1950's Bulova A17A - Military Issued

This 1950s Bulova A-17A is a true military-issued aviation timepiece, produced specifically for U.S. Air Force pilots and navigators. Built to meet demanding flight-use requirements, the A-17A was designed for maximum precision, reliability, and legibility in the cockpit.

At its core is the Bulova 10BNCH movement, upgraded in the A-17A specification to a higher-grade 17-jewel configuration. This distinguished it from the closely related MIL-W-3818A models, which were issued with lower-jewel movements. The increased jewel count allowed for smoother operation, reduced friction, and improved long-term accuracy—critical qualities for aerial navigation.

The dial follows strict military design standards, featuring bold Arabic numerals, a highly legible minute track, and functional hands for quick, accurate time reading under flight conditions. Housed in a compact, utilitarian case, the watch remains comfortable on the wrist while retaining its unmistakable military tool-watch presence.

Highly collectible and historically significant, the Bulova A-17A represents one of the finest examples of American military aviation watchmaking—offering superior precision, authentic service heritage, and true 1950s military craftsmanship.