9 replies to this topic

[Chriseek]

I was Jonesing for another Bulova when my peepers rested about this beauty. I had to have her. Two days of cold sweats and she was mine.
And although it's an often used accolade, this 1960 masterpiece of taste and restraint DOES look even better on the wrist than it does in pictures. I would be happy to go into a Woolworths 55 years ago and buy it as new.
So which model is it guys and gals ? The closest I think I've come is The International, but it doesn't say 23 jewels on the dial. And is the band original ? It's a very interesting split style going from fancy and fixed to prosaic expansion. The flexible part is marked JB Champion.
Any thoughts anyone ? What time is it ? Oh golly, got to run. It's buy another Bulova time.

[Wcqq]

Nice! But in 1960 a Bulova was the last thing you would see at Woolworths! Back then they were sitting next to Rolex, Omega, Hamiltons etc in jewelry stores. It was when Timex started putting watches in the local drug stores for $9.99 that they became the best selling watch in the US. Jewelers hated selling them because the margin was only about 50% instead of the usual 3-400%. I would bet that is not the original band but that style is one that was popular back then. My Dad had watches from that era that had them. I think your watch would look really nice on a plain black leather strap.....the black for the contrast but no stitching showing to fit the minimalist look of the watch. Very very nice one! This the type of strap I mean except in black. It fits the look of one of my Accutrons just fine. (sorry you cant see it better in the pic.

[Julie]

Is this a 'pop-out' where the whole case can be pushed with the thumbs out of the bezel? It certainly looks like it to me. Possibly a Sea Clipper variant, and the band may be original. Bulova were certainly putting this exact band on some of their men's watches at this time. Cheers, Bob. Edit-here is a similar 'pop-out' cased watch I own, mine is a manual wind and extremely thin.

[WAshOn]

Thank you gentlemen. Bobbee, there is no back plate to the watch. The whole body is attached to the lugs. It looks like you remove a retaining ring around the crystal and take the movement out from the front. You couldn't push it out of the back because there isn't one. I'll look up Sea Clipper. So the band may be the original. That's great. I thought it might be. With the watch in such unused condition there would be no reason to change the band. I already love it and am carefully wearing it. It has drifted only three seconds in 48 hours. Isn't that pretty impressive for a mechanical watch ?

[watchlod]

very nice looking boluva. is the crown the original?

[MHT01]

Regarding the timekeeping-not unusual for a Bulova. This brand at this time were at the height of their quality in my opinion, massive lines of watches with brilliant finish and attenion to detail to even the cheapest Bulova. So your watch has a 'through the front' case access, still thinking Sea Clipper.

[wn-pans]

Don't know Dabaeker. Should it have 'Bulova' or a 'B' on it ? It doesn't.

[todd]

Nice to know about the accurate timekeeping. I'm very partial to the style of 1945 - 1965 Bulovas, but I'm sure I'll get some 20's and 30's models. Can't find a Sea Clipper that looks like this. The crown is partially recessed on this model. It stands proud on all pictures of 1960 - 1963 Sea Clippers that I can find. Also don't all Sea Clippers show numbers. This has pointy markers. And the lugs are longer on this. I'll keep looking.

[Heber]

I have a similar band on a Bulova with a rather unique case design that precludes any other band having come with it:

[Johnson]

Any writing on the inside of the strap? Style wise, it looks like a JB Champion or a Kreisler from that time period.