I think this is a Clipper of some kind, and these pics don't do it justice, it is a good looking watch. I don't think it has ever been serviced, there is no indication that anyone has ever opened the case, in fact, it was a bit of a pain to get it open due to age and corrosion. There isn't a mark on the movt anywhere to suggest it has ever been touched, a bit concerning, considering it appears to be well worn. Bracelet as recieved is a half expansion JB Champion that looks like it might be original? It will get the full CTR and polish, and I should mention that the bezel does not have any texture like on some clippers of the same period. It is simply a polished stainless case. It is difficult to make out in the pic, but the dial says 'Automatic'.
Is the dial patterned or linen? It looks alot like the Jet Clipper 'AC'
Band looks to be original also
good match Jet Clipper "AC"
The dial is linen. When I re-sized the pics, they lost a lot of resolution.
In reply to The dial is linen. When I by Reverend Rob
Reverend Bob,
I have one of these, an M7, but otherwise identical. Couple of things. I would suggest that the dial, being so luminous, is better characterized as raw silk rather than linen. One of the most beautiful dials I have ever seen on a Bulova. Second question, does your watch have any signature on the crown? I ask because mine looks just like yours, but it has a "C" on it. I am thinking a replacement when the watchmaker (there is scribing) was in it? Since you were likely the first to open yours I would consider it an ironclad prototype for what crown should be on it. I have everything out of the case now for clean-up, but am not going to replace the crown until I get the gospel from you. Thanx
jimmy
In reply to Reverend Bob, I have one of… by gmmy775
IMO, If your crown has a "C" on it, it's from or for a Caravelle.
In reply to Reverend Bob, I have one of… by gmmy775
Hi Jimmy, I sold the watch back in 2017, so I can't say for sure if there was a signed crown. Caravelle crowns are a common replacement on Bulovas, as they often share the same dimensions.
Here is another advert showing the Bulova Jet Clipper 'AC'. Note Clipper says 'Waterproof' like the subject watch.
There is also the Bulova Sea King 'CB' (I think), that shows the satin dial nicely with a band match.
Sea King is 'Water Resistant'
In reply to Here is another advert by mybulova_admin
The Clipper ad is almost impossible to read the dial, but the Sea King CB looks like it says 'Self Winding' on the dial, unlike the subject watch.
The Sea Kings around this time tended to have the Whale on the dial, but not always, unless we have one or two mis- ID'ed. I'm thinking the illustration in both ads (Sea King and first Jet Clipper ad) looks like it was taken from the same source, they look identical.
Yep I'm in for a Bulova Jet Clipper 'AC'