Double Date Stamped 7AP 17 Jewel 14K Gold Filled Case?

Submitted by Killsnapz on August 17, 2013 - 7:59pm

Hello everyone. I have been reading many post on here for the last year and learning muc about the several Bulova watches I currently own. I have been meaning to post this question for a while as the subject title states. I have a Bulova with a 7AP movement that has both symbols for the model year 1941 and 1942. Namely it is marked with a star and also a "T" with the curved top. I would like to get some opinions as to why would it be double stamped?

 

 

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated. I searched through the pictures of other models that members have posted here and i can not find any other watch with a face similar to thisd one.

Michael

 

Daca102090
Posted August 17, 2013 - 8:52pm

Usually one (the earlier) will be factory machine stamped and the newer will be a lighter sometimes imperfect hand stamped symbol.

Bulova sometimes did this when they used a moement that had been manufactured in the previous year and wanted to show the current or upcoming year in that model.

Not extremely common (as in 2 out of five) but not unusual either.

Killsnapz
Posted August 18, 2013 - 12:26pm

Thanks for the quick answer. I thought it might have been something along those lines. I was wondering how unusual it was. I am going to try later to post some pictures of the face. As I mentioned I searched all through the pictures members have posted here and I have yet to find one with a face that is similar in any respects.

 

Michael

Killsnapz
Posted August 18, 2013 - 12:52pm

Here is a picture of the face. I have yet to find pictures of anything similar. Very unusual as there are no numerals at any position. I am not sure what the markings at the 1 2 4 5 7 8 10 and 11 o'clock postions are made of?

Michael

Killsnapz
Posted August 18, 2013 - 4:18pm

Here is a picture of the double date stamp. Like Daca102090 mentioned you can see the star stamp is nice and clearly defined while the "T" mark above it is not well defined at all and amost invisible. It was a chore to even get it to show clearly in a photo taken with a 12.1 mp camera!

mybulova_admin
Posted August 19, 2013 - 8:45am

In reply to by Killsnapz

I can certainly se the astrix ( * ) but am having troube seeing the T.

Any chance you can point it out for me.

Killsnapz
Posted August 19, 2013 - 2:38pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Here is a better shot of the markings. It is very hard to get them both to show up clearly in the same picture due to the reflection.

 

Killsnapz
Posted August 18, 2013 - 4:28pm

Thank you so much DarHin for the links!

I spend many hours sorting through all of the great pictures here and never came across that one. I really wanted to know the name of the style and now thanks to you I do! I am assuming mine is a 42 model due to it having the curved "T" for 1942 above the star date mark for the 1941 model year.

I also have to wonder how war time restrictions may have affected Bulova's abilities to procure the metals needed to build watches.

DarHin
Posted August 18, 2013 - 4:37pm

When I'm looking for an id the first thing I do is search for the same movement model/jewel count.

Daca102090
Posted August 18, 2013 - 9:39pm

The dial on that is pretty pristine.

Usually they are more clouded, corroded or chipped.

Definitely a keeper!!

Killsnapz
Posted August 18, 2013 - 10:53pm

Yes she is a keeper for sure!

It is my favorite out of the three I have right now. I picked it up about 5 years ago at a small antique place here in Stradford Conn. It had no band and a scratch on the crysta but it worked. I took it to my local jewler who found a good crystal and also cleaned and oil it and also cleaned the dial face. Then he found a nice band that looked like it was made specificly just for this watch to me.

I collect way to many different things but recently these 40's era Bulova watches  have been calling my name. I will definetely be adding a couple more to the collection as I find them in the near future

This forum is an excellent site with a great collection of information and great people. It is a big reason for my desire to collect more of these watches.

Michael