Looking for a good reliable watch repair person. Have a 14k ladies 1924 watch that needs repair. Has a 6 AF Movement 17 jewel.
Hello,
New to the forum, but it has already been very informative. Recently I acquired a vintage Bulova Automatic, that this forum helped identify, 1976 Bulova 11543-6W, case# 7691, mvmt# 17j 11 AOACD. I’m the son of a watchmaker, although not my profession, I always watched and learned, so I’m an avid home hobbyist that can tackle most things. This watch came with a cracked crystal, but was mainly only noticeable by me. I decided to replace the crystal and sourced the matching OEM Bulova one, 7687 FL. It does have the flange on the back, so I am confident it is not a front loader. I proceeded to do what needs to be done for the crystal swap. I didn’t remove the crown and stem, although I’m not sure I needed to as there is a channel for it to be left in and still remove the movement. That being said, I removed the case clamps and then tried to remove the movement ring. It doesn’t budge and almost seems like it is pressed in. If anyone has any suggestions I would welcome them. Thanks all and I look forward to learning more from this forum. I will attempt to add pics as well.
In reply to Hello, New to the forum, but… by karl1345
In reply to Definitely looks like it's a… by mybulova_admin
In reply to Thanks for the response. It… by karl1345
Well...I have an update for all. The ring is out. Became my mission today to solve the problem. I would love to take credit for it, but being to paranoid about buggering something up, I stopped in at a watchmaker friend of mine when out doing some errands. He was puzzled and perplexed as well. He looked under his microscope and couldn't see anything retaining the movement into it, but did notice there was some solder on the tube where it meets the movement ring. He asked another watchmaker there his opinion and he thought the whole thing was one unit, which turns out it was. Biggest, baddest movement ring I've ever seen. So he employed more elbow grease than I and it finally popped out. Turns out it was essential glued in place by the deposits of sweat, spent bodily cells and who knows what else. So everything is in the cleaning process now and I'll share photos of the behemoth ring once cleaned up. If anyone has a G947 crystal gasket or knows the measurements of such it would be a huge help. I have the G942 case gasket enroute, but hitting dead-ends for the crystal gasket. Thanks for everyone's help and insight.
Take care
Karl
In reply to Well...I have an update for… by karl1345
In reply to Glad you were finally able… by mybulova_admin
Thanks! Will certainly post pics, although may be a few weeks. Found one of the gaskets, case gasket, but I'm betting at least 2-3 weeks before I get it. Now trying to locate the crystal gasket. G947, or at least the measurements for it. There wasn't one in it when I disassembled it. If anyone has a location/vendor or info, that would be great. Thanks again.
Hi Bulova lover !
Need to know in mm the band width for a president wandering second. I just snag it on the bay and want to buy the strap while i wait for the watch fall in my hand.(2-3 weeks).
Really not sure if its 13mm or 14mm.
i know some of the panel member may have this watch again in hand, please just let me know the measurement please.
Oh .... And i wish to all a happy new year and a lot of find on your bucket list !!!
In reply to Hi Bulova lover ! Need to… by mart1n888
In reply to At a minimum it would be… by mybulova_admin
So...a follow up. I haven't started putting everything together yet as I'm kind of stuck. I'm in need of a crystal gasket for it, Bulova G947. I have the caseback gasket, new Bulova crystal and everything else I need, other than the crystal gasket. There wasn't one on it when I disassembled it, so I have no idea what it even looks like and can't find and information on the G947 gasket either. The crystal has a flange on it (pics attached), so it's not an "I" gasket and I doubt it is an "L" shaped one either. If anyone can give me any advice, information or better yet, have one I can purchase from them. Also, while posting, if anyone has an end link for this bracelet (pics attached), I would like to put the original Bulova stainless bracelet back on. Thanks all!/sites/default/files/uploaded_photos/user26603/13399.jpg/sites/default/files/uploaded_photos/user26603/13406.jpg/sites/default/files/uploaded_photos/user26603/13405.jpg
In reply to So...a follow up. I haven't… by karl1345
In reply to So...a follow up. I haven't… by karl1345
This place claims to have them Karl. I've never did any business with then.
