Bulova 1928 Stanford

Submitted by WatchCrystals.net on November 22, 2010 - 4:30am
Manufacture Year
1928
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
502939
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Square
Case color
White
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Perhaps a 1928 Senator, Executive, or ??? I recently acquired this watch in a "lot" of misc. Bulova+ watches. The patent stamp dates it to at least 1927, so I'm guessing it's a '27 or '28... since I'm not planning on disassembling it, to find out... and it's likely too plain, for a 1929 15J model ?! :-) 

I'm only posting it now, as I just reviewed Stephen's post on the '28 Senator... and this one adds to the confusion... at least for me, at this late hour!? The case proportions are more in line with the Senator, as is the three "X" pattern ecos th three "flowers," vs. the single floral motif, on the Executive... as per Wayne's research.

And the case is larger than the Exec. (L: 27.2 x 26.8mm :W) BUT... Wayne also commented that the top and bottom on the Senator (bezel/s?) weren't engraved... so perhaps this case design is an exception? Or maybe an entirely different model, altogether??

PLEASE SEE:  http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1928-Executive-56  for reference.

The crystal proportions are approx. L: 21.8 x 19.8mm :W. However I don't see the glass in the 1929/30 K-K catalog, nor in the 1939 G-S acrylic catalog? My crystal data abyss is currently 1931- 1938. If anyone has any crystal catalogs from this timeframe... I'm DEFINITELY willing to BARTER some info?!

Below are two quick images of this ugly MUTT in it's present "as is" condition... Any help before it is replated several times, redialed (luminously) and  rebuilt... would be appreciated!

THANKS in ADVANCE :-)

 

W. Scott T.

 

 

Bulova watch
1928 Bulova watch
Wayne Hanley
Posted November 22, 2010 - 9:26am

William 1st Scott Sr

The are Two 1928 Senator configurations, one with all 4 sides engraved. The other model is same Senators sides but top & bottom bezel bars are slick.  There are 1928 ads available for both models on site.

I have several examples of 1926 thru 1930 Square watches like the one above that have no name at present. When I get them rounded up in one file, I'll get them too you..

Wayne

 

WatchCrystals.net
Posted November 22, 2010 - 6:29pm

Well since Bulova was a Jeweler turned watchmaker in the twenties... (i.e. was a relative "unknown," competing with the likes of Elgin, etc.) and as Mark pointed out... customers were accustomed to "choice"  giving their two cents, and all case models wouldn't necessarily be a best seller for any company... they likely changed up mid production on occasion, since test marketing was more interactive, back in the day!

I don't even see glass for many of these 20s Bullys listed in the '29/30 K-K catalog (the forerunner to 'Perfit,' by American Perfit, which was either sold to, or merged with, AP in the late 30s (?) and dominated glass crystal production and sales in the 20s and 30s, oddly made in Japan!) Granted they didn't even list model names/nos. until likely the late 30s (I see virtually no model names, in the two 30s catalogs I have, and many, by 1939...)

The mere absence of glass mention for several of the (scarce?) Bullys from the 20s/30s... tells me right there that K-K, etc. refrained from making them, as Bulova was yet relatively SMALL< compared to severalother companies... Also, me's (wrist) watches/crystals were far less than 50% of sales, before WWII, as I'm sure you know, being a '41 vintage! (As are both my parents, BTW...)

Best :-)

Scott 

Wayne Hanley
Posted November 23, 2010 - 2:15am

In reply to by WatchCrystals.net

Scott Sr 1st William

I have this watch also listed as an unknown. Notice the fish engraving pattern with the boxed three Xs on the bezel. The boxed Xs were not used until 1930 on the President & Sky King (without the fish pattern). Just looking at the image, I would think it is the same dimensions & crystal as 1928-29-30 square watches like the senator.

JP
Posted February 20, 2013 - 10:24am

In reply to by WatchCrystals.net

Scott, please PM me for a chat when you can get the time.

John JP

Wayne Hanley
Posted January 26, 2011 - 5:23pm

I think  I've got it! 1928 Revere.

Granted the ad is hard to depict the boxed Xs & opposing fish symbols on the vertical bezel bars. Nothing else comes closer than this terrible ad. I bought one last week & it also fits the Revere name. The 14K white gold case also features two verticle yellow gold inlays inboard of the engraving, close to the crystal (hard to see in this photo).

Wayne

 

WatchCrystals.net
Posted March 5, 2011 - 11:54pm

I concur...

 

THANKS, WAYNE!!! (As I don't see any other timepiece design from that timeframe with a more similar case and dial combo, a 15J movement, in WGF... with the same details vertically engraved, only...)

 

Best :-)  Scott

NOVA
Posted April 20, 2011 - 9:55am

This watch has now been shown to NOT be a Revere.  It remains an "unknown".  A comparison of this watch with the Revere can be found here:  http://www.mybulova.com/node/2071

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 10, 2011 - 9:00am

database ad dated 1930 places the 'REVERE' (Swarthy Leather Strap Model) and this 'UNKNOWN' (Reliability Plus Durability) on the same page showing they are 2 different models. - Right side.

DreamWeaver
Posted June 19, 2012 - 5:16am

I have one of each of these aforementioned watches. One of them is the Reliability Plus (smaller, narrower etching) and a Revere (larger and well-defined etching). Both have the same style case backs (curvex) and are 15J 10AN - one with a cresent for 1928 and the other only has a movement serial number starting with 22 which is consistant with a 1926 movement but it has a 1927 Pat. date. My question is: Both have thick, black, tar-like numbers instead of radium. When I got the first one I thought it was a refinish...but it was so perfect I couldn't belive it. Now with a second one exactly the same....I'm starting to wonder. Was this some type of typical Bulova numbering paint for non-radium models?The dials otherwise look completely original in terms of the registers or tracks or whatever.  I very much doubt they were refinsihed dials. Has anyone had any experience with seeing these dials? Can you shed any light on the material used? Thanks! DW