Here is an unusual one; another of my "what the heck is that?" purchases. I bought it with no band, but the watch appears unworn and unpolished. The sides of the bezel have machining vertical lines and all edges are sharp, indicating it has never been mechanically buffed. Underside and top are like a mirror. It is a single piece case front loader with a 6 digit s/n..
Pizza dial has silver indices, case is stainless steel.
I've spent literally hours trying to figure this one out, none of my "possible matches" are represented in the database. My research is below.
In Linebooks 147 and 148 for 1961 and 1962, I find the following watch. Dial is the same, back not called out. The difference is it appears this watch doesn't have ribbing on the bezel ring. I can't decide if the lugs are slightly different or it's shadowing.
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In 1963 linebook 151, "UAW (and VAW) have disappeared and this model is listed. Same band with obvious ribbing on bezel ring.
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Included in the description is "Screw back".
In Linebook 156 for 1964 this watch (UUU and VVV) is gone, and replaced by what appears to be the identical watch on a different band with a name change To Regatta 23 "O" . Again listing calls out screw back.
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Based on subject watch date, I suspect this is an early or only version of the Bulova 23 "UUU", and the linebook call out of screw back is incorrect (referencing the coming change to Regatta); with production using the case from the previous "UAW". It would make sense that the name change to Regatta would accompany the case change from solid to screw back. Perhaps this model "UUU" was a transition model using up stock from "UAW" in preparation for the transition to Regatta.
It looks like this was a one year model as a "23".
Whatever it is, it's a first for the database.
My thoughts....I await everyone else's.
You and I were working on the same compilation. Here is what I found:
The only match in 1962 would be the Bulova 23 "UAW"
There was a one-year break in 63 where these were the UUU/VVV, but then in 64 went back to the UAW/VAW (at least according to 1964 linebook 158), and had an identical Regatta model that year with a different band.
For reference, here is the grey dial "VAW" for 1962
Note: it is odd that these called for a screw back, unless they really had a different type case. The UAW/VAW was a solid case top-loading and does not mention screw back.
In reply to You and I were working on… by Andersok
How does that saying go? Great minds think alike, or is it great minds drink alike? :o)
Based on date, I could go for UAW, but I downloaded and enlarged / manipulated the linebook photos from 1961 and 1962 and it looks to me like there is no ribbing on the bezel ring between the blocks at number indices. My brain is starting to hurt.
In reply to What's that saying? Great… by neetstuf-4-u
Now that you point that out, I too have a hard time seeing the ribbing in any of the photos; is it there or is it a glare. Also, when looking closer at the inside of the lugs on the UAW/VAW photos there is a slight curvature that is a little different from the presented watches, similar to the Astrojet model. The lugs on the UUU/VVV and Regatta match better - but then there is a callout for screwback which is not a match.
Here is a 1961 ad for VAW that shows the ribbing, but I still see the inside lug curvature.
Both UAW and UUU are similar but not an exact match. Differences: UAW lug curvature and UUU screwback.
In reply to If I base my ID on the lugs… by Geoff Baker