Bulova 1963 Astrojet

Submitted by bjohn123 on
Manufacture Year
1963
Movement Model
11AFC
Movement Date Code
M3
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
???
Case Serial No.
maybe 398 ???
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Other
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Tentative 1963 Astrojet.  Model 398 vs 398-1 ???

This one is a bit different from the other 3 on the site in that it does not have the date window at 3 o'clock.   White stainless steel case that is exactly 33mm across not including the crown and lugs.   Nice white/burst dial with stainless color indices to match the case and actual numbers only at the 12 and 6 positions.  Screw-on caseback with what looks like the "Goddess of Time" logo on the outside.  Inside caseback has the same MLB tombstone as the others listed, but where the others are numbered 398-1 this on only has 398 with no dash or one.  Maybe these indicate different model numbers with the -1 having the date window feature added.  As I saw mentioned in responses on the others, very similar to the later aero-jets in many ways.  

As always, thanks for looking!

 

001 Front
02 Back
03 Inside Back
04 Movement
05 Crown Side
JimDon5822
Posted July 1, 2025 - 10:28pm

Thank you for posting your watch.  We have three watches with Astrojet on the dial but all have date windows.  We have found no ads to support the Astrojet name but have relied on the dial print to call it an Astrojet.   Interestingly Benrus trademarked the name for watches while American Airlines trademarked it for the Boeing 707.   Since Bulova was the official watch of American Airlines it is possible there was some connection.  Also with Benrus copyrighting the name most likely Bulova had to stop the name.  This is just a theory.  I am good with this being a 1963 Bulova Astrojet based on the dial designation.        

bjohn123
Posted July 2, 2025 - 8:51pm

In reply to by JimDon5822

Interesting information on the competitor trademarking and the Bulova and American Airlines connection.  Thanks!  

mybulova_admin
Posted July 2, 2025 - 5:30am

Certainly a different looking model from what we have seen in the International linebook, The 'Aerojet' dial stamping in very different from the norm, but there are the later models. So perhaps this is how the design/font originally started out as.

Happy also to ID as a 1963 Bulova Aerojet.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 2, 2025 - 9:12am

1963 Bulova Astrojet seems like a reasonable choice based on dial text..

Also noting presumed International origin based on case back design.

Kathy L.
Posted July 2, 2025 - 9:46am

I would say probably International as well.

1963 Bulova Astrojet is a good ID

Andersok
Posted July 2, 2025 - 11:37am

International also based on no import stamp on movement.

Astrojet for me.

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