Here is a very interesting one I have never encountered. Yellow gold plated front loader that I received on the original tattered lizard band, which I replaced with an identical one as seen.
I scoured the database, ads and line books and found one reference to this watch in the 1962 Line Book BAWDO_148. It's the only reference to this case style that I find from 1960 - 1964 in ads or line books. It is described as waterproof with a stainless back, which I suspect is a misprint. Watch is all yellow plate and a front loader. It seems highly unlikely it would have had a removable stainless back or two watches in the same case would be produced the same year as waterproof, one a front loader and the second a back loader. Silver linen dial with gold indices, luminous dots at indices and hands. Quite surprisingly, everything still glows.
I hesitate to ever call a Bulova "rare", as they were mass produced; but have to believe this one classifies as very uncommon and is likely a one year wonder - 1962
1962 Bulova 23 "PW" A first for the data base.
.jpg)
In reply to I will grant that this one… by Geoff Baker
I have also seen the crossed-out hand-written corrections within the linebooks.
Here is an ad from 1964 for a similar model 23 PP, ref# 03349-Y, that does not includes any reference to a stainless back. I've not found this variant in the linebooks, but it is listed in the '64 pricelist.
Slight price increase, possibly for the band (vs strap on PW/QW). Different hands.
Also, the ref# 03349 was used for a similar Regatta 23, same case, different dial, no SS mention
I can not find any other support for the Bulova 23 'PW' to help with the stainless back question, but the same cases used in other variants do not have SS back.
I would be okay with calling this one Bulova 23 'PW'
In reply to I have also seen the crossed… by Andersok
Well done, Ken! Excellent follow-up research. I missed the '64 Regatta in the line books. By number 03349Y, it appears the ad you reference also matches the Regatta series from the Linebook, or represents a name cross-over point, as it's also referred to as 23-PP in the ad. I wonder if the 23 "PW" (03347Y) became the post-1962 Regatta with changes appearing to be face and band.
Based on models in the Db and ads, it appears the 23 series was pretty much gone after 1959/60, with remaining models (like this one) being renamed and absorbed under other names. This one is the latest I have encountered with documentation as a 23.
In reply to Well done, Jim! Excellent… by neetstuf-4-u
The 23 series looks to have been around until 1964, per linebooks, pricelists, ads.
Yes, that ref# was used for both Bulova 23 and Regatta 23, both also in the '64 pricelist, both with the same case, different dial.
All of these: 03347 - PW, 03349 - PP and Regatta J, were in the '64 pricelist at the same time.
In reply to Seems to me like a 1962… by JimDon5822
I considered that, but after quite a bit of time looking at it with a 20X loupe, I don't think that there are any seams in the case. No removable back or bezel ring. A couple areas on edges that appear at first glance to be seams look more like edge wear to plating under magnification. There is minor evidence of previous misguided attempts to pry in those areas. It appears to me that this is a split stem arrangement that can only be dis-assembled using a crystal lift.
I too have seen corrections in the Line Books. By "misstating case details" I was suggesting that a one piece case would most likely not be described as a two piece case, that is a RGP case with a separate stainless steel back. There is no question that the watch presented is a one piece case. I note that the hands are also a match to the Regatta, to the 23
I'm leaning toward 1962 Bulova Regatta.
Neetstuf, I thought you might like to see that there is at least one example like the watch you've displayed. This one, F828762, was recently gifted to my Son from his Grandfather (my Dad). The watch was a retirement award to my Grandfather. I'm definitely not an expert, but, to me, I would say the back is definitely integral with the case, so, it is a front loader. I signed up to this site for this post. Hope you see it.