1961 Bulova mechanical wrist watch, gold filled case, black dial, gold colored 3 hands with sub-second in place of 6, Arabic numerals 9, 12, 3, gold colored hour markings, hidden lugs with four angular lines descending to a point right to left at top and ascending to a point left to right at bottom, signed Bulova four times (1) dial below 12 (2) caseback top edge (3) crown (4) movement. (Photo attached) The crystal measures 21.4mm wide x 19mm. The crystal can be easily pushed outward from the front of the case and what appears to be some dried adhesive is in the seat of for the crystal. The rectangle case measures 24.2mm wide x 22mm. The caseback is marked across the top “10K GOLD FILLED” “BULOVA” “M1” (1961) and across the bottom “F283344” (Serial Number). The interior of the caseback has inscriptions believed to be: “Ht 1016” over “67A25271” over “69^64Y8X”. To the left of these inscriptions are additional marki ngs: “H563” over “3-5” (Photo attached) Movement attached to dial. Movement 8AC signed “BULOVA” “M1,” “21 JEWELS,” “U.S.A.,” “2 POS” above “5 ADJ” (Photo attached) The attached expansion band is gold tone with an exterior “lizard skin” pattern and the interior of each link has “U.S.A.” on either end and in opposing direction. There are no other markings on the band between the links or at the spring bars. It is unknown if this is an aftermarket band. The watch was a thrift shop find and was not running when obtained. I wound the movement to the point of resistance and then moved the hands several hours in clockwise and then counterclockwise direction. The movement then began running. The movement has kept very reasonable time for the past approximate 20 hours. Pardon if there are issue with the photos due to sizing.
Hello ncmountie, welcome to myBulova. This is a really nice looking old Bulova, it's a different style from many of the same era. The band is definitely aftermarket. The one concern with it is that the 'one-size-fits-all aspect exerts constant pressure on the watch lugs and will eventually create wear on them. I do agree with the rest of the panel that he's named correctly as Rawlings C. Thanks for sharing it.
In reply to Hello ncmountie, welcome to by Geoff Baker
Thank you Geoff for your input... and yes, it does have a unique look and which is what piqued my interest. Many of the vintage square or rectangle examples seem somewhat similar to me personally, but the "accordion" detail with opposing slopes for the hidden lugs (if described well enough) combined with the black dial, I thought was very appealing. Also, yes, I now understand the "one size..." metal bands can be damaging to the lugs of any watch. Makes perfect sense. Being relatively new to the interest in watches, I had not given this any thought; however, I use leather on my other watches except for an "one-size..." expansion calendar display band used on a 1963 Timex Marlin. I will remedy this issue on this watch. Thanks again.