The Bulova Type A17A is a U.S. Military issued navigator/pilot’s timepiece that was in production from 1956-1962, which immediately replaced the previous mil-spec A-17. The A17A was designed as a navigation timepiece for pilots and aviators. The A17A is very similar to the A-17, featuring radium Arabic numerals, lumed pencil-style hands, and a subsidiary 24-hour track. However, the main difference is the 17-jewel Bulova cal. 10BNCH movement

The practical dial layout and no-nonsense design give the wearer the perfect utilitarian feeling that makes these early military watches so sought after. Although this is a smaller watch in nature, the dial layout was designed for fast legibility.

CASE & BRACELET

The wonderful case has been previously polished and retains strong, symmetrical lugs that show light honest signs of use. The smooth stainless steel bezel is in excellent condition and shows little wear from use. The case is believed to retains its original, large unsigned crown. The screw-down case back clearly displays all military markings in excellent and visible condition. The watch will come supplied on a vintage single pass strap.

DIAL & HANDS

The original radium lume plots and Arabic numerals have aged evenly to a charming sandy patina, under U.V. light inspection there is a small mark partially through the “1” in the “10”, the rest of the lume plots remain fully intact without degradation. The original hands match the dial nicely and remain in great condition, under U.V. light inspection the minute and sweep seconds hands retain their original lume, the hour hand was repaired in the middle of the hand with radium prior to our acquisition.

ACCESSORIES 

None. Watch is functioning and keeping time perfectly, previous service history is unknown.