1959 Ultra-Thin Bulova “23” with a gorgeous record groove tropical dial, 23-jewel automatic movement and unusually large for the period tonneau case, measuring 35mm wide, 40mm lug-to-lug, 10mm thick with an 18mm lug width. Watch is in great condition for its age, sets, winds and is running remarkably well, but is missing its seconds hand, which shouldn’t be an issue, as it’s a fairly standard item (see reference photo below). The faceted lance alpha hour and minute hands still retain their original lume and lume plots are still in place on the dial.

A bit of research revealed the following:

The 1950s were a golden era for automatic watches. Self-winding mechanisms were gaining popularity due to their convenience and mechanical sophistication. Bulova capitalized on this trend by introducing the Bulova 23 series in 1954. The 23 in the name wasn’t arbitrary; it highlighted the watch’s 23-jewel self-winding movement. In watchmaking, jewels (typically synthetic rubies) are used at friction points in the movement to reduce wear and enhance accuracy. A 23-jewel movement was considered high-end, placing the Bulova 23 among the elite timepieces of its day.

Key Features:

• 23-Jewel Automatic Movement: The heart of the watch is its 23-jewel self-winding movement, known for reliability and precision. The movement harnesses the natural motion of the wearer’s wrist to keep the watch wound.
  
  
• Durability: Equipped with Bulova’s “DuraPower” mainspring, made from an alloy resistant to deformation, the watch is built to last. The “Shock-Resist” feature protects the movement from everyday bumps and knocks.
  
  
• Anti-Magnetic Properties: Magnetic fields can adversely affect a watch’s accuracy. The Bulova 23 is designed with anti-magnetic components to maintain its precision even in environments with magnetic interference.
  
  
• Water Resistance: While not designed for deep-sea diving, the watch offers adequate water resistance for everyday activities, protecting it from splashes and brief immersion.
  
  
• Elegance and Versatility: With its classic design, the watch is suitable for both formal occasions and daily wear.

The original ad shows that this watch went for $85 when new, which was pretty expensive back then. Heck, a Submariner went for a cool $150! Anyhow, a lot of information for an inexpensive timepiece, but IMHO well worth the read!

$50/shipped in the ConUS and sorry, no PayPal. Please check out my feedback in the Watch Deals section and thanks for looking.
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