Here we have a little ladies watch, with quite a span between case and movt. The case is stamped L3, while the movt is stamped M3. Clearly the movt has been replaced.
I haven't had a chance to look at adverts, but it resembles a Concerto.
I am wondering if the back is a replacement. The case and dial both look like the Concerto "EE" or the Sunburst "H". I am finding ads for those between 1963 and 1966. The Sunburst was sungold which the ad says is golden colors of a rainbow when moved in different light. If it doesn't have these glints of color I would say it is the Concerto. I can't find any ads that say if the "EE" is for yellow or white.
Now that is something we don't automatically consider as apossibility- the case back does carry the date stamp, and it is easily replaced. We often think of the movt having been replaced.
As to how and why this would happen- increasingly, I come across boxes and buckets of small watches at flea markets and the like, and often the backs have been removed to check what is inside, and not replaced. The backs are in the bucket, along with others. Although this watch has a distinctive shape, the back is really quite ordinary and probably interchanges with other models.
I'm not sure about this rainbow effect- There is fine engraving on the side of the watch, but might be too worn to sparkle the way it originally did.
Kathy - I think you're on to something. We recently ID'd a Concerto EE. The case sides on that watch appear smooth whereas this example matches the advert better for Concerto EE. I agree that the back is a red herring, there's no way this could be a 1953 design. Having said that I can't imagine this is a 1973 (movement date code) watch either so that's TWO red herrings.....
Non-Conforming?
In reply to Kathy - I think you're on to by Geoff Baker
In reply to Kathy - I think you're on to by Geoff Baker
The dial on the one that was recently ID'd is incorrect with the ads for Concerto EE.
https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1961-concerto-10428
Rev. Rob's watch dial: hours markers are golden oval(ish), no numbers, and has a triangle design at bottom of dial.
brandall54's watch dial: has silver hour markers 12,2,4,6,8 and 10 with arrow hour markers at 1, 3,5,7,9 and 11. The "6" hour marker is at the bottom of the dial without the triangle design as the one above. The case finish isn't the same as Rev. Rob's watch.
The Sunburst line has a multi-colored case, like this one; does this case have that effect?