Bulova 1973 Model

Submitted by joebarkson on May 30, 2015 - 9:11am
11017-1W
Manufacture Year
1973
Movement Model
11AOACB
Movement Jewels
23
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
T0049272
Case shape
Oval
Case color
White
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Looks like a 1973 President to me. I'm hoping someone will help with the specific model. Thanks to everyone. UPDATE: When I added this watch a couple of weeks ago I was hoping to get verification from the panel that it was a 1973 President, but instead it fell into the dreaded "Unknown" category. During discussion Geoff Baker noted that the same case was used for the Presidents and Beau Brummells of the period. I recently acquired one of the Beau Brummells and I was surprised to see that it is considerably smaller than the President cases I own. I have added a couple of photos to demonstrate the differences between the cases. There are many differences between them. The President cases measure 38.9mm across, and 40.5mm from lug to lug, while the Beau Brummell is only 31.7mm x 34.6mm. The casebacks on the Presidents are screw backs, the back on the Beau Brummell is a snap back. Finally, the Beau Brummell has a recessed crown, the Presidents do not. (Although this has nothing to dol with the cases, for those who keep track of these things, the President movements are all 11AOACB, and the Beau Brummell is 8EA.) Stephen has volunteered to put this back in the Red Zone, so what is the verdict? Can I call this a "1973 President, unknown variant"? Thanks to all.

joebarkson 1973 Bulova 53015
1973 Bulova watch
1973 Bulova watch
1973 Bulova watch
1973 Bulova watch
Geoff Baker
Posted May 31, 2015 - 5:59am

Hi Joe, this is a very nice watch. I'm a big fan of this case style and love the dial. Bulova definitely used this case for all the early to mid seventies President models but also used it for the Beau Brummel watches. Beau Brummels were the 'fancy' dial Bulovas, and always were diamond decorated. While we don't have an advert showing this exact dial configuration I would be inclined to tag this one as a Beau Brummel. My vote would be tentative ( two check marks instead of three) only because we don't have an advert. It sure is a great looking watch!

joebarkson
Posted May 31, 2015 - 10:52am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Hi Geoff,

Beau Brummel occurred to me, too, but I don't find any Beau Brummels on this site (the best on the web, by the way) beyond 1968. I'll take your word that they were produced in 1973 if that is the "diagnosis" for this watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 3, 2015 - 5:22am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Based on the variants 'BA' and 'BB' which suggests a number of variants I'd be good with IDing this as a 1973 Bulova Beau Brummel, variant unknown.

William Smith
Posted May 31, 2015 - 2:11pm

Nice watch.  Could you tell us what is stamped on the outside and insice case back?  A couple pictures would be best.  This almost always allows for a more solid ID.  
Does the dial say "Bulova 23" and then "automatic" near the 3 o'clock position?
Please and thanks.

joebarkson
Posted May 31, 2015 - 2:47pm

In reply to by William Smith

I haven't received the watch yet, and the pictures on eBay don't include one of the inside caseback. The outside caseback says: Bulova, N3, T0049272, Stainless Steel Case. Yes, the dial says "Bulova 23" and "Automatic" in the 3 o'clock position. The movement appears to be stamped N2. See eBay item number 231560840805 and you'll know as much as I do. :-) Thanks.

William Smith
Posted May 31, 2015 - 3:20pm

aha yes, I see it now.  Thanks  Here it is.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 1, 2015 - 9:32am

Very unique, first time we have seen this model. Thinking President also....but need to confirm.

William Smith
Posted June 2, 2015 - 2:02pm

By Spring 1964, there are 84 Beau variantsin that price list.  Who knows how many of those were still available by  1973, or how many new variants were offered by then.  The variants in Spring 1964 go out to three letters.  There are only two variants listed w/ internal model numbers starting with the number 8 (like in Geoff's 1972 ad above).  

Geoff's ad states 17 jewels.  We have other ads showing Beau's from the late 1960's and early 1970's with 17, 23 and 30 jewels.

This watch could be a Beau or President, but without more info I'm at Unknown.  I was trying to figure out which Beau's had diamond dials, and look at the jewel count for those examples....but gave up.