Bulova Pointer Date "23 Jewels"

Bulova Pointer Date "23 Jewels" (L7 / 1957)
Gold-toned, with a daylight window and a red arrow date, the elegance of the '50s calendar!
In the second half of the 1950s, Bulova seriously challenged its Swiss counterparts with its precision-adjusted automatic "Calendar" models. This piece, with its red arrow-tipped pointer-date (1-31 scale), a framed daylight window at 12 o'clock, and a 24-hour sub-display at 6 o'clock, is one of the most characteristic Bulovas of that era. The proud inscription "23 Jewels - Six Adjustments" on the dial indicates that the factory adjusted this caliber to high-class tolerances.

Manufacture - Identification
Date code: L7 stamp on the caseback → 1957 production.
Serial number: C328759 (case back).
Origin: Bulova Watch Co., U.S.A. (The rotor features the "U.S.A." engraving.)
Model family: Bulova "23 Calendar / Pointer Date".
Caliber: 10BPAD family (23-jewel automatic, calendar) according to the rotor marking.
Setting: Six Adjustments (six-position adjustment) – a refined setting class, approaching the chronometer level of the 1950s.

Movement
Type: Self-winding (centrifugal rotor).
Jewels: 23 jewels.
Frequency: Standards of the period (18,000 vph) – typical of the family.

Highlights:
The calendar winding is driven by a mechanical cam/gear, offering a combination of daylight and pointer-date.
The Six Adjustments designation indicates that the factory made fine adjustments to various positions (often including temperature/isochronism), a high-end feature for the period.
The rotor and bridges exhibit clean workmanship, purple ruby stones, and decent oil marks (as seen in photos).

Functions
Hour/minute (center).
Pointer-date: The red-tipped center hand indicates the 1–31 scale on the outer ring.
Day window: At 12 o'clock, a framed "TU" (Tuesday) pattern is visible.
24-hour subdial: At 6 o'clock, the 24-hour indicator, which distinguishes noon from night (the subdial displays the numbers 13–19).

Case, Glass, and Back
Case material: 10K Gold-Filled (GF) – clearly legible on the side inscriptions.
Case back: Screw-down; "SELF WINDING / SHOCK RESISTANT / ANTI-MAGNETIC" is engraved around the perimeter.
Bezel: Thin coin-edge / fluted profile; creates a pleasant shimmer in the light.
Case: Domed mineral, appropriate for the period (reflects the original character).
Case diameter: 34.2 mm (excluding crown).
Thickness: Medium profile, appropriate for period automatics. Lug width: 18 mm (matches the strap to this extent).

Dial & Design
Finish: Champagne/tan; homogeneous vintage patina preserved.
Indices: Applied gold-tone Arabic numerals + triangular markers.
Signatures: "BULOVA," "23 Jewels," and "SIX ADJUSTMENTS" are clearly visible.
The arrow-tipped date hand and gold-tone hands complement the warm case color.
Legibility: The inner 24-hour subdial and outer 1–31 scales provide day and date information at a glance.

Condition Notes:
Dial: Nice natural patina appropriate for age; adds character to purchase/display.
Case: Good gold-filled finish; small imperfection/chip on the case back edge due to opening marks, but not noticeable.
Movement: Visually clean; typical hairline scratches on rotor/bridge surfaces; The rubies and gears are clear.
Strap: A stylish match with new brown leather.

Collection Value & Context
The Bulova "23" series, stamped 1957, held a prestigious position in the US market with its high jewel count and high-end settings.
The pointer-date + daylight combination was a more limited-edition, complicated variation for Bulova in the 1950s.
The bezel and lugs in the 10K GF case are quite elegant; the 34 mm diameter is the ideal "dress" size for the period.
The dial retains its original patina, which is a positive for collectors; its lack of extensive restoration gives it a unique appearance.

Case Contents / Engravings
C328759 on the case back, L7 on the inside, Self-Winding/Shock Resistant/Anti-Magnetic around the perimeter, and 10K Gold-Filled markings on the outer rim.

Final Word:
The Bulova Pointer Date "23 Jewels" is not just a "dress watch"; A calendar classic that embodies the technical pride and design refinement of 1950s American watchmaking.

The red arrow date hand, day window, and 24-hour subdial combine function and poetry with every glance. Its 23-jewel heart, set with Six Adjustments, whispers that it was born to be worn on the wrist, not in a display case.

The item you are viewing was manufactured in 1957.

Professionally overhauled and FULLY SERVICED (the movement is completely disassembled, its components cleaned, oiled, and adjusted), your watch will function flawlessly without any surprises. (Maintenance-free for 3 years unless exposed to direct water or high humidity for extended periods.)
Item Condition: Tested and fully functional.