Bulova 1958 Excellency

Submitted by Geoff Baker on June 29, 2012 - 4:02pm
Manufacture Year
1958
Movement Model
11AP
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Watch Description

This is not my watch and these are not my photos. These photos were graciously provided by ebay seller ustrade2000. He recently sold this beauty ( at a great price I might add) and granted me permission to post his photos here.  Solid 14K Gold Case in wonderful condition. Movement appears to be 17 j, and may not be original to watch as the Excellencies were, by this time 23 j.

Added 6/29/2012

1958 Bulova Excellency 14K Solid Gold Geoffrey Baker
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
bobbee
Posted June 29, 2012 - 4:13pm

Now THAT is a really nice watch! But there are people who say that diamond dials mean they are probably Beau Brummells, and anyone can write "Excellency" on them!  ;^)

mybulova_admin
Posted July 1, 2012 - 8:33am

In reply to by bobbee

There's a Bulova 23 that also has a diamond dial, so I think that the use of them wasn't limited to the Beau Brummell series.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted June 30, 2012 - 3:55pm

True dat Bob,

As Geoff stated the late 1950's 'HIS EXCELLENCY's were 23 Jeweled at this time, their Dials printed with the '23 Jewel' insignia.

The 'EXCELLENCY' insignia showing Dates to the late 1940's - according to the ads.

Given this, is the 1959 17 Jewel Movement incorrect and the Watch dates to the late 1940's as the Caseback serial number would suggest? or is it correct and the Dial a fantasy.

 

* There is/was an ad for this Case... at one time.

bobbee
Posted June 30, 2012 - 6:23pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

Where do these ads go to Mark? There seem to be quite a few that have gone astray, after seeing it remarked upon in different posts in the past. Shame really, would have liked to see the ad for this beautiful watch, even though it seems to be a frankie! Love that case design.

William Smith
Posted June 30, 2012 - 4:57pm

I think the case back signature is that of the Jonell Watch Case Co- it looks like the fancy J shape signature with an arrow where the J comes back on itself. If I remember correctly, Bulova watches began showing up in these cases near the beginning of the 1960's through mid to late1970's.  Most of the ones I've seen in the Jonell cases have been solid gold, with a few in gold plate/fill.  And just based on often poor memory, those which were gold plate/fill all housed an Accutron of some type.  I also don't think, based on the case being Jonell, the first digit of case serial number to manufacture date holds.  I'll look through our DB for Jonell case and see if my memory serves me well.  This is a beatiful watch, and I'm glad we have an example in our database....even if it had a movement swap or some other customizations...

DarHin
Posted June 30, 2012 - 6:58pm

Great looking watch. The only oddity that catches my eye is how the seconds track intersects the line where the 2 different dial colors meet. Wierd angle that doesn't quite look right.

OldTicker
Posted June 30, 2012 - 8:13pm

In reply to by DarHin

I think that might be a Bullseye crystal giving that effect.

With out more info...1 Star for now...but it is a neat looking watch!

William Smith
Posted July 1, 2012 - 2:34pm

Yes OT I agree.  It's a great watch, but an Excellency w/ a 17 jewel movement. 

JimDon5822
Posted October 3, 2021 - 10:36pm

I have been researching this one and believe this should be reclassified based on the 1958-1959 Linebook BAWD 0136 page 126.  The case appear to be from a 1958 Bulova Gold Clad with a replaced or modified dial.

Gold CladGold Clad