This is my late father's Bulova. The back indicates it was made in 1959 (L9), it has 30 jewels, 14k yellow gold, and 20 diamonds in 12 positions on the face. It looks similar to a 1960 Beau Brummel, but I have never seen anything exactly like it online. Can you help me identify?
I would say that it comes from the Beau Brummell line as well. I found one ad showing a similar dial, from 1960; however the position of the single diamonds on your watch are turned in comparison to the ad's more horizontal/vertical positions. The lugs in the ad are different as well; and there is something about the lugs on your watch that look just a bit un-natural to me - do they appear to have been bent in any way. Another thing I notice is that it seems odd to have luminous hands with this non-luminous dial, not sure if they would be original. Are you able to obtain a datecode from the movement?
Hello Steve, welcome to myBulova. I think you are most fortunate to have your fathers watch. I'm a big fan of heirloom watches. I have several from own father (but my brother got the one I really wanted).
I would say your watch is the Beau Brummel model pictured in the advert linked above. To Ken's point the lugs don't appear exactly the same but I really think it's the same model shown. Beau Brummel was generally the top of the Bulova line, it always contained the best movement available and was usually adorned with a wonderful diamond dial.
As in the case of all old watches, service it regularly if you plan to wear it.
1959 Beau Brummel.
I have a theory on this one. I am quite certain this is a variant of the 1959 Bulova Beau Brummell EEEW (but in yellow gold) with modified lugs that have been bent downwards. If you look at the back photo you can see the lugs pointing downward. Below is the linebook listing from 1961 showing the same watch in white. If you bend the lug tips downward the watch matches. I am not certain if the yellow gold has a separate variant as non seem to line up with the known variants in the ***W range.
I suspect the lugs of the subject watch and linebook actually match and are indeed facing downwards at a slight angle.
The yellow gold variant ID is out there somewhere...maybe in a price guide.
If the price guides are anything to go by the "Y" versions (yellow gold) version are often the next letter of the ***W series. There are a number of examples of this.
So I'm going to nominate 1959 Bulova Beau Brummell "FFFW", despite it not being listed below.
In reply to I suspect the lugs of the… by mybulova_admin
In reply to I suspect the lugs of the… by mybulova_admin