Bulova 1960 Beau Brummell

Submitted by refloyd0924 on April 30, 2012 - 9:44pm
DDDW
Manufacture Year
1960
Movement Model
cant remove back
Movement Jewels
30
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
E713736
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This was my grandfather's watch.  I am trying to fine out more information about it.  I want to know what type of band it may have originally had, what is the model, etc....The case says Beau Brummell Diamond Dial.  

refloyd 1960 Bulova UNK 01 12 2014
Bulova watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2012 - 7:58am

30 Jewel Auto in the early 1960's was the Bulova "30" - double check the Date stamp.

refloyd0924
Posted May 1, 2012 - 9:05am

Date Stamp is M0 = 1960 if I am reading the chart correctly.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2012 - 9:31am

The Dial shows characteristics of a 'BEAU BRUMMEL', it's unclear to Me at this time which of the 2 models this Watch would be.

it's a 'Beau' or a Bulova "30".

 

Perhaps some other Members of the site who are truly interested in Model identification will chime in.

NOVA
Posted May 1, 2012 - 10:41am

Okay, I'll take the cue so Fifth can go back to pouting. ;>}

It is very interesting to note that the case reads "Beau Brummell Diamond Dial".  Are you referring to the box rather than the watch case?  Any chance we could get a picture of that verbiage?

It does look like a Beau Brummell to me, and it has the charactertistics of one, which typically includes either 23 or 30 jewels, with the jewel count indicated on the dial, and, most importantly, it has diamonds on the dial, which could appear in a number of different configurations.  The Beaus were also self-winding, shock resistant, etc., and came in a number of different metal grades and colors.  It is important to note that the Beau Brummell is not just one model, but rather a line of models that were named "Beau Brummell', along with a variant indication, e.g., "Beau Brummell O".  I do not know which variant you have.

There were lots of different Beau Brummell models--as indicated by the crystal catalogs--but we as yet have relatively few advertisements for them.  The ads we have for the Beau date from 1958 through 1964, so your watch fits nicely within that time frame.

They came on a number of different straps.  To get an idea of what might be appropriate, I suggest taking a look at the ads dated 1958 through 1964 with an eye toward the various Beaus.  You'll also get an idea of the different case and dial designs that were available for that line of watches.

refloyd0924
Posted May 1, 2012 - 12:30pm

My apologies, when I referred to the case, I meant to original blue leather box the watch was purchased in rather than the watch case.  I will take a photo of it to post.  my thinking is that the watch originally had a leather band since the case is long and narrow, like a pencil case, and would fit a watch that could be unbuckled and laid out flat. 

I remember the watch working when I was younger, but now it has stopped.  I can hear the self winding mechanism spinning inside the watch, but the hands are not moving.  I can pull out the crown and set the time.  I am wondering if the watch was over wound at some point, if that is even possible.  I am hoping the watch can be restored, but I may have a hard time finding someone locally who can do the job as I am from a small town. 

I do appreciate everyone taking the time to help me gather information about the watch.  It is greatly appreciated. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2012 - 12:35pm

IMO the Watch is a 'BEAU', and a nice one, variant unknown at this time.

Reverend Rob
Posted February 18, 2014 - 2:49pm

Beau Brummel DDDW, it is.

Just a word on that old expression "Overwound". 

There is no such thing. Either the watch is fully wound or it isn't. You can't 'overwind' an automatic, the mainspring has a slipping bridle to accomodate continued winding once full power is reached. With manual wind watches, the watch will resist winding when it is fully wound. To force the crown to turn past this point would damage the centre wheel pinion or break the keyless works, or possibly cause an old mainspring to break at the end. 

Often, when a watch is fully wound, it will stop. This is often because of excessive wear in the train, and the full force of the mainspring pushes the worn pivots slightly out of correct engagement, and it may be that the watch worked sporadically at half wind or low power. The same is true of clocks, most being metal on metal, the pivots 'oval' the original holes, and will eventually cause the wheels to engage improperly with the next pinion, causing increased friction and stoppage. A typical 'fix' for this in the old days was increasing the weights on the clocks, which would then overpower the issue until the inevitable failure of the mechanism. 

It is an oft repeated phrase, and if someone tells you something is simply "overwound", they either don't know what they're talking about or are deliberately trying to deceive you. 

There are over 200 reasons why a watch will stop, or run improperly.