New Arrivals: 1959 Bulova White Gold 11AFC Manual
This is a handsome 1959 Bulova dress watch with a very cool mid-century twist: a slim, white-gold-toned look paired with unusual top-lumed hands, freshly serviced and regulated and running well. With its clean, restrained dial and comfortable 35mm proportions, it wears like a classic everyday vintage piece, but the details give it a bit more personality than the average period Bulova.
This is a handsome 1959 Bulova dress watch with a very cool mid-century twist: a slim, white-gold-toned look paired with unusual top-lumed hands, freshly serviced and regulated and running well. With its clean, restrained dial and comfortable 35mm proportions, it wears like a classic everyday vintage piece, but the details give it a bit more personality than the average period Bulova.
Case, Dial & Aesthetic
The case is 10K white gold R.G.P. (rolled gold plate) with a stainless steel snapback, delivering that bright, silvery vintage tone that is less common than yellow-gold plating in this era. The dial is a clean silver/ivory tone with applied Arabic numerals and a tidy minute track, showing light, age-consistent speckling that reads as honest vintage character. A new crystal has been installed for clear viewing and a refreshed presentation. The hands are the standout detail: a less-common top-lume style that gives the watch a distinctive mid-century tool-meets-dress vibe.
Movement: Bulova 11AFC Manual
Inside is Bulova's Caliber 11AFC, a Swiss-made 17-jewel manual-wind movement from the late-1950s/early-1960s period. It is a straightforward, serviceable design with a classic 18,000 bph cadence, and this example presents in excellent condition after service.
Movement: Bulova 11AFC
Winding: Manual wind
Jewels: 17
Frequency (typical): 18,000 bph
Year code: L9 (1959)
Condition & Service
This watch has been fully serviced and regulated and is running well. A new crystal was installed during restoration. The hands were re-lumed to improve visibility while keeping the overall look period-correct. The case shows honest wear consistent with age, and the white gold plate finish gives the watch its distinctive bright, vintage character.
Specs & Details
Brand: Bulova
Year: 1959 (case date code L9)
Case: 10K white gold R.G.P. with stainless steel snapback
Case serial number: D482225
Case size: 35mm
Lug-to-lug: 41mm
Thickness: approx. 8.5mm
Lug width: 17.6mm (17-18mm band - see note below)
Crystal: New
Why This Watch Matters
Late-1950s Bulovas are a sweet spot for collectors because they combine clean mid-century design with durable, serviceable Swiss movements. This example stands out for its white-gold-toned finish and the uncommon top-lumed hand set, and with fresh service already completed it is ready to wear immediately without the usual vintage uncertainty.