Bulova 1961 Beau Brummell

Submitted by Darren on June 2, 2022 - 1:41am
C
Manufacture Year
1961
Movement Model
10BZC
Movement Date Code
M1
Movement Jewels
23
Case Serial No.
M1
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
32.6
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Looks to be a Bulova Beau Brummell from 1961

Face
Inner
Size
neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 2, 2022 - 6:48am

Welcome to mybulova and thanks for sharing. I'm a big fan of Beau Brummells. According to the 1964 Linebook and period ads, your watch should be a 

Beau Brummell "C". like this one. and this one

I find no documentation per ads or Bulova Linebooks that this one was produced in 1961, the earliest seems to be 1964 per ads and by case date of previous submissions. Your photo of the case back distorted badly, but it appears there is significant wear between the lugs where the serial number and date code should be, and you are dating watch by the movement? Is this the case?

I will also note that the movement appears to be the correct model for the watch (10BZC) based on previous submissions, but  marked 23 instead of 21 jewels as per ads from 1964. What does this mean? I don't know, just an observation.

 

Darren
Posted June 2, 2022 - 7:10am

Hi Neet

Good to be here and I love the Beau Brummell releases as well, they are a fantastic looking watch!

Yes the back looks to be well worn down and may prove to be in need of replacement. It has not arrived yet for me to inspect and have checked over, as I have only just purchased it.

If it needs replacing is there a reliable source you can recommend and does changing it out affect the overall watch aesthetic?

You are correct in that my guesstimate on the date is from the movement, but as I know very very little about these watches I welcome your input and experience.

From the little research I have done it seems as though there are a range of 17 23 21 and 30 Jewel varieties in this watch, not all of which I have seen ads for.

Look forward to any more insights and when it arrives I will update a few more pictures.

Warm regards

Darren

neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 2, 2022 - 7:36am

The case on these is a single piece front loader (no removable back) and the movement is accessed by removing the bezel ring and crystal. If it isn't worn completely through , best to leave it as-is. The only real repair options would be a complete case replacement from a donor watch or have a jeweler silver solder it.

Yes, Beaus were produced with a variety of jewel counts as you stated, but it was model/variant specific. Yours could be a factory substitution, restoration movement replacement, movement repair using a 23 bridge plate on a 21, or an unknown variant. It's really difficult to say. At this point, any explanation I could offer is pure speculation.

Darren
Posted June 2, 2022 - 8:23am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Right - thanks for that and I guess I will see in a few days time when it arrives.

I'll post more pics when that happens.

Kathy L.
Posted June 2, 2022 - 9:46am

Great information Bob. Beau Brummell with pending date until watch arrives.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 4, 2022 - 9:17pm

Agree with Beau Brummell "C"

1961 Bulova Beau Brummell watch

Darren
Posted June 4, 2022 - 9:21pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Cool ad! Thanks for that and yes that looks to be the model on the face of it at present.

 

Now where do I find a band like that!?

Andersok
Posted June 5, 2022 - 4:23pm

Beau Brummell "C"

JimDon5822
Posted June 5, 2022 - 8:34pm

1961 Bulova Brummell "C" looks to be a good match.

Geoff Baker
Posted June 5, 2022 - 9:54pm

Yes - that's a 1961 Bulova Beau Brummell C, very nice