Overview
This mid-century lady's wrist watch features a Bulova 17-jewel movement housed in a 10K Rolled Gold Plate (RGP) bezel case, attached to a distinctive carved semi-precious stone scarab bracelet.
Identification
Vintage Bulova 10K RGP Carved Scarab Watch, 1963
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
Bulova was a dominant force in mid-century American watchmaking, known for importing reliable Swiss-made movements and casing them in the USA. The 'M3' date code is a standard Bulova marking that definitively dates the watch's production to 1963. The carved semi-precious scarab bracelet reflects the enduring popularity of Egyptian Revival motifs in mid-20th-century costume and fine jewelry.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The valuation assumes typical vintage wear for a 1960s piece. The most critical condition factor is the mechanical status of the 17-jewel movement; non-running watches suffer a steep discount.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for standard mid-century ladies' mechanical watches is generally soft, as modern tastes favor larger dials and quartz convenience. However, the Egyptian Revival scarab bracelet gives this piece strong crossover appeal in the vintage jewelry market. Buyers on platforms like Etsy and eBay actively seek these out as wearable fashion accessories rather than horological investments.
Value Drivers
▲ Scarab gemstone bracelet provides strong crossover appeal to vintage jewelry collectors.
▲ Bulova M3 date code provides exact 1963 dating, appealing to birth-year buyers.
▲ 17-jewel Swiss movement indicates a quality mid-century mechanical caliber.
Concerns
▼ Unverified mechanical status — if the watch is not running, value drops to the $50-$75 parts/repair tier.
▼ 10K RGP (Rolled Gold Plate) case limits intrinsic material value compared to solid gold variants.
▼ Potential hidden wear to the gold plating (brassing) on the high-friction points of the bracelet links.
Best Venue
List on a broad marketplace like eBay or a vintage-focused platform like Etsy. Before listing, gently wind the watch to determine if it runs and keeps time for 24 hours; if it does, highlight this in the title and price near $125-$150. If the watch is untested or not running, price it at the $75 floor as a repair/jewelry piece.
Upside Potential
If the watch has been recently serviced by a watchmaker, is keeping accurate time, and the scarab stones are completely free of chips or surface abrasions, it could reach the $150-$175 retail range on a specialized vintage jewelry platform.