Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulova Selfwinding Cal. 11 AFAC, 1962
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova (maker)
- Date
- 1962
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- BLVASW11
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BLVASW11)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1962 Bulova Selfwinding Cal. 11 AFAC (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BLVASW11), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated 1962. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The vintage Bulova obsession in the watch community is very real and here to stay! The unique and funky watches that Bulova made from the 60s-80s are always a cause for conversation. Ranging from colorful diving chronographs to eccentric electric watches like the famous Accutron. SPECS Stock # BLVASW11 Brand Bulova Style Selfwinding Model N/A Serial M2 Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Glossy Black Gilt Millimeters 34 Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The "fancy" lugged 2 piece case makes for an interesting offering to have come from Bulova. The case remains in good overall condition showing some of the original factory finishing. The watch will come supplied on a two-piece leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The glossy black gilt dial is free from any scratches or blemishes and remains deep black and glossy. The lume filled dauphine hands remain in great condition showing no visible lume loss or degradation. The applied lume on the dial is also in stunning condition showing no lume loss or degradation just like the hands. Both the dial and the hands have been inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is operating perfectly and keeping excellent time, previous service history is unknown.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Automatic (self-winding) watches
Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.
What to look for
- A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
- 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
- A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.
Dating clues
- Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
- Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
- Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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