Bulova 1970 Sea King

Submitted by plainsmen on
FR
Manufacture Year
1970
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
C12686
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Now this is an interesting case.  I recently purchased this NO stamped Bulova from the EU.  It's on the way to me now, and these are the sellers pics. I'd say this case is transitional as it's probably the latest "gold filled" men's case I've seen?  It was mostly electroless micro gold  bezels only etc. Looks like a crystal opener, and I'm terrible at those so I'll have to have a watchmaker give us a clue what the movement is. Really cool black dial and blue hands and markers.  I do not believe I've seen this watch before. The 🐋 on the dial puts it maybe some sort of Clipper?

1970 Bulova Unk Men's 9-8-21 F
1970 Bulova Unk Men's 9-8-21 L
1970 Bulova Unk Men's 9-8-21 R
1970 Bulova Unk Men's 9-8-21 B
neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 9, 2021 - 5:17pm

I agree, this is definitely a Sea King and more than likely the "FR" variant missing the faceted crystal. Take note of the overly wide space between the second/minutes track and the crystal opening (to accommodate the facets).

Pending verification that the model variant designation didn't change between 1967 and 1970 I'm in for

1970 Sea King "FR"

Nice looking watch!

JimDon5822
Posted September 9, 2021 - 10:13pm

I am on the 1970 Bulova Sea King "FR" as being the most likely candidate.  While the dial is not an exact match to the white dial I would not be surprised if the black dial was slightly different for style purposes.  Missing the faceted crystal.  Found in the 1970 line book BAWD0175 pg 29

Sea king FRSEA king fr

mybulova_admin
Posted September 9, 2021 - 10:25pm

Assuming the faceted crsytal is hiding the distinctive minute track, I would tend to agree with it being the Sea King "FR". Although the other example does clearly show the track with the faceted crystal, so perhaps with the white dial version and linebook it makes it hard to see.

Kathy L.
Posted September 10, 2021 - 1:08am

Great looking model.

1970 Bulova Sea King "FR"