Bulova 1965 Accurist

Submitted by JimmyDivine on
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
10CL
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
H465999
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I recently purchased this 1965 Bulova Accurist M5 10cl. 10ktRldGld and matching buckle with original leather strap. The dial and glass are asymmetrically placed yet the hands in a centered position. Thus because of this off-centering this lead room in design for each of the individual indices to be different from each other. Even though only the 3, 9, 12 are marked, all of the other indices are very discernible as well because no 2 indices are alike on this dial. For example the indices in the top left are shorter and do not use the same placement on the dial to attain the same angle as the opposite side which use much longer indices and a different placement for lining up. Every single indices is recognizable from the other, I find this truly artistic and it definitely strikes a place in my heart. The outer bezel which is only on 2 sides of the watch is finely engraved with x etching. The dial pattern is linen and reminds me of mid-century America a lot. The crown is signed. It take about 30 winds of the crown to fully wind the watch and it has a power reserve of about 38 hrs +/-2. The 10kt gold filling is hardly scratched and is very shiny in excellent condition. The leather strap has the original bulova buckle, feels old and dry has a great overall patina. The movement itself has great sound albeit a bit loud but that still suits my taste. The accuracy has been pretty good it runs better on my wrist then  not. Only about +|-5 second for a whole day of active wear. When I take it off however it like to run +/-15 seconds through the night. I do know how to work with the different positions regulation and have figured out what positions speed and slow it down for tuning purposes but it never loses more than 30 seconds and this can be corrected by placing it in the according position. The watch was just serviced June of 2021 with a full oil bath and has a nice service history for 56 years. Nice quality watch it’s definitely a keeper.

Watch dial
Watch on my small wrist
Not sure what the engraving is for but I like the added aesthetic
Signed buckle
Old original strap patina.
JimDon5822
Posted September 17, 2021 - 12:08am

Thank your for the very thorough description of your watch.  Your are correct that it is a 1965 Accurist.  Below is the original line book listing from 1966 Linebook BAWD0162-2.  We do not have any evidence of variants so it is not known if the leather strap you have is original or the metal bracelet in the line book is the original and the strap a replacement.  

1965 Bulova Accurist

AccuristAccurist

JimmyDivine
Posted September 17, 2021 - 12:37am

In reply to by JimDon5822

The strap is definitely very old though is it possible that variants existed?  

JimmyDivine
Posted September 17, 2021 - 10:28pm

In reply to by JimDon5822

I notice the movement got listed as 10ct. It’s not. It’s a 10cl. 

mybulova_admin
Posted September 17, 2021 - 1:41am

I gotta say, I've not really noticed the indicies before, but now that you mention it...wow it does make this watch all that much more cooler. I think it's now on my bucket list.

1965 Bulova Accurist

Andersok
Posted September 17, 2021 - 6:41am

Agree with Accurist.

Really nice design; I wish Bulova made more different models of these in mechanical form.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 17, 2021 - 8:38am

Great watch, a real style icon of the period. Thanks for sharing it.

1965 Accurist

Kathy L.
Posted September 17, 2021 - 8:13pm

Wonderful 60s vibe.

1965 Bulova Accurist

Reverend Rob
Posted September 21, 2021 - 12:47pm

10CL corrected. Very nice piece.