A very distinct looking watch, this Bulova chronograph! Rob sent it in for a service, as it sometimes stops.
Performance isn’t too bad considering the watch hasn’t seen a service for a long time.
What is marked as a Bulova 14EFAD is of course a Buren chronograph movement with a micro rotor. I love these – great movements, and the micro rotor is just a super construction.
The bezel is glued onto the case. Not quite sure that this is original 😉
I will fit a new crystal as the old one is pretty scratched.
The pushers are getting a good clean as well.
The movement does not only have an automatic winder, but also a date display.
The chronograph in all its beauty.
Slowly but surely, I work my way through it.
And the chronograph bridge is off, and we can now see the base movement. One of the great features of this movement is the intermediate winding wheel, which sits between two big round jewels.
The old mainpring in its barrel. You can’t get new mainsprings (or any parts, really) for this movement, so I will reuse the old one.
The bottom plate with the date mechanism.
A quite unusual clutch construction. When you set the time, wheel that drives the canon pinion can deform, so that the teeth can jump. If that’s elegant or not is another question 😉
Everything goes into the cleaning machine.
The mainspring greased and back in the barrel.
I put the balance jewels back into place.
In order to be able to put the gear train in, I have to put the bridge for the setting wheels back in.
Now I can put the gear train in. Only the escape wheel is jewelled, everything else runs in steel bushes.
Here you can see the steel bushes of the gear train.
Not fully wound, this is looking good for a first adjustment.
With the gear train beating, I now put in the micro rotor and its gears.
The winding gears back in place. All the pivots of the winding gear run in steel bushes as well.
I can now put the chronograph base plate back on.
And I start on the chronograph.
The chronograph put back together and adjusted.
Now I turn the movement over and put together the bottom plate.
And I’m ready for the dial and hands.
Cased with a new crystal.And with the bracelet. Unusual, great looking watch!
Hi it’s possible to change the plaxiglass? And the tachymeter scale ring ? Thanks
If you have one, yes, otherwise, no.
Love this movement! Hey Christian im intrested in knowing what type of breaking grease you use in your automatic watches? A watchmaker myself ive heard all types of different answers from different watchmakers, some use Molybdenum Bisulphide, Moebius 8301, 8217 (which is what i use) ive even had someone tell me that they used 8207 or cheaper mainspring grease with added graphite. So what do you use?
On brass barrels, I use Moebius 8213. I apply a couple of small dots on the barrel wall, and then spread it very thinly with a yellow oiler, holding the barrel on a piece of sharpened pegwood. I do this under the microscope.
Moebius 8217 is for larger barrels, but I don’t think that makes a lot of difference…
Wow outstanding watch! really cool dial… I have to say that to me… the hands look a little off place being black and the dial blue and silver. Any thoughts about the lack of jewels on the gear train?
Superb restoration Christian. I have the same exact watch, except for the missing bezel (common problem on this model). Mine just got out from the watchmaker for an overhaul. Some water came inside years ago, we had to clean a few parts and replace some. Yes, “NOS” parts are very difficult to find, especially both “reduction gears” of the automatic system, & the chronograph runner is a problem too. Your dial is gorgeous, mine has some oxydation. Would like to find a nice dial like yours (I hate redone dials). This movement is incredibly nice, same one we see on $3000-$6000 vintage Breitling’s & Heuer’s. Thans kfor all this info & great pics!
Servicemanual for this movement (11mb) is here to find >>>
http://www.google.dk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CGwQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.phfactor.net%2Fwtf%2FBulova%2520and%2520Caravelle%2F14%2520EFAD.pdf&ei=Lzg-U7nqHMT_ygOpx4HwBg&usg=AFQjCNEuGxWTcn4mOwSE0QJgaFVVzxeywA&bvm=bv.64125504,d.bGQ&cad=rja
Oooohhhh …. never seen one of those before. Want one! Great looking watch, I really like the slightly odd design. Bulova has never been my cup of tea, but I guess I’ll have to reconsider 🙂
As usual, interesting post & great work!
I’ve never seen one before either… but, yes – I want it also!
Bulova, bullhead, mental dial design and a micro-rotor chrono movement that is apparently quite significant in the development of such things – what’s not to love?
Here is one to find !
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400685653792?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
in a 45 degree turn version 🙂
Cool to see a “Bullshead” version of the cal 12 Automatic! I did not know that Bulova actually made that. The lack of parts makes me worried about my Breitling Trans-Ocean. I think it will need to feature here in not too long:-)
Hi Christian fantastic retro looking watch. From the first outside photo had not got a clue of the movement, but once opened instantly recognizable. Movement more often seen in Heuer Monaco or Breitling Chronomatic. Base caliber is a buren 1280 with a chronograph module designed by Dubois-Depraz. Always admired watches powered by this movement, but the nightmare of parts supply has always put me off. The amount of steel bushes is odd i thought more jewels would have been used. Many thanks again for your great blog.