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In the pantheon of great American watchmaking, Bulova stands as an absolute titan. While many brands laid claim to American heritage, Bulova backed it up by producing truly world-class, high-grade movements right here in the U.S.A. In the fiercely competitive post-war market, the “Bulova 23” line was their flagship, a proud and powerful statement of technical supremacy. This wasn’t just a watch; it was America’s answer to the best of Switzerland.
The heart of these legendary timepieces was a new family of high-jewel, automatic calibers, and the Caliber 10BPAC found in this piece is a prime example of their prowess. A quick glance at the movement reveals what makes it so special: not only is it signed “BULOVA – U.S.A.” and packed with 23 jewels, but it’s also adjusted to an incredible six positions. This level of fine-tuning for accuracy across different temperatures and positions was, and still is, the hallmark of a true chronometer-grade engine. This was a movement built not just to run, but to run with exceptional precision. Bulova wasn’t just competing; they were flexing.
This stunning example, precisely dated to 1957 by its “L7” case code, is the perfect marriage of that technical excellence with the exuberant style of the Atomic Age. The first thing that will grab you is the dial—an absolutely mesmerizing black surface with a fine, radial guilloché pattern that explodes from the center. It creates a dynamic, textured effect that plays with the light in a truly spectacular way. The sharp, applied pyramid hour markers and classic dauphine hands provide a perfect, high-contrast counterpoint to the intricate dial work. Wrapping it all up is a handsome 10k rolled-gold-plate case, distinguished by its fantastically sculpted, almost wing-like lugs that give the watch a powerful and unique presence on the wrist.
