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1956 Bulova President 10BU movement work in progress

ManSkirtBrew
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ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

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Just got this lovely little lad. Only just started researching, but thanks to @GuyMontag's suggestion, it appears to be a President. This thread at MyBulova backs that up.

Edit: also this thread at MyBulova that Guy linked, describing the "President P" variant. I haven't been able to find any other pictures or advertisements or mentions of the charcoal dial on the internet, but my Google-fu may not be strong enough.

It came to me fully wound and not running. Found some corrosion by the stem and on the crown wheel, so we'll have to see what's deeper inside.

Giving the balance a little push, it seems to want to run, but it feels gummy. The last Bulova movement I worked on had the lubricant in the jewels turn rock hard, and it felt exactly like this, so I'm hoping a good cleaning and service will fix it.

The face is in pretty rough shape around the diamonds, and I think I spy a fingerprint or two.

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Anyway, I'll keep y'all updated of my progress as I go!

 

Edited by ManSkirtBrew
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Neverenoughwatches Distinguished Member

Neverenoughwatches

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41 minutes ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

Just got this lovely little lad. Only just started researching, but thanks to @GuyMontag's suggestion, it appears to be a President. This thread at MyBulova backs that up.

Edit: also this thread at MyBulova that Guy linked, describing the "President P" variant. I haven't been able to find any other pictures or advertisements or mentions of the charcoal dial on the internet, but my Google-fu may not be strong enough.

It came to me fully wound and not running. Found some corrosion by the stem and on the crown wheel, so we'll have to see what's deeper inside.

Giving the balance a little push, it seems to want to run, but it feels gummy. The last Bulova movement I worked on had the lubricant in the jewels turn rock hard, and it felt exactly like this, so I'm hoping a good cleaning and service will fix it.

The face is in pretty rough shape around the diamonds, and I think I spy a fingerprint or two.

20221223_170232.thumb.jpg.8178736ea5065b98776abc436e3efa64.jpg

20221225_000305.thumb.jpg.7019b6b8838200894e9863a9f5f688d5.jpg

20221225_000432.thumb.jpg.58a918ac995645dcc2a3dd6628690294.jpg

20221225_000512.thumb.jpg.0f905c98d74a0d496e99d39fd534b4f1.jpg

20221225_000755.thumb.jpg.c079b9807e010c61c4fcb14d51709396.jpg

20221225_000801.thumb.jpg.f3db46b4cb92c336b9e415b16d614783.jpg

Anyway, I'll keep y'all updated of my progress as I go!

 

You have an import code there msb, is it axo ?

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ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

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Corrosion doesn't seem too extensive. Other than the outer half of the stem, the keyless works look pretty good. There's some on the center wheel arbor, which may need replacing.

Someone scratched "8020" into the back of the dial.

Lots of side shake in the barrel bridge. Going to have to close that hole up. Definitely going to need a mainspring.

Overall though, could be worse. I don't see any cracked jewels or anything alarming. Yet.

 

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  • 3 months later...
ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

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Finally got back to work on this one, and boy did it clean up nicely. Only part replaced was the mainspring. It could probably use a new stem, and I lost the little spring on the stem during cleaning, but otherwise just cleaned and lubricated.

I polished the crystal with red rouge, then automotive plastic polish, and the results are nothing short of stunning. Despite the dial being a disaster up close, it really looks great on the wrist.

image.thumb.png.a5f86471bcb60719e08d7482b6d9c5cf.png

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  • 2 months later...
ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

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Sorry to revive this old thread, but I could use some help.

I noticed today that the movement is loose in the case--when I wind or set the time, it wiggles the whole movement.

I'm not super experienced with front loaders. Is the friction between the dial and bezel what's supposed to hold it in place? It doesn't seem like there's enough here.

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The movement ring on the back is free to spin in the case back, but it seems trapped in place (I haven't tried to force it out).

Edit: my other thought is looking at this lip on the movement ring. Is it possible the ring is supposed to go between the dial and movement? I'm still not sure how that would hold the movement in place, though.

20230716_195133.thumb.jpg.f71716aeff3856e7c1f3f76cb6704bd0.jpg

 

Oh wait, I just remembered something. There was a spring on the stem when I got it that somehow evaporated during cleaning. Could that be what keeps the movement centered? Seems weird, but I guess anything is possible.

If so, where does one find such a tiny replacement spring?

image.png.3f01b8eba0acec2e13bb594e1cef55b8.png

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LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

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11 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I don't know but a while back we had a misunderstanding about front loaders.  To me the back is removable but the movement comes out of the front, to you the back isn't removable. Does anyone know the answer or is it a mute point  

Looks like a one-piece case to me (monocoque).  Perhaps there was a reflector ring that interfaced to the bezel to hold the movement in place.  I cannot find this case in the Bullova Case Parts Catalog.  I do not see a movement number stamped on the inside where I would expect it.  If there is a number (not visible from the pictures) post that number.

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GuyMontag Super WRT Addict

GuyMontag

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This watch has a 1956 date on the caseback which is before Bulova started using case numbers so it won't be in the case parts catalog. I don't have this watch but I have a handful that are somewhat similar.

 

 

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None of them have a moveable ring like on yours. When the movements are in the case they are somewhat difficult to get out, I have to pry them up to get them to pop out.

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ManSkirtBrew Super WRT Addict

ManSkirtBrew

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2 hours ago, GuyMontag said:

I have to pry them up to get them to pop out.

That definitely does not describe mine. It just falls right out the front.

If I get some time tonight I'll pop off the dial and see what I can discover. Thanks for the info!

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LittleWatchShop Distinguished Member

LittleWatchShop

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23 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

I don't know but a while back we had a misunderstanding about front loaders.  To me the back is removable but the movement comes out of the front, to you the back isn't removable. Does anyone know the answer or is it a mute point  

I do not know the official meaning of "front loader" but when I use the term, I mean that there is no back that can be removed.  Many pocket watches come out the front even though the back can be opened or removed.

Please, no offense, but it is "moot" and not "mute."  A common error.

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RichardHarris123 Distinguished Member

RichardHarris123

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5 hours ago, LittleWatchShop said:

I do not know the official meaning of "front loader" but when I use the term, I mean that there is no back that can be removed.  Many pocket watches come out the front even though the back can be opened or removed.

Please, no offense, but it is "moot" and not "mute."  A common error.

You are correct and something I  once knew.  No offence at  all. 

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