Bulova 1951 Caprice

Submitted by JJHewitt on January 31, 2024 - 2:33pm
A
Manufacture Year
1951
Movement Model
6BC
Movement Date Code
L1
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
701261
Case shape
Oval
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

10k rolled gold plate with a stainless back

Serial 701261 on case back

Unique diagonal-styled expanding band appears to be original

I believe it to be a Dulcie, identified by referencing the 1951 advertisements chronicled here on myBulova.com

Front, on cushion
Uncased movement with dial and caseback
Uncased movement, watchmaker's side, with inside of caseback
Watch band and crown side view
Saved from myBulova.com and cropped/resized to show detail
mybulova_admin
Posted February 1, 2024 - 4:01am

Hmm this is a tricky one, as the advert posted above certainly does look like a match.

1951 linebook shows this watch as a different model, the Bulova Caprice "A".

1951 Bulova Caprice "A"

mybulova_admin
Posted February 1, 2024 - 4:03am

Is it possible that the Dulcie advert is only showing 3 arms to the top and bottom paws?

1955mercury
Posted February 1, 2024 - 5:41am

There's another one on the site that's identified as a 1951 Caprice here:

Bulova 1951 Caprice | myBulova.com

1951 Caprice

There's definitely a difference between the two watches, but it's hard to tell which one matches which ad. The one already listed seems to have lugs that don't match either ad. Both ads seem to have lugs with little ball shapes on the ends where the band attaches. 

JJHewitt
Posted February 1, 2024 - 9:56am

It looks to me like the paws on the Caprice have a sharper bump where it rolls off the case front. My watch has a smoother rolling bump. My watch also seems to have a more defined loop at the other end of the paw for the lug ring.

mybulova_admin
Posted February 1, 2024 - 5:53pm

If you look at the 'paws' on this watch, they look straight, as they form a straight line across the top and bottom of the dial.

Both the subject and linebook watches have a curve to the 'paw'. So maybe we mis-identifed this one.

JJHewitt
Posted February 1, 2024 - 10:05am

Something that's not well defined in these photos is that the crystal is peaked in the center, there's a ridge running from 12 to 6.

I can upload some more photos when I get the watch back from its overhaul next week.

Another thing that I'm sort of fixating on is the bracelet and how well it matches the Dulcie advert. 

I will say, that Caprice A in the advert does look very similar. 

1955mercury
Posted February 1, 2024 - 1:01pm

Sorta looks like it could be the "Miss Universe" from this 1950 ad. Hard to tell and this is the only ad I could find showing it.

Miss Universe

 

1955mercury
Posted February 1, 2024 - 3:15pm

After looking at this ad again, I think the names for the two men's Bulovas are wrong, so the ladies watch name might be wrong also. 

Kathy L.
Posted February 1, 2024 - 8:44pm

I think Caprice looks like a match based on the linebook and these ads from 1952/53.  The other watch that was IDed as Caprice is most likely a different model.

1950 Ad

1950 Ad

1951 Bulova Caprice

1955mercury
Posted February 2, 2024 - 7:09am

Those are real good ads Kathy. They show the defining features better than the line book.