Bulova 1925 Oxford

Submitted by timerestoration on January 5, 2015 - 9:00am
Manufacture Year
1925
Movement Model
8TA
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
8393
Case Serial No.
309
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hello All,

I picked this one up at auction last week. I thought it was interesting enough to post, and worthy of restoration. I thought I had seen something similar on the site, but can't locate it. Notice the Hallmark on the side of the case near the crown. I am not sure if we will be able to pin this one down.

timerestoration 1925 Bulova 01 05 2015
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
plainsmen
Posted January 5, 2015 - 9:39am

Can't quite make out what the stamping on the inside is?

I think I was outbid about 3-4 years ago by Lisa or someone on a 1920's solid silver Bulova that had halmarks like this.  I'll have to see if I have any records.

timerestoration
Posted January 5, 2015 - 9:52am

Inside case is stamped BULOVA WATCH CO, SWISS

Lion Hallmark, and Number 309

bobbee
Posted January 5, 2015 - 12:30pm

The lion is actually a standing bear, and that is the one repeated near the crown.

It is the Swiss export mark for silver (high grade) from 1882 until 1934.

Mid-grade silver exported from Switzerland had a grouse stamp.

Could be the 39744 model, nice find Jeff.

bobbee
Posted January 5, 2015 - 1:14pm

Damn, thought I nailed it! I would put it at 1925, not 1934!

New movement too, no record of an 8TA anywhere.

Cool watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted January 6, 2015 - 2:28am

 

Agree with 1925. I can see the circle date code.

William Smith
Posted January 6, 2015 - 2:51am

Nice.  Real nice.  Looks like it's longer in rectangle length than the Conquistador (or what ever those letters spell).

bobbee
Posted January 6, 2015 - 3:34am

1924 ad looks like it. Well, the case shape/lack of sub-dial.

Oh, and the jewel count, case material too!

Dial variant could be explained by case material. Advert could be showing solid gold version, silver could have different dial to make it easy to distinguish between case metals without opening up the watch. This possible explanation would also account for other dial variants not seen for non-solid gold/platinum models in other ads from the 1920's.