UPDATED info: I have bought this Bulova from eBay in september 2012. It seems to be the Envoy, but the movement has only 7 jewels instead of 15. My local watchmaker (who serviced it) told me it was aluminium, but after a few posts from you guys and some better looks at the case (it does have an "F", it turns out to be goldplated. Up to know my best guess is that it is a lower-priced version of the Envoy, because of the simpler movement. It has been owned by the son of German immigrants who moved to the USA in the 1860's and who settled in or near Holland, Michigan and was a christmas gift. As is engraved in the back. I use this watch on a daily basis since it is small, light and comfortable to wear. Also it keeps time very good :)
Hi, what does it have stamped on the inside of the case back, please?
It looks like a regular Bulova case stamp to me, but I cannot see for sure.
This would make it a gold plating, not aluminium.
Possibly a movement change, can you see a date mark stamped on it anywhere?
Thanks.
Welcome bdk9001. I think your watch IS the Envoy. It's a nice one too. I've never seen a 10AN movement in anything other that 15 or 17 jewel, What does it say on yours? It's engraved on the movement itself. The case back also has something written inside, I'm guessing it say 14K rolled gold plate? Don't think Bulova ever did aluminum.
Oh, I grew up near Holland, Michigan - my dad was born there. I think those 1850-60 immigrants were Dutch, all Dutch.
In reply to Welcome bdk9001. I think your by Geoff Baker
Hi Geoff,
At first I thought so too, especially because the name (Henry Wever) sounds very dutch. But when I looked it up it turned out to be from German descent.
I actually bought the watcht because I thought I was bringing a Dutchman's watch back to The Netherlands :P
The movement itself says 7 jewels
Most certainly an Envoy. White Gold Filled case.
Looking at this advert it may suggest that the lower priced Envoy and Banker contained a lessor quality movement (note jewels are not mentioned as in the other adverts)
In reply to Most certainly an Envoy. by mybulova_admin
If we can get a pic of the inside case back, that would be great. While it sure looks like the Envoy case, you state a professional watchmaker has said it's aluminum. I think they were mistaken. I think its gonna turn out to be a white gold fill case.
Unless we think the 7 jewel version was advertised as another model name, its looking like Envoy w/ movement swap or just a 7 jewel Envoy for which we don't have ads to date.
Please advise on the case sigs. Thanks and welcome!
I'll try to get a pic of the inside of the case later, it's nighttime here and the camera's flash makes inscriptions unreadable. Will also post a pic of the engraving on the back.
On the inside of the case there is stamped:
Bulova Quality
o A o
Pat. jan.11.1927
0358345
Also it has a lot of scribbles carved in it which look like some sort of codes.
Just wondering: wouldn't it be weird for the watcht to have a movement change with a movement from the same year? And is there any way to determine if the case is gold filled?
Thanks for all the replies so far, really glad that I'm able to identify my watch :)