1956 Bulova President 10BU movement work in progress

[ManSkirtBrew]

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.

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

 

Edited December 25, 2022 by ManSkirtBrew
added link

[Neverenoughwatches]

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.

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

 

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

[ManSkirtBrew]

35 minutes ago, Neverenoughwatches said:

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

BXW, which is Bulova, according to Ranfft.

[Neverenoughwatches]

4 hours ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

BXW, which is Bulova, according to Ranfft.

Lol. I was reading upside down

4 hours ago, ManSkirtBrew said:

BXW, which is Bulova, according to Ranfft.

Same on my import code charts  Bulova. Imported by Bulova, wonder who made the movement? 

[AndyHull]

As far as I can tell its A. Schild - Specifically an AS 1200 variant.

http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&AS_1200

Compare with ..

http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&&2uswk&Bulova_10BU
 

[ManSkirtBrew]

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.

 

[ManSkirtBrew]

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.

[ManSkirtBrew]

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.

 

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.

 

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?

Edited July 17, 2023 by ManSkirtBrew

[RichardHarris123]

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  

[ManSkirtBrew]

Found another President "P" with the spring and washer still intact. I'm going to guess it more for dust/water resistance than anything else.

Edited July 17, 2023 by ManSkirtBrew

[LittleWatchShop]

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.

[GuyMontag]

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.

 

 

 

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.

[ManSkirtBrew]

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!

[ManSkirtBrew]

I made a quick video to show how the movement fits in mine, and so you can see the rotating inner movement ring.

 

[LittleWatchShop]

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.

[RichardHarris123]

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.