Bulova 1956 Minute Man

Submitted by KHatfull on January 24, 2022 - 11:13pm
B
Manufacture Year
1956
Movement Model
11AC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
B162544
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
25.0mm x 21.7mm CMT358-13
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Proposing this to be a 1956 Minute Man "B" based on other watches in the DB (https://mybulova.com/watches/1957-minute-man-11063).  Picked up on the auction site for the paltry sum of $19.43 shipped, amazing.  Running about +120sec/d.  Case and dial are in REALLY nice shape, the glass crystal, eh, not so much.  I might try a polish with cerium oxide before replacing what looks to be the original crystal just for fun.  The G-S catalog 60 lists the Minute Man B crystal as the CMT358-13 at the exact dimensions I get with my caliper.  L6 on case back, L6 on movement.  Any votes?

Front
Front without crystal.
Movement.
Back.
KHatfull
Posted January 24, 2022 - 11:16pm

Don't know how I managed to get "Arrow" in for the date code, but it's L6 for sure.  Can a panel member please edit that?

mybulova_admin
Posted January 24, 2022 - 11:38pm

Can't argue with the linebook and Jim's reference watch.

1956 Bulova Minute Man
Bulova Minute Man

I've not used cerium oxide before, but see it's readily available on eBay in both large and small quantities. What's a good mixture for your standard watch crystal and do you need any special cloth when applying?

KHatfull
Posted January 24, 2022 - 11:55pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I honestly don't know about the cerium oxide.  I've seen nekkid_watchmaker on YouTube use it with great success on crystals way worse than this one.  My plan was to get some, than watch a couple of his vids where he used it and go from there.  He used a Dremel and felt wheels IIRC.   I'd *prefer* to keep the glass crystal if possible but or sure could use a GS acrylic crystal if all else fails.  I'm quite comfortable polishing acrylic crystals and have done some minor scratch removal from mineral glass crystals with diamong paste. If I do give it a go I'll report back here.

Kathy L.
Posted January 25, 2022 - 10:36am

This will look amazing after you polish or replace the crystal.  Drop a photo in the comments when you get it all done, would love to see it.

1956 Bulova Minute Man "B"

Geoff Baker
Posted January 25, 2022 - 8:23pm

1956 Bulova Minuteman B