Bulova 23

Seems to be a bit of a Frankenwatch. The case is stamped 1959 and the movement is stamped 1957. I bought it broken on eBay, so you have to take what you can get. Looked pretty bad when I opened the box, but a clean, service, new mainspring brought it back to life. New crystal and strap. I believe it is a Bulova 23 "EW".

This is one of my favorite case designs.  This appears to be a 1963 Bulova 23 "DD" based on the 1963 Line Book BAWD0151.  This is a monocase top loader with an M3 date code and engraved "Love, Martha".  The movement is a 10BZAC with 23J and an M3 date code.  Of course I forgot movement photos again.  The dial is silver/champagne and has fully lumed Arabic hour markets.  

Gifted to my Great Grandfather upon his retirement from the USPS in 1961. Came to me with gold Spiegel stretch band. Seems to be same watch as in the attached advertisement. 

1956 Bulova 23 “F”

I’ve been through all the variations. There are 4 primary differences.

1) dial color - some variants come in black and white and for others, the dial color is the difference.

2) lug style - I’ve noticed 4 styles. full contour ears, tapered, straight, and partial contour ears. (These are my terms)

3) case style - primarily I noted 2 styles. One is crenelated and the other is not. Most are not.

4) dial features - some white dials have silver numbers and marks while others are gold. Also, the script below the center. Some say Self Winding while others also say Six Adjustments. The order isn’t the same on every variant.

The “F” variant is the only one with the following features:

1) white dial
2) 3 lines of script below the center with “Self Winding” on the first line.
3) full contour lugs
4) no case crenelation

Front : Bulova 23 Jewel Self Winding - Gray/Dark Gray dial  12/2/4/6/8/10 numerals

Rear : M3 G277879 Stainless Back, self winding, anti-shock, anti-mag, and waterproof stamps on back

Case is round, but the front surface is beveled. I though Regatta because of the dial markings, but from the DB the Regatta had a screw back. I think I see a seam on the back, but not sure. Did Bulova do a screw back with no place to grab it with a tool? I tried popping the crystal and removing the works from the front, but the stem won't split (I think I'm applying enough pull;)) and I can see the face is tucked behind the case. ... some the of 1965 clippers looked right, but no the beveled case. ID ? and help opening. It needs cleaning.

L6 10BPAC movement with scalloped case

14K solid gold case with a white dial, gold hands and number marker. Dial has patina in the center and hands have some rust.

Here is a really curious one in an engraved Bulova case with a "Star" next to "Waterproof" on the back. The only date code observed is on the case back interior - "M1". Full luminous black dial and stainless case. I bid on this one from fairly bad photos, not able to do detrmine if the case was engraved, sanded or badly scratched. To my great satisfaction, it's factory engraved on the top surface as well as the sides. I installed the band, it's not original equipment.

I find this case shape in the linebooks from 1961 to 1964. In 1961-1963 it's a Bulova 23. In 1964 it becomes a Regatta 23. Each listing gives 3 variants. One of the 3 is full number luminous black dial, which this one is. All of the linebook photos appear to show the same watch photo (white dial variant) on the same band, except 1962 that shows the black dial in a smooth case with leather.. The model number changes every year as does the variant letter.

I suspect this is a 23 ZAW which would be the very first black full luminous dial in this casing that became the smooth case 23 YW in 1962 on leather, the 23 YY back on an expansion band with smooth case in 1963 and finally the Regatta 23 NN in smooth case with expansiion band in 1964. Whew!

Looks to be a one year watch.

1961 Bulova 23 "ZAW"

Watch face has excellent glow and appears original. I think this one spent the majority of the last 60 years in a dresser drawer. Keeps excellent time as well.

I believe we have a 1955 Bulova "23" G model. Nice case with pointy lugs and a starburst dial.

Hello experts,  I'm in need of some help on a recent purchase. I just can't find anything about this particular model anywhere. Any help, ideas, or even guesses would be a help.  Thank you kindly