Bulova 1960 Sea Clipper

Submitted by insman1515 on
AW
Manufacture Year
1960
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This was my grandfather’s watch. I know nothing other than what’s physically printed on the watch. I tried opening the case back but have been unsuccessful. I’m not even sure that it is designed to open. Any help you could give me about get to the movement and about the watch in general is greatly appreciated. 

Dial side
Case back
Crown
Crown closeup
Caseback 2
neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 16, 2026 - 4:09pm

Welcome and thanks for sharing your heirloom. How great to have your Grandfather's watch! Based on this entry in the 1960 Bulova Linebook139, it looks to be a 

1960 Sea Clipper "AW"

seaclipAW1seaclipAW2

mybulova_admin
Posted August 17, 2026 - 6:20am

The watch opens via the front with the front bezel and crystal pop off. A tricky thing to take off and even tricker to get back on.

The year might be +- a year but without knowing for sure a 1960 Bulova Sea Clipper "AW" is a match for the linebook. 

JimDon5822
Posted August 17, 2026 - 9:57am

1960 Sea Clipper "AW" is a good match.  Front loaders are strange.  The crown pulls off as it is a two piece stem.   Then you remove the crystal to drop out the movement.   This structure makes them a little more water resistant.  

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 18, 2026 - 9:10am

I do not think this case design is front loading. 

It seems to have a  press fit bezel evident here by the notch which allows the movement, back and crystal to fall away from the bezel. 

.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 18, 2026 - 10:33am

*for the OP:  a visual of how this case is designed and how to access the Crystal / Movement can be found here - https://mybulova.com/sites/default/files/uploaded_photos/user472/BulovaPress8142026.JPG

basically direct pressure applied to the crystal while supporting the bezel lugs will separate the 2 halves of the case,  no need to pull the crown.  

mybulova_admin
Posted August 19, 2026 - 5:29am

Waiting to see if the case can be opened for additional information, otherwise a 1960 Bulova Sea Clipper "AW" would seem appropriate.

plainsmen
Posted August 26, 2026 - 2:03am

I agree with the Clipper AW. 

insman1515
Posted August 27, 2026 - 2:56pm

Everyone,  Thanks so much for all of your input.  It is indeed a front loading case with a split crown.  Once I got the case open, I did a full service on the watch.  The automatic works are very unique and was a bit of a challenge on this one.  I'm still mot sure the exact model of the watch but the movement is the 11 ACAC.  The little research I did after getting the case open said that movement was made between 1955 and 1957.  Anyway, again, thanks for your help.  It runs amazing.  I was going to add some pics of the finished watch but It is asking me to add the pictures via URL.  I don't know how to do that.