Bulova 1971 Sabre

Submitted by afterworkproject on
Manufacture Year
1971
Movement Model
8AE
Movement Date Code
N0
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
unknown
Case Serial No.
F60577
Case shape
Square
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Based on the 1971 advert from this forum I believe this is a Bulova Sabre Type C, however the dial is not orange. I think the dial has been refinished, but would like Bulova experts to weigh in with their thoughts. Dial has a lot of fibres / dust under the crystal. I believe the bracelet is original. It's a great slim watch on the wrist, i do need to test the "two nickel thickness". This was a recent ebay purchase. 

Front
Case Back
Clasp
Inside of case back
Movement
neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 21, 2025 - 7:05pm

Wow, welcome and thanks for sharing. That is a real beauty/ I believe you are correct that it is a Sabre, but I personally believe it is as it came from the factory. Original band and original finish dial. I'm currently unable to find an ad, but we have several Sabres in the database that range from variant A to M. We have only ID'ed A, B. C and M; so there a lot of letters missing. At this point, I am comfortable calling your treasure a 

1971 Sabre - no variant

Still looking 

Geoff Baker
Posted October 21, 2025 - 9:42pm

My guess is a redial Sabre C from orange to blue. In the Sabre line, this (C) is the only square case. 1971 Bulova Sabre

JimDon5822
Posted October 22, 2025 - 12:42am

There is a variant C and Variant F with this case.   I believe this to be factory so I am going with 1971 Bulova Sabre until we uncover an ad with the variant designation.

 

mybulova_admin
Posted October 22, 2025 - 6:38am

I concur with the linebook references for both the "C" and "F" variant having this case style. Having said that the "C" is stainless steel and the "F" is yellow gold plate.

So unless the blue dial is another variant, I would agree with Geoff and said this it's the "C" with a redial, although the dial does look original.

A 'V' notch in the dial might indicate if it's been redone.

afterworkproject
Posted October 26, 2025 - 3:03pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Hi, I removed the dial and movement from the case and noticed a 'V' notch at the 3'oclock position. Would this be what you were referring to as an indication if the dial has been redone? From the photo you can also see an overspray or paint on the dial edge. Would this be an indicator of a redone dial as well?

 

Dial with notch at 3

afterworkproject
Posted October 22, 2025 - 8:22am

Thank you all for the comments. I'll attempt to take the dial and movement out the case on the weekend and take some closer pics and look if there is 'V' notch in the dial. It does need to go to the local watch repair shop (i live in Nassau, The Bahamas) to adjust movement, currently running about 2 minutes fast per day and add a gasket to the case back. I will continue to trawl the internet on Bulova sabre variants / catalogs etc. If it is a re-dial, whoever chose the color, chose very well, the blue tone is very nice in person. Thank you again.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 26, 2025 - 5:44pm

In reply to by afterworkproject

Yes, the notch is a good indication the dial was refinished. It's a locator mark used to hold the dial perfectly aligned in a template for refinishing. I agree, if the color is not original, it's a great choice.

afterworkproject
Posted October 27, 2025 - 8:46am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Thank you for the information. Appreciate you all on this forum. 

Andersok
Posted October 22, 2025 - 7:45pm

Agree with Sabre, but not a match to a variant that I can find.

Kathy L.
Posted October 22, 2025 - 8:18pm

Generic Sabre seems like the best ID.

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