Bulova 1965 La Petite

Submitted by Leesa on July 17, 2013 - 12:18pm
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
5AT
Movement Jewels
23
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
Z59021
Case shape
Oval
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

My father bought this for my mother in 1965. She was the only owner. As far as I know she never had any work done on this watch. It is 14 K gold. I want to pass it on to my granddaughter one day. I have no idea the model name.

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
mybulova_admin
Posted August 22, 2013 - 2:45am

Wow! Did he indicate if the band was also 14k gold?

Leesa
Posted August 22, 2013 - 8:57am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

He didn't say anything about the band. I will ask though. He just said the inside was what made it of value. I am one happy girl. (insert smiley face)

 

Reverend Rob
Posted August 22, 2013 - 10:10am

I'm betting the band is also gold. I'm not sure why he would say the value is in the movement, the value of the gold outstrips this considerably. The Bulova 5AT is a very common movt, having been one of their own USA made. That is not to say it isn't a very fine mechanism, it is. A 23 jewel watch, especially in these tiny ladies madels, is a sure sign of quality. In this instance, the watch is shock protected on no fewer than 4 wheels. Endstones on the arbors make for tight endshake control, which is a factor in good timekeeping. This means the arbor, when vertical, rests on its tip, rather than a shoulder machined onto it, in the case of a non-endstone setting. Even tiny amounts of friction in a mechanism so small make a difference. 

I tell my customers that unless the watch is very rare, or a brand name like Rolex or Patek, the value of the watch is entirely in the precious metals (or stones) of the case, and I base my appraisals on this. Unless gold falls back to a pre-recession price, this will be the case most of the time. 

Regardless, I say again, it is an heirloom and priceless in that regard. You have good reason to be happy!

mybulova_admin
Posted August 24, 2013 - 7:24am

In reply to by Reverend Rob

Good evaluation Rob. I very much agree with you.

Have panel members decided on this one yet? I think I was at La Petite, due to the 23J movement.

Leesa
Posted August 24, 2013 - 5:03pm

In reply to by Reverend Rob

I spoke with the jeweler and read what you wrote to him. He said he based it on the entire watch so I misunderstood what he meant. He agreed with what you said, even though I don't have a clue what all that means, he surely understood. He also said it may take time to get the antique value of it since there isn't records back that far. I am hopeful you will be able to identify it one day. Thanks to all who are helping me. Blessings, Leesa

Geoff Baker
Posted August 25, 2013 - 6:10am

I'm still thinking La Petite for this watch, we do not have an ad.