Bulova 1970 Sea King

Submitted by Crotchhasteeth on May 8, 2013 - 3:10am
FL
Manufacture Year
1970
Movement Model
11blc
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
D73490
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Crystal details
press fit
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hey all,  -  I dont really need a identification , i dont think, as i have seen this watch once before here , when  i was a lurker. The case date code is a M0 . The model , as i understand it , is the Seaking "fl" . I have no idea what the fl means . So if anybody has that info , please by all means let me know. The watch was another Fleabay find. It came with a second watch, a 1940's wind up bulova {im not done it yet}'The listing said the blue dialed whale bulova{the seaking} worked, but the timing was off. I got the auction for 30 bucks US .  When i got the watch , the older bulova didnt work, it needs a clean and oiling. The Seaking came on a speidel stretch band{which i am no fan of} The case was scratched up badly, and the crystal was cracked badly and not usable . It took a few days, but i ordered a new GSdivers type press fit crystal for it. I then serviced the movement, which was all it needed to run correctly. It keeps time just fine now. The watch winds up and runs nicely. I relumed both the hands and the dial, as they both had that old lume that was turning brown black.  I gently filed, sanded , and buffed out the case , with out deforming the case or ruining the water resistance. I also replaced the gaskets on the back end. Then i put a new stainless steel bracelet on it that matched and fit well. The watch could be for sale, but for some reason the page wont let me keep the check mark by the for sale. 

Hope you all like it. Rod

1970 Sea ing crotchhasteeh 01 09 2014
1970 Bulova watch
1970 Bulova watch
JP
Posted May 8, 2013 - 10:07am

Nice watch. I would love to talk to you about tips on reluming dials. I  have no problem with hands but don't have a clue where to start on dials.

JP

bobbee
Posted May 8, 2013 - 10:16am

I do my own, using a very fine tipped artist's brush, a la Radium Girls.

Crotchhasteeth
Posted May 8, 2013 - 5:04pm

Feel free to PM me or Email me. I have no problem what so ever helping out another watch enthusiast .I help others all the time in other forums i am a part of.

There isnt too much to it, though. I just use glonation green lume dust. I usually mix it with clear PolyEurathane .

To work with the dial is something of a exercise in patience. You mainly, very slowly and carefully scrape of old lume with a toothpick, and blot the dial with a wad of rodico .Thats o the old lume {radium or what ever type} doesnt get anywhere it shouldnt. Once the dial is free of old lume, i mix a tiny cup full of lume , a tiny bit tacky , but still liquid. And i use another tooth pick and apply droplets of the lume mix to what ever marking on the dial that needs help. I "help " the lume liquid flow to the whole marker with the point of the tooth pick , i do this work under 12 x magnification. Rodico is very good at getting up small dribbles and accidents .

You will find minwax Poly clear is great for reluming. Its clear, and only yellows slightly when it dries . It will solidify in a hour, and dry enough to handle in 8 hours or so. And cures overnight. You can accelerate the drieing by using a hair dryer on low setting for a few minutes , be gentle. 

JP
Posted May 8, 2013 - 7:07pm

Thanks very much. I will give it a try on a few old dials and see if I can get the hang of it.

JP

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 8, 2013 - 7:19pm

NO would be the datecode.

1970 'SEA KING'

JP
Posted May 8, 2013 - 9:49pm

1970 Sea King

Geoff Baker
Posted May 9, 2013 - 5:38am

Agree Sea King

bobbee
Posted May 9, 2013 - 5:47am

Sea King "FL".

The "FL" is just a variant code, and variant code letters or letters/numbers are used to differentiate between Bulova watch varieties in certain models, Rod.

mybulova_admin
Posted May 11, 2013 - 10:04am

Generic Sea King for me as the 'FL' could be related to the "Blue" dial only.

bobbee
Posted May 12, 2013 - 5:34am

This has a blue dial, says so in the info at the top of the page. Sea King "FL", exactly like the two others in the DB.