to myBulova. Looks like you've treasured this beauty over the years. My graduation watch was a Caravelle at half the cost of this one! (My dad did make up for it by giving me my first Bulova a couple years later though).

If you're planning on wearing it, I strongly suggest a thorough service to make sure it's ready to go ahead.

I'm tentative on the Commander ID - it seems a bit of a stretch from the advert date.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 28, 2013 - 1:36am

Date code on the back of the watch looks like 'M5'. Can you confirm?

steven_s
Posted October 28, 2013 - 7:24am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I was taking another look at the date code and got out a 10x magnifier.  The date code is M5.  Obviously I made the error of assuming it was M8 because the watch was purchased in 1968.  I'll correct it in the listing.  I'm guessing the watch was "old" stock when it was purchased.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 28, 2013 - 7:55am

Totally agree with Fifth...'COMMANDER'. Case, dial is a perfect match.

Reverend Rob
Posted October 28, 2013 - 10:26am

Commander, great example. I'd be interested to know what the movement is.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 28, 2013 - 10:59am

10 COAC

stoddrob
Posted October 28, 2013 - 1:32pm

Servicing these is a challange due to the offset center wheel. There is a friction-pressed drive gear on the pinion that is ALWAYS the source of problems with the 30J COAC. Just be careful who you take it too....and find someone who has enough experience with this particular movement so as not to damage it. Rob

OldTicker
Posted October 29, 2013 - 12:52am

Agree on the Commander, it would be well worth having it serviced...a nice heirloom that you can pass on to others.