Bulova 1956 -Unknown

Submitted by JimDon5822 on
Manufacture Year
1956
Movement Model
11ACC
Movement Date Code
L6
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
37064
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Here is another example of this unknown 1956 Unknown that confirms this is not a frankenwatch but a factory model.   The case is a three piece  with a case back and case ring.   The inside case back is marked US ZONE GERMANY.   The movement is an 11ACC 17J with an L6 date code.   Great looking waffle dial with even hour markers.   No ads to match this one.  Looks like a Senator case so it might be an unknown variant of the Senator.  Unknown, like the other, for now.

1956 Unknown
1956 Unknown Movement
1956 Unknown Back
1956 Unknown Inner case back
Kathy L.
Posted August 12, 2026 - 11:01am

Nice to have another example.

1956 Unknown

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 14, 2026 - 5:18am

very similar to the 'NAVIGATOR' of era, I suspect a variant. 

Same Dial and Hands, movement and case design, the only 'oddball' being the bezel itself. 

mybulova_admin
Posted August 14, 2026 - 7:41am

Same dial, hands and movement as a 1956 Bulova Phantom "A".

This would be my ID to group with the other examples we have in the database.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 14, 2026 - 11:47am

as far as I am aware the 'PHANTOM' has a press fit bezel. 

The subject watch has a caseback fitted with a back ring. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 14, 2026 - 12:00pm

this interior instruction leaf from a Bulova press uses the 'PHANTOM' as an example

 

JimDon5822
Posted August 14, 2026 - 1:46pm

This is not a Phantom.  As noted the case is a one piece.  This is a three piece.  We now have two examples showing this case with US Germany Zone.  I suspect it was part of the Marshall Plan in helping German industry rebuild.   Found the following reference online.  Matches the PUW import code on my watch.

  • The Marshall Plan & German Watchmaking: Following World War II, the European Recovery Program (Marshall Plan) heavily aided the reconstruction of devastated industrial centers in West Germany—including the famous watchmaking hub of Pforzheim (reviving manufacturers like Laco and Durowe). [1, 2]
  • West German Movements: In the 1970s, some vintage Bulova and Caravelle-branded pieces incorporated mechanical and quartz movements explicitly stamped Germany or W. Germany (often utilizing reliable ebauches from movement makers like PUW)
Geoff Baker
Posted August 14, 2026 - 10:12pm

I like it, No idea what his name is, prove to me it's not Unknown.....it is to me right now

mybulova_admin
Posted August 14, 2026 - 11:46pm

Leaning back towards a Navigator but settling at unknown also.

Have just spent some time looking through a bunch of Navigator adverts that all have the same style case as seen here.

I did find this advert which was the only one showing a different case.

1957 Bulova Navigator advert variant