1965 (?) Bulova Watch ~ Appreciate Help In Identifying

Submitted by Susy on April 4, 2012 - 5:02pm

Hello!  My mother gave me some odds and ends of watches that belonged to my grandparents.  This watch was one of them.  I have searched and searched for information as to what the name or model of it might be.  I was able to learn the date as being 1965 from the M5 on the back.  I am unable to open it from the back ~ after doing some research I understand the crystal needs to be removed to "see what's inside"!  I took it to a jeweler and the young man who helped me said that it would run about $125.00 to replace the crystal and repair it if needed ~ he seemed rather off-hand about the watch so I didn't ask him to open it for me.  It runs so I assume he meant cleaning it?  Anyway, I would so very much appreciate any information or advice that anyone can give me regarding the watch ~ whether it is worth investing in a new crystal for it or if it is even "real"!  I am not requesting a value amount ~ I realize that this forum does not do that but any help would be wonderful.  Thank you in advance!!!

I will attempt to add some photos ~

Gerard
Posted April 4, 2012 - 5:10pm

Looks Like the Bulova 30 mw but it has no diamond markers.

NOVA
Posted April 4, 2012 - 7:17pm

Most likely a Beau Brummell, which typically had a 23 or 30 jewel movement and always had diamonds on the dial in varying numbers and arrangements.

It's a very nice watch.

Here are a couple of Beaus from a 1962 ad, just to give you an idea of what they tended to look like.  There were lots of variations, and we don't have ads for nearly all of them.

We have ads showing Beaus from 1958 through 1964, so we know they were available at least during that period of time.  A 1965 model would not surprise me at all.

Gerard
Posted April 4, 2012 - 5:29pm

Yes thats much closer except for the lugs.

NOVA
Posted April 4, 2012 - 5:33pm

Notice how different the lugs are from each other in the ad that I posted.  Yet they are both Beau Brummells.  They came in lots of different cases--both different styles and different metals--with lots of different dials.  What they had in common was the high jewel count and diamond dial, and, as far as I know, they were all round.

NOVA
Posted April 5, 2012 - 9:18am

In reply to by timerestoration

Cool!  I've got some square diamond dial jobs from that time period but didn't think they could be Beaus.  I'll have to investigate further.  Thanks for the excellent information.

timerestoration
Posted April 5, 2012 - 10:34am

In reply to by NOVA

This one is a Perfect match for the above crystal... although this watch is sporting the Diamond Edge Varient CMS301-5

NOVA
Posted April 5, 2012 - 12:30pm

In reply to by timerestoration

That is, in fact, one of the models that I own and was thinking of.  However, my version of that watch has a 17-jewel movement, which does not fit the Beau profile, as we know it at this point.

bobbee
Posted April 4, 2012 - 5:33pm

I agree Nova, Looks like a Beau Brummell.

By the way Susy, that crystal doesn't look too bad, and if you don't mind using a little elbow grease, you could buy a tube of Polywatch crystal polish, this is great for light to medium scratches on acrylic crystals like yours. or if not, use tooth whitening polish, almost as good and gives you a sparkling smile too!

Gerard
Posted April 4, 2012 - 5:35pm

Nice watch!

bobbee
Posted April 4, 2012 - 5:39pm

It's a beautiful watch, looks in great shape too.

Susy
Posted April 4, 2012 - 6:24pm

Oh my goodness!!!  All of these replies and I just posted this!!!

I've been poking around for about four years trying to find out what it was ~ if I hadn't stumbled across your wonderful website I would still be searching!!!

Your expert advice is greatly appreciated! 

As I said, the young man that looked at it didn't seem impressed by it so I wasn't sure if he just didn't know anything about it or if it really wasn't worth opening for me ~ it might also have been because his friend was there and I think I interrupted their visit!  I'm probably sounding old fashioned and showing my age but I remember growing up with my grandparents and parents going to the local jewelery shop and always feeling that special customer service.  I guess those were the good old days!!!  And I have to laugh at myself when I say young man because I don't feel THAT old at 61!!!

Thank you all again so very, very much!!!

OldTicker
Posted April 4, 2012 - 10:43pm

I would agree with Lisa (NOVA) that this watch is probably a Beau Brummell variant in 1965, and a very nice example at that.

Most light scratches and scuffs can be polished out by using a plastic polish like bobbee mentioned. I use a product called PlastiX made by Meguiar's that can be found in most auto parts stores and only costs $6 + change for a 10oz bottle (enough to do a lifetime of watches) and also works very well for polishing the case.

A watch like yours needs to be diaassembled,  cleaned, oiled, and adjusted every few years by a qualified watchmaker who does more than just change batteries on new watches like the young man you discribed.

There are many qualified watchemakers that are also members of this site that will do this work for you, probably for less that what you were quoted by the young man, so if you need their contact info, let me know.

