Bulova 1955 Royal Lancer

Submitted by familytradition on June 22, 2022 - 9:09pm
Manufacture Year
1955
Movement Model
10CSC
Movement Date Code
L5
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
A338873
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I believe this is a 1955 Bulova Royal Lancer. It was my great-grandfather's watch that has now been passed to me. It's in fairly good condition with very little wear. The case is yellow gold and features distinctive decorative lugs with a triple 'wave' pattern. Lug width is 17.75 mm. Case diameter is 31.15 mm. The face is creamy off-white and simply says: BULOVA Selfwinding SWISS. It only features even digits which are yellow gold outlined in black. The movement is a sweeping second hand, but no other complications. The crown is stamped "BULOVA". Exterior of the caseback reads: Bulova. Stainless Steel Back. Anti-Magnetic. Shock Resistant. Self-Winding. Water Tite. Inside of the caseback reads Bulova. 10K Rolled Gold Plate Bezel. Stainless back. New York. The band is a yellow gold expansion band which is stamped "1/20 10K GF TOP. SS BOTTOM 55-" The links are all marked "Bretton." The watch hasn't been serviced in a few decades, if ever. It currently runs inconsistently (will go for a few minutes and stop), even when being worn. I suspect its original lubrication is long gone. I'd like to get it serviced back into working order.  

Some questions for the forum: Any insight on the band? It looks just like the band in the '55-'57 line book, but it's marked "Bretton". Is that a brand that Bulova worked with? Or the model of a Bulova-brand band? Any tips on where to get it serviced? I live in the Washington, DC area, but for the right price and turnaround time, I'm open to shipping it out.  What's a good rate for service?  I contacted the Bulova Service Center (Veterans Watchmaking Initiative) and they indicated that they are backed up and wouldn't even be able to take a look at it for six months.  Their 'Complete Service' was quoted at $503.  My local watchmaker said it would take him 3-5 months and would be $650 and up (depending on what was needed).

1955 Bulova Royal Lancer vintage automatic watch, detail showing face
1955 Bulova Royal Lancer vintage automatic watch showing detail of crown and face
1955 Bulova Royal Lancer yellow gold vintage automatic watch with band
1955 Bulova Royal Lancer vintage automatic watch stainless steel watch case back
1955 Bulova Royal Lancer vintage automatic watch movement 10CSC
Bulova 1955-1957 Line Book showing Royal Lancer Model 1051
JimDon5822
Posted June 22, 2022 - 9:46pm

Thank you for sharing your grandfather's watch.  It is indeed a Bulova Royal Lancer.   A service is definitely necessary to make sure you do not damage the watch.  Some of the other panel members may be able to recommend someone.  I used one of the online services listed on ebay and paid $125 and the watch was serviced well.  As for the bracelet I am not a big fan of stretch bracelets.  I would just get a nice leather strap and enjoy the watch.

familytradition
Posted July 12, 2022 - 12:22am

In reply to by JimDon5822

Thanks, JimDon. Any advice on how to purchase and fit a leather band for 17.75mm lugs? 18mm bands are readily available and I could ever-so-slightly trim one down to fit...or I could find a 17mm wide band (less common-limits my choices) and there would be a .75mm gap.  Let me know what you think.

Geoff Baker
Posted July 12, 2022 - 9:47pm

In reply to by familytradition

Did you ever find someone to service your watch? Email me at [email protected] and I'll give you a name. If you purchase an 18mm strap the watchmaker can install it for you - geoff

Andersok
Posted June 23, 2022 - 6:42am

Looks well taken care of. The Bretton band is commonly seen on Bulova models as original equipment.

Royal Lancer

neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 23, 2022 - 7:22am

Nice watch, thanks for sharing. I'm a big fan of heirloom watches.

1955 Royal Lancer

like this one

Geoff Baker
Posted June 23, 2022 - 9:20pm

1955 Bulova Royal Lancer is a good match