This Bulova was purchased by my Brother in 1970 for my Father's birthday. He bought it in Hong Kong while on R&R from Vietnam. I had the watch repaired and the dealer said he had never seen a Bulova Ambassador that said waterproof nor one with a screw in the back of the case. He thought that it may have been an overseas model only.
Here is what I know.
It is an 18k gold watch with a 1966 year code on the case. It is a 30 jewel model.
I was told that the screw is because it is an N2 filled watch but I don't know if that is right.
In my search I have only seen one other like it and it was said to be a 1960 model.
Here are the photos
Thanks for any information.
Hans
http://www.antiques-now.co.uk/ad_detail.php?id=18908&category=vintage-watches
This is the link to the only other like it I could find. It is from a UK auction site.
In reply to http://www.antiques-now.co.uk by Hans
Wow!,Looks like it has the Buren made microrotor 12ECACD movement in there, but I know nothing of the screw in the back, or wether it's for a Nitrogen seal, new to me. Other members will probably be able to tell you more, but it's a gold Ambassador, that's for sure!
That is a unique watch and it's good to have a reference to another with the same, unusual, screw in the case back. It will be interesting to see what our experts turn up. If you can, copy the pics and info from that other site and keep the info with your watch.
This is the top end for the Buren Micro Rotor, with its 30 jewels. An excellent movt in a beautiful top of the line gold case, it doesn't get much better than this. This was cutting edge at the time, a movt which was modified with a chrono module and used by Breitling, Universal Geneve, and Heuer, among others. (Chronomat, Autavia, Polerouter, etc) Not sure what the screw is for, though.
I'd like to see the inside of the case back showing the other side of the screw and the info stamped there such as case maker and hallmarks. If it is designed to be nitrogen filled there should be some sort of valve (reed maybe).
Thank you all so much for the info. I thought it was a pretty nice watch, but had no idea it was top of the line Bulova.
I was told the N2 fill was to pressurize the watch as well as to protect the internals against moisture. Seems they put the watches in a box with the screw removed from the back, then they pressurized the box with N2, installed the gasket and screw, then vented the box to remove the watches. I have no idea if that is true, but it does make sense.
I'm not sure I should try and remove the back of the case for a couple of reasons, biggest is I am not really a watch guy and I am afraid I will mess it up! LOL
Another is that if it is a filled watch and the repair shop did fill it, I have no way of refilling it if I break the seal.
Obviously an Ambassador, It's signed on the dial. add the watch to the database and it will get my 3 check vote.
OK, I added it as requested. I think I did anyway. I am new to this site and went to the add watch section so I hope that is correct.
Thank you all again.
Sorry, double posted somehow.
In reply to Sorry, double posted somehow. by Hans
Yes, it's all good. Thanks for sharing!