Bulova 1959 Rhapsody

Submitted by denupnorth on April 5, 2015 - 5:14pm
Manufacture Year
1959
Movement Model
5AD
Movement Jewels
23
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
M88440
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Cushion shaped glass original 12.07mm square crves in on all sides
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

1959 Rhapsody

Caseback:BULOVA,L9,10K ROLLED GOLD PLATE,and serial#

Inside caseback:BULOVA FIFTH AVE NEW YORK

5AD 23 jewel movement si dated L9

Linen dial has gold applied markers and reads BULOVA,23

I think this is the Rhapsody"CC" or "DD" .It's in white gold which must have sold more than the yellow as I haven't seen an example of the yellow(and I've been looking).

The band is original and looks great.It's marked:U.S.A. DUCHESS1/40 10K RGP 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
denupnorth
Posted April 7, 2015 - 5:15pm

Wow! it looks like I've got lots to search for. 

William Smith
Posted April 7, 2015 - 5:23pm

In reply to by denupnorth

...but wouldn't it be great to have all of this model variant series  :)  I'll keep an eye out for them for you.

William Smith
Posted April 7, 2015 - 5:21pm

As long as I'm listing Rhapsody stuff in one place, here's a snippet of the 1964 ad Ken cites in his comment above.

DD, EE and FF are not shown.   

denupnorth
Posted April 8, 2015 - 3:30am

William,I have five of the models from this ad with the other one(GG)on the way.Of couse Bulova issued these in both colors of gold .The bands are what make this series appealing to me.

William Smith
Posted April 8, 2015 - 12:34pm

In reply to by denupnorth

Yep for the Rhapsody series, the bracelets are an intergral design component of each variant.  While case gold color and other case charactoristics may be defining the variant designation, the correct bracelet really completes the watch.  We may be able to ID to variant without the bracelet based on case details, however this is not one of those watch series where its close to Point Of Sale if its on a replacement leather strap with matching buckle color.  I'm guessing the bracelets are more uncommon than the watches :)

bobbee
Posted April 8, 2015 - 4:14am

Well, it's a Rhapsody but unsure of the variant as 'HH' upsets the order that has been guessed at.

denupnorth
Posted May 20, 2019 - 6:06pm

The 6784 Rhapsody is also listed in the 1955 price list also @71.50.I think the double letter models started in 1959.I sure would like to see an advert for the "A" and "B" models too.I guess I'm obsessed with this line(looking formore).

Kathy L.
Posted May 20, 2019 - 7:24pm

I don't know much about this line but here is an ad from 1959 with an "A"