Bulova 1926 Dictator

Submitted by Geoff Baker on December 11, 2011 - 6:42pm
Manufacture Year
1926
Movement Model
8AN
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
21868
Case Serial No.
6203792
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
2307X17.9
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bulova Dictator. Inside case back stamped Bulova 14 k Gold Filled New York Pat June 10, 1924. Bracelet is unusual deployment style with two opening clasps

Added 12/11/2011  Case S/N updated 1/25/2013  Photos Updated  - New bracelet

1926 Bulova Dictator 1 Geoffrey Baker 6/5/2023
1926 Bulova Dictator 2 Geoffrey Baker 6/5/2023
1926 Bulova Dictator 1 Geoffrey Baker 6/5/2023
1926 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 11, 2011 - 7:21pm

Very nice, but not the 'DICTATOR'.

'DICTATOR' has a curved Case as shown above and is advertised as 17 Jewels.

 

mybulova_admin
Posted December 12, 2011 - 4:14am

Bulova Windsor.

Bulova Windsor

Geoff Baker
Posted December 13, 2011 - 2:53pm

Agree the jewel count is wrong for Dictator but case clearly is a Dictator, Windsor is all arrows on the sides, this case has the extra flourishes indicative of the Dictator (hmmm I like the way that sounds :) - "indicative of the Dictator").

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 13, 2011 - 3:38pm

Geoff,

I agree the engraving pattern is identical, but the Case has zero curvature. Unless the Camera angle is playing tricks it looks completely flat.

The 'WINDSOR' also appears to have a curved bezel admin.

The 'MAGNOLIA' however has the flat bezel and the engraving pattern and Jewel count match.

 

ad Dated 1927

bourg01
Posted December 13, 2011 - 3:38pm

I'd have to agree with Fifth and admin in the " Windsor " model here. I'd give up 3 stars for that call. Either way, she's a beauty. Can you add a profile pic of the case so we could see if it's curved or not.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 13, 2011 - 4:38pm

If someone can provide a clearer detail on either Magnolia or Windsor that matches the case detail on this watch (as the Dictator clearly does) ....I'll stay with the current, albeit tentative ID.

I trust you would both agree that the curvature shown in the 1926 ad is technically impossible to acheive using any 15 or 17 jewel movement know to exsist in 1926? The case BACK has a slight curve, like other models of the period.

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-Brewster-60 - this is close, but the six is covered - but the engraving is a match.....

What fun, eh?

Oh, forgot this - waferish?

bourg01
Posted December 13, 2011 - 4:48pm

Hmmm, I see a slight curve in the caseback. We also know that the curvature shown is alot of the ads is highly overstated in the graphics so I'm inclined to believe that could be the case here as well. They certainly couldn't make it that thin either. Geoff, your starting to convince me. 2 stars worth for now.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 19, 2011 - 2:00pm

The Case Bezel shows Zero curvature - The 'DICTATOR' is obviously curved.

eg of a real world 1920's curved Case bezel above.

Not the 'DICTATOR', not even close.

IMO.

NOVA
Posted January 6, 2012 - 8:52pm

I'm leaning more toward the Windsor based on case style and jewel count.  It would be nice to have a clearer picture of the Windsor engraving, though, to be sure, as it is impossible (for me) to tell whether the Windsor has the larger flourishes in the center of the sides.  I do not see a significant curve to the bezel of the Windsor as noted by Fifth.

The Magnolia is a ladies' model, and, therefore, would be smaller than this watch appears to be.  I know that the ladies' sports models were larger than normal, but they are still noticeably smaller than the mens' of the same period.  I have examples of this in my own collection and have posted side-by-side pictures elsewhere.  I would expect Geoff to have the experience to know if he has a smaller ladies' model.  Along these lines, it would be useful to have case dimensions, so that we can compare to other, similar mens' models, like the President.  I also note that the engraving pattern on the Magnolia appears to be non-matching, as it lacks the larger flourishes on the sides of the bezel.  A clearer view of the Magnolia can be seen in the watch database under Terry K's posting. 

I could go along with the idea that the Dictator illustration is exaggerated, except for the fact that they made such a point of the curvature in the text as well.  To say that it is "curved to fit the wrist" would imply a noticeable curve, not a watch that is nearly flat and that requires one to really look to find any curve at all.

For now, I can only give this one star, but I would gladly revisit that assessment if we could get our hands on a clear image of the Windsor.

Geoff Baker
Posted January 6, 2012 - 10:01pm

I guess the direction of waferish thin-ness and case curvature continues to surprise me. No watch manufacturer, least of all Bulova in the 1920's could possibly have created a movement that would have fit into the case pictured in the ad. That the bezel is not curved I agree, that the back is SLIGHTLY curved is demonstrated but please don't judge this ID based on a grossly exaggerated artist's rendition of the curvature of the case.

Sorry, but still the Dictator at my house.