Bulova 1957 -Unknown

Submitted by OldTicker on January 15, 2012 - 9:49pm
Manufacture Year
1957
Movement Model
8AC
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
B960542
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Crystal details
GS CMX326-35 21.6 x 17.6mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

1957 Bulova Unknown, 17J 8AC movement with a very unusual date code...L2 factory stamped and L7 hand stamped, so I don't know what was going on there. It has a 10K RGP bezel and caseback that is stamped L7. The case measures 21.3mm wide and 36.9mm lug to lug. The Black Diamond Dial (Diamonds tested real) has raised Gold markers and Gold Dauphine hands, a new GS crystal has been installed and it has been fitted with a nice Gold & Black expansion band. I have seen this model pictured here, but its not in the database under unknown or known models, so its in the forms someplace. Very nice looking and running watch, might have to wear it a few times this year...

1957 Bulova Unknown 17J 8AC
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
NOVA
Posted January 15, 2012 - 9:51pm

Now that's a looker!

OldTicker
Posted January 15, 2012 - 11:07pm

Yes it is, I was kind of surprised that there isn't another in the database...and not much in the way of 55-58 ad's yet, must have been lean years for Bulova advertising...

Geoff Baker
Posted January 16, 2012 - 5:22am

Very nice Greg, kind of a 'Marlboro' look about it. The band really does do it justice. Send it my way when you get sick of it please?

DarHin
Posted March 29, 2012 - 7:46am

The 1960 GS catalog list's the following that accept the MX326-35:  Director, His Excellency EE, FF, GG, HH, II

1965 has only these:  206GG,  1150D

1957 Watch-Craft has these:  President G-K,  Viscount

Off hand I don't know what to eliminate but will go through the ads.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 29, 2012 - 10:19am

Eliminate the 'EXCELLENCY' as they were 21 Jewels.

The rear of the Dial is painted which indicates a refinish.

IMO

NOVA
Posted March 29, 2012 - 11:51am

However, even it has been refinished, it may have been black originally and just refinished due to wear and damage.

Bob Bruno
Posted March 29, 2012 - 11:37am

Very cool looking watch and band. I can just see some guy wearing it with a tuxedo in 1957. :)

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 29, 2012 - 12:00pm

If the Dial is refinished it raises more questions than it gives answers and hinders an ID.

IMO, it's odd to see Silver mounts for the stones combined with the Gilt numerals showing on the Dial, are they original?

William Smith
Posted March 29, 2012 - 12:22pm

I would guess probably not, but the silver mounts and silver second hand complement each other nicely.

NOVA
Posted March 29, 2012 - 12:32pm

I can't say whether OT's watch is original.  What I can say is that I have two examples of what appears to be the same case, but other aspects of the watches are rather different from his.

Both of mine have 21 Jewels and the dial shown in the pic below (and in the ad below that).  One is dated 1953 and the other 1957.  I don't get quite the same crystal measurments as OT.  I get 21.6mm x 17.5mm, and it should be a flat, not a curved-bottom, crsytal.

The ad below--purportedly from 1959--is not posted in the ad database.  I believe it was posted in your 1950s Clara Barton listing, Fifth?  I'll have to double check that.  Anyway, it's not very useful in its current form because it is too blurry.  This excerpt sure does appear to show this watch--at least this case and dial--from what little I can make out.

P.S.  The full ad is posted in Fifth's 1956 Clara Barton watch listing.