Bulova 1960 American Clipper

Submitted by cosmicboss on
Manufacture Year
1960
Movement Model
11AFAC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
E35205
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Watch Description

10k real gold-plated case/bezel, stainless steel back, waterproof, shock resistant, self-winding, leather band gold buckle.

The inside of the case back has "21583" w/ the 5 underscored, "87XCX", and an illegible signature (possibly a date?) engraved/etched.

10k Gold plated round
Watch Side
Movement w/ N0 on rotor
Case back
band and buckle
cosmicboss
Posted April 13, 2025 - 12:43am

The year is just a guess. I have no idea about what year this watch could be.

cosmicboss
Posted April 13, 2025 - 1:35pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Upon closer inspection, and understanding a little bit what to look for I have noticed the year code. It is “N0”.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 13, 2025 - 1:39pm

In reply to by cosmicboss

I think you mis-typed. Date code is above the serial number on case back, and is "M0" (1960)

cosmicboss
Posted April 13, 2025 - 1:42pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Oh. I see. I was looking at the movement. Next to where it says “Swiss unadjusted” it has N0. I also now see in the case back the M0.

So what does that mean?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 13, 2025 - 8:39am

Your watch is a 

1960 American Clipper

Like THIS ONE.

cosmicboss
Posted April 13, 2025 - 1:46pm

Thank your for the help Neetstuf. I think the clear gasket inside the case has shrunk and is preventing the counterweight from freely spinning. Any info on the specs for it?

JimDon5822
Posted April 13, 2025 - 5:09pm

1960 Bulova American Clipper is a good match.  The N and M can sometimes look similar but clearly a 1960 model. 

cosmicboss
Posted April 13, 2025 - 5:31pm

In reply to by JimDon5822

Thank you again. I can confirm under 16x magnification that the movement sports a “N0”.

Does the M0 on the case takes precedence then over the mark on the movement? Or does it only mean that the parts were manufactured a different times? Perhaps the movement was replaced at some point?

mybulova_admin
Posted April 13, 2025 - 10:00pm

In reply to by cosmicboss

A 1960 case with a 1970 movement indicates that the movement has been replaced and would not be original to the watch. This throws a bit of a spanner in the works when correctly IDing a watch, as the key parts are no longer original. A one or two year gap is acceptable, but a 10 year gap typcally means we would ID as a non-conforming watch. You might need to triple check the date code on the movement. The 11AFAC should be M0 and not a N0.