Bulova 1956 Bulova 23

Submitted by Andersok on February 9, 2014 - 6:59pm
G
Manufacture Year
1956
Movement Model
10BPAC
Movement Jewels
23
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
A960219
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bulova 23 "G" model; case and movement are dated L6; 10BPAC movement; white sunburst dial with golden markers and hands; yellow gold case in very nice shape; original band replaced with leather.

1955 Ad to support

-watch has a new owner 5/2014

Bulova 23 "G"
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
JP
Posted February 9, 2014 - 7:05pm

23 G

OldTicker
Posted February 9, 2014 - 8:05pm

I agree with the 23 G, case looks like a match to the ad, the dial on these will change over the years, and yours does not have the 6 adjustments stuff below the self-winding, but the thick, long lug case is a match and that is one of the biggest factors.

Andersok
Posted February 10, 2014 - 8:41am

In reply to by OldTicker

I think that I have read somewhere here that when the dial shows "six adjustments" the rotor will not - it will be the more open type and when it does not show on the dial it is then displayed on the rotor, which is the layout on this watch; Is there any truth to that?

William Smith
Posted February 10, 2014 - 12:24am

Hi Andersok.  Private message me your outside emiail please.
Reference Shawkey's 2000 Bulova 23's NAWCC article (and the Bulova price lists he provided to our site). There are over 100 variants of Bulova 23 between inception in 1954 to 1964 (lastest date for price lists).   There were  likely more variants  post 1964.  Your watch sure looks like the "G",  but it may very well look like one of the other 23's variants by 1956,  and the dial script may indeed come into play on variant (or the strap/mount, or some other minor factor).  The "G" was in the price lists by spring 1955 (below).  This is only a subset of the "55 list".

 

However by 1958 there were many more variants.  

It''s tooooo much research for me to make a call of "G" tonight.  The case does look like a match, but there's sooo many other variables for these early 23's.    By 1956, it could be the "GW".  

Still looking through ads and articles.

 

Andersok
Posted February 10, 2014 - 7:17am

In reply to by William Smith

Was the "G" still listed on the 1958 price list; looks like the 31313 reference became the "GW", but there is also a 1958 ad for the "G"? The first GW ad that I can find is from 1962.

William Smith
Posted February 10, 2014 - 11:32pm

In reply to by Andersok

Good catch on the 31313 unique number changing from G to GW.  I missed that.  This happened fairly often in this time frame.  First year or so a "G" and then same watch changeing to a different variant in subsequent years ("GW").   I'll double check and see if "G" is still in 1958 list.

I do see there's that GW in a 1962 ad, but it was definitely available by fall 1958, as per price lists.

EDIT:  No "G" in the Fall 1958 price lists.  Good observation Ken!!  Wondering when the "G" became the "GW"?  I'm guessing it's the "same watch" and the differnece is based on production year.

yellowwooley
Posted February 13, 2014 - 8:50am

In reply to by William Smith

I have the exact same watch with original box. It has a side sticker which says '31313 -23 GW.

OldTicker
Posted February 13, 2014 - 9:07am

In reply to by yellowwooley

Please add it to our database, every little bit of info that we can get on these helps a bunch!

mybulova_admin
Posted February 10, 2014 - 4:00am

I'm certainly comfortable with giving this one a confirmed Bulova 23 "G". If we find any further evidence defining the G subset we can update it then.

Geoff Baker
Posted February 10, 2014 - 6:05am

I agree, 23 G. Great looking watch Ken!