Bulova 1961 Sea King

1/10 votes
Model ID rating explained.
1.02
Manufacture Year: 
1961
Movement Model: 
11AFC
Movement Jewels: 
17
Case Serial No.: 
D66022
Case shape: 
Round
Crystal Details: 
30mm hi-dome (Approximate!)
Gender: 
Men's
Additional Information: 

I'm attempting to identify this one-piece asymetrical M1 with 11AFC movement.

I'm finally restoring the dial, but wonder what original colors were available for this model.  It originally appeared to be a pearl color.  I've seen a similar "Sea Shark" model, but nothing with the asymetric lugs.

I swear it took me a day of looking at this watch before I realized it had the different top / bottom lugs.

I know the pictures aren't great, but I hope to update after dial restoration.   Thanks!

I added another watch that looks to be the same. (image 3)   Dial is slightly different.

 

Not For Sale
Help ID - M1 Asymetric lugs - one-piece SS case. 11AFC
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
mybulova_admin
Posted January 7, 2012 - 1:25am

Club 5000Panel Member

Clipper, Sea King, Surf King come to mind, but I cannot see an exact match for this case/dial/hands combination.

roundgoldwinders
Posted January 7, 2012 - 4:31am

I found what looks like the same case with different dial in the first ad on this page - http://www.mybulova.com/vintage-bulova-watch-ads?page=9

Sea King.   I can't make out the details, though.

FifthAvenueRestorations's picture
FifthAvenueRest...
Posted January 7, 2012 - 10:17am

These are proving to be the most difficult to ID,  the Case styles are the same amongst many but their design is not.

'CLIPPER's were Automatic with a Caseback held with a retaining ring so eliminate that possibility.

'SEA KING' IMO and the Case should be 2 parts.

roundgoldwinders
Posted January 11, 2012 - 1:15am

I sent the dial and hands for refinish.  I'll probably keep it simple.

Also - Case is one piece.  Has two-piece stem.   I still haven't found any pictures other than the small one in the 1961 ad.  That one doesn't have same dial and has WATERPROOF on dial. 

If I recall, the finish in the (my watch) picture had silver-tone hour markers, but they were plated over gold-tone metal.  Rest of dial was shiny white steel.  Seemed odd to silver plate the gold-tone markers when they were made gold-tone intentionally for whatever reason.

Thanks!