Greg

 

shooter144
Posted April 7, 2012 - 8:37am

In reply to by OldTicker

That PlastX was a great find eh Ticker !!!! saves me a lot of cash lol

William Smith
Posted April 4, 2012 - 11:13pm

Do we have a stainless steel Beau?  Looks like we may now...

bourg01
Posted April 4, 2012 - 11:35pm

Well, here we have mybulova.com at it's best, good informative info, great speculations, I agree with Nova on this one despite not having an ad.  Ticker is right on with directing the watch for servicing. Well done all. Susy, check your messages here on the site. You will have some private mail from other members regarding servicing your watch as Ticker has mentioned.

DreamWeaver
Posted April 4, 2012 - 11:39pm

Check with Vera's Vinatge Watches who advertise on this site.

Susy
Posted April 5, 2012 - 1:44am

Once again, you all are simply the best!!!

Thank you so very, very much!!!

Reverend Rob
Posted April 5, 2012 - 11:10am

A very nice watch!  As mentioned, it is possible to buff the crystal, but as it must be removed to fully service the watch, a new one may be in order, unless finding the correct replacement is problematic, but with round watches this is rarely the case. Sometimes the old crystals become brittle, and may fracture during removal or re-installation. I strongly recommend finding a local qualified watchmaker to service this if you intend to run it, as running a dry watch can damage it. 

Excellent example of the Beau, IMO. and with a service, you will be assured that it can be handed down to your children or children's children.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted April 5, 2012 - 11:31am

If the Watch is to be Serviced replace the Crystal as no amount of polishing will substitute for new.

bobbee
Posted April 5, 2012 - 1:04pm

Absolutely and Amen.

William Smith
Posted April 17, 2012 - 4:52pm

Most characteristics of a Beau, but I don't see an ad of a Beau in stainless steel case?- checked 1958 thru 1965 ads on site.  I don't recall seeing an example of any Beau watch in "Known" database w/ stainless steel case.  Subject watch back states "stainless steel case".

Susy
Posted April 21, 2012 - 7:07pm

Thank you for the information William!

Is it possible to put one kind of watch into another type of case?  If so, then does that mean this isn't a "real" Beau Brummell?

Again, thank you all for your help!

William Smith
Posted April 21, 2012 - 10:24pm

It's possible for movements/dials to fit in various cases. it's also quite likely this is a "real" Beau.  I'd say it's very likely.  It has the Beau charactoristics.  Just curious about the stainless steel back.   I think the ads end at 1964.  ..and we don't have all variants/different Beau represented.  I would say two star tentative for 1965 Beau. It's beautiful!

Susy
Posted April 22, 2012 - 6:56pm

Thank you so very much William!

Again ~ this is such a wonderful website and forum with so many very nice people! 

I truly do appreciate all of the help that each and every one of you have given me ~ those of you who have taken the time to responded to my questions and those who taken the time to send me a personal message ~ I thank you so much!!!

Susy

mybulova_admin
Posted April 22, 2012 - 3:58am

Susy, please consider adding this fine rare example of the Beau Brummell to the site. This is the first I have seen of the 11 diamond version.

What a shame the young person who serviced you had no idea what a wonderful watch you have.

http://www.mybulova.com/adding-your-watch-mybulovacom-database

 

Susy
Posted April 25, 2012 - 8:42pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thank you for the compliment regarding the watch!

I would be more than happy to add my watch to this site but I have a question about the procedure before doing so.  Is there someone special that I should ask?

I want to be sure that I am doing everything right!

DarHin
Posted April 25, 2012 - 8:59pm

Just post your question here, I'm sure you will get several replies. Hopefully at least one will be useful.

Susy
Posted May 5, 2012 - 12:42am

I waited for some time before posting my question because I am very concerned about asking inappropriate questions or doing something wrong on the board while you all have been so very helpful! 

I would like to sell this watch for my parents but I don't know if I should post pictures of it to the site when I am not intending on keeping it. 

While I would like to add the photos of the watch to the site for the information, I do not want to disrespect the forum by putting the photos on and then selling it.

Thank you all once again.

DarHin
Posted May 5, 2012 - 3:33am

Personally, I don't have a problem with people adding a watch to the database with all pertinent info and then selling the watch. It's another thing when someone posts a pic or 2 and asks, what is it just to turn around and sell it.

Darren

PS, next time you are debating asking a question you could PM another member. Panel members are the most knowledgeable. Some of them can be scary though.

tsuj gniddik

 

NOVA
Posted May 5, 2012 - 8:46am

Hi, Susy.  There's absolutely no problem with posting a watch on the site and then selling it.  Lots of members--including panel members--do that routinely, and there's even a way, when you list the watch, to indicate whether or not the watch is currently for sale.

It is in the best interest of the site for you to post your watch, because, even if you then sell it, the site has a record that it existed--a record that will appear in searches of the watch database.  That record is important for others looking for the same or similar watch and to ongoing research efforts.

Thanks for asking the question.

 

 

Susy
Posted May 5, 2012 - 5:00pm

Once again ~ you all are the best!!!

I'll take some more pictures and add it to this wonderful site!!!

Thank you so very much!

Susy