Bulova 1955 -Unknown

Submitted by clbailey79 on June 11, 2012 - 1:19pm
Manufacture Year
1955
Movement Model
5AD
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
L02629
Case shape
Square
Case color
Two-tone
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

Recently came upon this Bulova ladies wristwatch.  I'm trying to get more info and maybe value of the piece.  I cannot find another one like it anywhere!  I have learned a few things about the piece:

It is marked Bulova on the face

On the back it is marked "Bulova 14K Gold" and "L5" which I have learned notes the year it was made which was 1955

Each link of the bracelet says "Speidel USA".

There are 4 diamonds.

Inside says "5AD" and "17 Jewels". I would really appreciate any info if anyone knows more about this piece.

 

 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
William Smith
Posted June 11, 2012 - 1:24pm

This is one of those ladies where it's difficult for me to determine where the lugs end and the bracelet begins...

NOVA
Posted June 11, 2012 - 1:46pm

I haven't yet found an exact match for the case, but it appears to have a lot in common with the various mid-1950s Goddesses of Time.  They tend to have the trailing lugs with varying number of diamonds.  Also, check out the Cecile.

I've got to turn my attention elsewhere for a few hours, but when I return I'll look through some new ads I have here and see if there's a match, if no one has found anything by then.  There are quite a few ladies' models in this new collection of ads.

 

P.S.  Lovely watch.

bobbee
Posted June 11, 2012 - 2:56pm

Looks very like the "Cecile" inthe 1953 ads, has the same "V" below the diamond mount, but has cord band and dial has full 1-12 numerals.

And if I could operate a computer with even minimal skills, or without the draft between my ears blowing all good advice away, there would be a link or advert pasted here.

William Smith
Posted June 11, 2012 - 8:35pm

Two 1953 ads for the "Ceclile" below.

NOVA
Posted June 11, 2012 - 8:48pm

The left-hand model works for me, in terms of the case design, but the dial is different, and the diamond count doesn't match.

William Smith
Posted June 11, 2012 - 8:51pm

Yep different dial, diff. diamond count, and we don't know the subject watch jewel count until/if it can be opened.

Maybe subject watch has two diamonds on bezel and the other 5 (an odd number) are on the band? 

OldTicker
Posted June 11, 2012 - 9:29pm

Some of these ladies watches have cleverly cut patterens on the bezel that to the naked eye might look like diamonds, a good 10X loupe will prove or disprove that and a Diamond tester will confirm.

The dial could be a newer version that we don't have a ad for yet...Pictures taken with the Macro setting would help.

clbailey79
Posted June 13, 2012 - 1:06am

I will try to get some better pictures for everyone. I also have a loop around here somewhere. I'll try to find it and get the exact number of stones. It's hard to tell the stones from the shine. Any ideas or suggestions on how to get the back off?

William Smith
Posted June 13, 2012 - 1:37am

On the very back part of the watch there should be a little tab on one edge - on one of the sides where the band attaches.  This is the "lip" which you can "pry" up using something like a credit card or firm-but-soft plastic knife or the likes.  You don't want to scratch the case of the watch while lifting up, but you have to be able to apply enough pressure for the back to "snap off".  Once the back is ajar (so to speak) you can remove the back part gently with your fingers.  Keep the dial facing down so none of the works fall out when you remove the back. 

It snaps back on in the reverse of how you remove.  Just line it up in place, and apply pressure at the end with the tab.  It will "snap" back in.