Bulova 1976 -Unknown

Submitted by JimDon5822 on November 18, 2019 - 12:25am
Manufacture Year
1976
Movement Model
11ANC
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Round Plastic domed
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I saw this on ebay cheap and it looked very rough but intriguing.  I fully expected it to be a quartz but was pleasantly surprised to see a gorgeous copper 11ANC 17J movement.  I was able to save the crystal and had to polish off some type of finish that was peeling off the case. It came out great.     A new crown and service and she is looking very attractive.  Here are the details.

This is a 1976 Bulova Railroad or 24 Hour style watch.    It has a brushed yellow gold plate case the a stainless steel screw down back and inner metal dust cover.   The dial is a vertical white linen stripe with yellow gold applied hour markers and printed red 24 hour markers.  The movement is an 11ANC 17J movement with an N6 date code.  The stainless steel back has no markings on the inside but on the back has a N6 date code along with Bulova Shock Resistant Antimagnetic Stainless Steel Back.   This is where it gets interesting.  It also has "Waterproof". It was my understanding that "waterproof" was banned in the mid 1960s but this might be a U.S. thing only and this could be a non-U.S. model.     The back is clearly correct to 1976 as the N6 date code is on it.   I cannot find any ads remotely close.  The only dials like this all seem to be Accutrons.  I look forward to your thoughts on this one.

1976 Bulova watch
1976 Bulova watch
1976 Bulova watch
1976 Bulova watch
JimDon5822
Posted November 18, 2019 - 12:28am

Correction.  The movement has a N4 Date code but an N6 on the Caseback.

Andersok
Posted November 22, 2019 - 7:14am

Possibly an International model, as I do not see an import code on the movement. I don't think a proper Bulova case would have WaterProof on it in the mid-70s; not sure if that restriction applied to the entire global market or USA only. Is there a case number stamped inside the back?

Kathy L.
Posted November 22, 2019 - 4:31pm

Very cool watch but alas I am at unknown for now.

Geoff Baker
Posted November 23, 2019 - 10:25pm

I thought the same as Ken, the back is not at all like the US models.

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 24, 2019 - 5:09pm

I'm on board with Ken and Geoff; non-standard watch for the US market. Waterproof marking suggests assembly outside the US as well as the lack of an import code on movement. I'm at unknown as well with no ads for a comparable US model.