Bulova 1959 Beau Brummell

Submitted by Jonesy on November 26, 2012 - 8:18pm
Q
Manufacture Year
1959
Movement Jewels
23
Case Serial No.
D299750
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

case 14kt gold  shock resistant  self winding  water proof  anti magnetic  Band 10k  G.F. TOP CAPS 62  stainless steel bottom CAPS SPEIDEL  PAT.  2.689.450  This was my father's. He purchased it for $600 at Kay Jewelers in the early 1960's. It keeps perfect time. Now its mine after all these years. Confirmed it was $600 in 1962.  All help identifing it is greatly appreciated.

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
OldTicker
Posted November 26, 2012 - 8:47pm

This would be a Beau Brummell model, 12 diamond dial on 14K, I think we have a ad with the vairiant letters on site someplace.

Very nice watch!

William Smith
Posted November 26, 2012 - 8:52pm

Beau Brummell from me too!  Nice seeing the solid gold version.  Fantastic Family Heirloom. 
 
EDIT: I can't find an ad for the 12 diamond solid gold BB, but it could be around.  I see there are 39 Beau's listed in the Fall 1958 model price list, and the count grew to 69 Beau's listed in the Fall 1961 price lists (out to four letter variants).  The highest price listed for any BB in these lists is one variant at $400, one at $295, and several listed at $250.  (snippet from the Fall 1961 list below)

Jonesy- are you sure about the $600 price from Kay Jewelers in 1960? 
 

Jonesy
Posted November 30, 2012 - 7:17pm

My mother is sure he spent the $600 because there was a big fight about it. disagree on is was a . They had just gotten married and it was several months salary at the time. That was 1962.

 

William Smith
Posted November 27, 2012 - 5:40pm

Good ad find.  I missed that one :( 
Noting the BB ZZW was available in white gold.  Not seeing a yellow gold version with the ZZW variant designation...but thats not proof one doesn't exist....but points in that direction. Fall 1961 model list snippet below, from the "Men's Diamond" section.

JP
Posted November 27, 2012 - 12:28pm

BB from me

Jonesy
Posted November 27, 2012 - 6:56pm

The back and front case are all yellow gold. It's the lighing making it look two tone.

 

Geoff Baker
Posted November 28, 2012 - 7:19am

I'm not quite ready to call this a Beau but why couldn't it be a '23'?.

DarHin
Posted November 28, 2012 - 11:21am

There's more evidence, at the moment, for "23" rather than BB.

2 ticks "23".

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted November 28, 2012 - 12:52pm

Yes,

Will produced an ad for a Diamond Dial "23", somewhere.

Will?