Bulova 11BL Movement Series: Simple, Reliable, and Built for Elegance

The Bulova 11BL series is a group of compact, hand-wound mechanical watch movements developed during the 1960s and 1970s. Designed to be both practical and slim, the 11BL and its variants powered many of Bulova’s elegant dress watches for both men and women. This series remains popular among vintage watch collectors for its minimalist mechanics and reliable performance.

General Specifications of the Bulova 11BL

The 11BL is part of Bulova’s “11” movement family, where the number refers to the ligne size—a traditional unit of measure for watch movements. At approximately 11.5 ligne, or about 25.6 mm in diameter, the 11BL was ideal for smaller, slimmer watches that required efficient use of internal space.

Core Technical Specs:

• Movement type: Manual-winding (no automatic rotor)

• Diameter: ~11.5 ligne (~25.6 mm)

• Jewels: Typically 17 (some versions may have fewer for economy models)

• Beat rate: 18,000 vibrations per hour (bph)

• Power reserve: Around 42 hours

• Functions: Hours, minutes, and usually center seconds or small seconds

• Shock protection: Usually Incabloc or equivalent

• No date complication in base version

The movement was built for reliability, with a straightforward design that made it easy to manufacture, service, and repair.

Variants and Their Features

Bulova extended the 11BL family with suffixes indicating specific enhancements or added complications:

11BLC

• Adds a center seconds hand, rather than the small seconds sub-dial.

• Very common layout in 1960s dress watches.

• Often used in unisex and men’s watches with minimalist designs.

11BLD

• Introduces a date complication, typically located at the 3 o'clock position.

• “D” denotes “date.”

• Offers enhanced functionality for daily-wear users.

11BLCD

• Combines both center seconds and date.

• One of the most feature-rich versions in the family.

• Perfect for users who prefer a manual-wind watch with full calendar utility.

Each of these variants retained the slim profile and compact footprint that made the 11BL ideal for dress watches, with changes only to gear layouts and bridge architecture to accommodate added functions.

Typical Watch Designs Featuring 11BL Series Movements

Watches equipped with the 11BL family were generally elegant, understated, and highly wearable. They included:

• Thin stainless steel or gold-plated cases

• Simple dial layouts, often with applied baton indices

• Classic dauphine or leaf-style hands

• Manual-wind crowns, flush with the case for minimal bulk

These watches appealed to professionals, fashion-conscious buyers, and anyone wanting a reliable watch with timeless aesthetics.

Maintenance and Reliability

The 11BL movement is simple to service and quite durable for its era. With relatively few components and no complex modules like automatic rotors or chronograph wheels, servicing costs remain reasonable for vintage enthusiasts.

Watchmaker Notes:

• Mainspring and gear train wear are minimal with regular lubrication.

• Setting and winding mechanisms are robust but benefit from periodic inspection.

• Spare parts are moderately available, especially among 11-series donor movements.

Collectors often find 11BL-powered watches still ticking decades later, a testament to their mechanical resilience.

Collectibility and Practical Appeal

While the Bulova 11BL series is not considered rare or highly collectible in monetary terms, it enjoys a loyal following among fans of vintage mechanical simplicity. Its affordability and ease of service make it a great entry point into vintage watch collecting.

Reasons to appreciate the 11BL series:

• Reliable and long-lasting

• Classic hand-wound experience

• Thin and stylish vintage cases

• Practical variants with center seconds and date

• Affordable and accessible in today’s market

Final Thoughts

The Bulova 11BL, along with its C, D, and CD variants, delivers exactly what you’d want from a mid-century manual movement—clean engineering, dependable performance, and timeless styling. Whether you’re restoring a family heirloom or adding a classy vintage piece to your rotation, the 11BL series remains a quiet but enduring example of Bulova’s mechanical legacy.