JB Champion USA expandable SS bracelet
paired with 1966 Accutron Astronaut
earlier version of this bracelet known as " KOMFIT " by Forstner

 

September 1962... Mercury astronaut Leroy Gordo Cooper doesn't bother if his Accutron Astronaut is waterproof during scuba excercise
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Well, they were marketed as waterproof.

 

This ad for the Bulova Oceanographer is from the Australian edition of Time Magazine on July 25, 1969 - the same edition that detailed the successful Apollo XI mission.

It looks rather more like a sports dress watch than a "tough guy" watch and doesn't include a dive bezel.

 

1967 Bulova Snorkel Model J - Ref. 11403W - Cal. 11ALAC

 

Bulova is a great enthusiast, (fan)actic and serious collectors watch. A well organized secondary market and boatloads of supporters.

With Bulova, you can become a specialist for certain market segments and never really get bored. Not unusual to find guys who stick exclusively to one model or even more specifically, a certain year, etc, etc:

Someone who is a bit handy can become expert at servicing specific models, say 30 jewel 3 handers or a specific dive watch. Now you’ve got a real hobby and even potential to earn a little income. Monetizing your passions is probably one of the most satisfying things a person can do, right? (Never biting off more than you can chew!).

*edit - if anyone is looking for a close to mint case + crowns for this specific model - I’ve got one. I have no idea whats it’s worth (not much, I suppose). I bought it when I had the idea I was going to put one of these together from parts but then I found this watch what I think is...”uncommon”? on its own.

Anyway, shoot me a PM if interested in taking on my failed project....

 

my first Bulova cal.218 mod.256 year 1971

 

Full 52mm. Never have found a definitive name/model for these.

 

Isn't that the Curvex?

 

That would be Elgin but yes, this Bulova is that style. I like it way better though than the Elgin I’ve seen.

 

Actually it’s worth quite a bit. These are on the 13-$1500 scale. Your watch looks pretty clean.

 

Gruen had already trademarked "CURVEX" (1932) so it couldn't have been used by Bulova as I'm sure there would have been serious objections.

 

Do you have photos you can share of the movement and case back?

 

Curvex was a trademark of Gruen, and is identified with its rectangular watches having a curved case back. Today, the name "Curvex" is commonly, and incorrectly, used to describe most any vintage watch with a rectangular case having a curved case back.

The Gruen Curvex trademark actually relates to the architecture of the movement inside the watch, and not the case.

 

What is the first digit of serial number on the outside of the case back?

 

That is a mid-late 1940's President model, very nice.
I would love one!

 

I have a few Bulova Presidents from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. I don't believe the watch in question is a mid- to late-1940s President. By that time the design of the Presidents, as well as the rest of Bulova models, had moved in an entirely different direction. The largest (lug-to-lug) Presidents I have date from 1930s and measure only around 45mm. 52mm is "Invicta size".

The movement in the "mystery" has a production date of 1949, yet the case design is indicative of the late 1930s. This leads me to believe it is a Frankenwatch. If we had the first digit of the serial number on the outside of the case back we might be able to determine the production year for the case.

 

Perhaps a later replacement movement then?