In reply to This place claims to have… by 1955mercury
I have ordered a few times from them and I'm not a fan. Once they took the order and then just ghosted me (but didn't charge me). The other times they were very very slow to respond and then they want payment in, if I'm remembering correctly, Zelle. Which is just weird and not what I would call professional. I did get what I ordered but it took a long time.
I took a look at a few Bulova's of mine that take a flange crystal and the ABC catalog calls for a crystal gasket and none of them had one. The I remembered that I have a NOS Minute Man that takes a 1513FL crystal and according to the ABC catalog should take a G850 gasket. The NOS watch did not have a crystal gasket installed. I have a couple NOS examples of the 11649-W which the ABC catalog also says takes a crystal gasket for the flange crystal but haven't serviced them yet but I'll take a look when I do but I honestly don't think I will find a gasket there.
Here is the SS version of the gold NO Minute Man and you can see if there was a gasket it would go on the underside of the rim of the crystal and sit on top of that ridge (*). The movement ring rests on that ridge. Honestly, it doesn't seem like even if there was a gasket there it would do much to keep water from entering through the front. I know on other watches, like the Golden Clipper 'J', where the ABC catalog calls for a crystal gasket, the gasket came with the NOS crystal. Which makes sense. I would think the same would be true with these flange crystals but none of the NOS flange crystals that I've bought came with a gasket. 
In reply to I have ordered a few times… by GuyMontag
I had never even heard of Zelle until them. That is some interesting info on the crystal gasket of a few other models and will check it out in the morning. My wife told me I could do watch stuff all day as we are in the 24" swath of snowmagedon. Is that ABC Catalog available to a home hobbiest such as myself or is that a B2B only set up? Thanks for the response and I appreciate the help.
In reply to I had never even heard of… by karl1345
In reply to Both the 1974 Case Parts… by GuyMontag
In reply to This place claims to have… by 1955mercury
Oh, I'm familiar with them. Actually order the gasket from them, as well as the caseback gasket, some buffing materials and a replacement sweep second hand for a vintage Gruen Mickey Mouse my Dad gave me as a kid. Everything was listed on their site, I put in the order and paid using a credit card. A few days later, I received an email saying the order had been canceled. Now, when you go to order from their site, you need to set up a profile, and itnincludes what type of watchmaker you are, one of the choices from their drop-down menu is "Hobbiest". This is what I am, just an avid collector and restorer with 75+ different watches. I was able to getnin touch with them and they said they don't take credit cards, but thats one of the check out options on their own site?! Also, they said they don't work with "Hobbiests", even though it is one of their options. They agreed to keep the order, but I would have to use Zelle or pre-pay by check. My credit union doesn't use Zelle, as well as they don't have the crystal gasket in stock and can't get any more. Well, I needed the other items, so I sent them a check. It took many weeks for this all to process and be sent out and finally get to me. 2 of the 3 items ordered was actually what I needed. The second hand that arrived was not only the wrong sweep hand, but I ordered a red one and the one that arrived was white. When I reached out I was told they had no more red and couldn't order more. It cost only $2.50, but as I mentioned a refund, it seemed lost on them. I do not plan on using them for anything else and would, in my opinion, recommend them not to be used. Just my $.02 worth.
Thanks for the suggestion however, I do really appreciate it. Any other suggestions?
I inherited an Astronaut from my late father. The budgetaccutrons in Michigan got it running for me several years ago but recently the crystal has broken and the bezel became detached. I don’t think the place in Michigan is in business anymore. Looking for someone to replace the crystal and reattach the bezel. I am in Ohio. Would appreciate any advice.
In reply to /sites/default/files… by Moosepse
In reply to Looking for someone who… by watchnoob
In reply to Looking for someone who… by watchnoob
Carignan Watch Repair are phenomenal. Denis is a true master. It will be a while, but worth the wait.