Bulova 1965 American Eagle

Submitted by bjohn123 on
D
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
11AF
Movement Date Code
M5
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
I302259
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Round
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I believe this is a 1965 American Eagle.  It has a rectangular gold electroplated case with a great texture pattern on it.  The case is about 30mm x 31.5mm not including lugs and crown.  Stainless steel back that a previous owner has done what looks like a do-it-yourself engraving job on.  Beautiful white linen texture dial with cool font numbers at 9-12-3 positions and sunken second hand at 6.   Runs and keeps good time.  The American Eagle's are some of my favorite 60's Bulova's and I have a couple of different ones.

In addition to ID confirmation of the watch, would anyone know if this could be an original band or not?  Might there be any linebook photos showing this one with an original band?   The texture on this band looks identical to the watch, which I hope shows up clear in the photo's.  It is branded Kestenmade and I don't know what brands Bulova might have used during this time(or if they made their own).  I have seen several of these over the years and actually have cleaner one in my collection, but had not seen what appears to be a matching band before.

Thanks as always!  

Front
Crown Side
Band Texture vs Watch Texture.
Back
Original Band??
mybulova_admin
Posted June 29, 2025 - 1:51am

1965 Bulova American Eagle "D" looks like a match FYI 0015 of an inch equates to 40 microns.

1965 Bulova American Eagle "D"

mybulova_admin
Posted June 29, 2025 - 1:53am

The band on your watch does look close but is slightly different from what's shown in the linebook. I actually think the band you have on there now is much much better.

bjohn123
Posted June 29, 2025 - 6:33am

Thanks for the information and the linebook pic!  Yes, the original band was defininately different.  Looks like it has a slightly different texture from the watch alternating on every other band segment.  This kestenmade is an excellent texture match though.  

neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 29, 2025 - 7:08am

That's a great watch. I agree the band is likely a replacement but a dead match to the watch. I like it.

1965 Bulova American Eagle "D" 

Andersok
Posted June 29, 2025 - 7:17am

Agree with American Eagle "D". Nice example.

Geoff Baker
Posted June 29, 2025 - 9:23pm

1965 Bulova American Eagle D

JimDon5822
Posted June 30, 2025 - 6:24pm

Agree it is a 1965 Bulova American Eagle D