Hi all - I would like the assistance of other members in helping to establish the identity of this nice ladies Bulova watch. Looking through the ads I think it may be a 1929 Rona. The case is in white gold fill and is marked Bulova Quality pat. June 10 1924. and the serial number 0217730 . I am presuming it is 14k gold filled as there is no markings to indicate if it is or not. the case is engraved on the front side and rear of case and has the initials JCB engraved on the back. It is a hinged case with a matching bracelet. The movement is a 15jewel ,4 adjusted 6AF and has the shield mark and serial number 160855. Bulova watch Co. The crown has a blue sapphire . The watch still has the dust cover over the movement. there is no sign of wear on the case . The watch is still working but certainly could do with a service. I still can't seem to upload the ads pages . can anyone help please
"Bulova Quality" is stamped in watches well before 1929, in both filled and rolled cases.
This 1927 Minerva also is rgp, not just the Bernice.
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1927-minerva-441
And this 1927 Rona.
http://www.watchophilia.com/photogallery/bulovas-1920-1929/a1927-rona/
And this 1927 Juliana.
http://www.watchophilia.com/photogallery/bulovas-1920-1929/a1927-julian…
Correct Bobbee. I am aware of the Minerva and the Juliana. It proves the stamping/process of "rolled gold plate" was indeed introduced in 1927. Above I talk about the new price point that the Bernice is introduced in 1928 at US$24.50 facilitated by the "new" process of rolled gold plate. Although we have the record of Minerva of 1927 on the myBulova site being rolled gold plate, the Minerva was advertised twice: in 1924 and 1927, both indicate "gold filled". The Juliana was advertised only once in 1928 at the same price point of US$24.75, confirming that the "new" rolled gold plate" models were positioned at this price point. In 1924 and 1925, Bulova stamped their watches with "filled". It is assumed that it is "gold filled" since in 1926 the same watches are stamped with "gold filled".
In my original comment, I was focussing on giving Donegd some back ground on the Rona, with main point being the new price point it introduced of US$24.75. Although facilitated by the technology rolled gold plate, it was not my intention to discuss the full history of rolled gold plate.
Sorry Alex, but if you claim things like 1928 is the starting date for the use of rgp- as in your first post- when it was 1927, we need to clear it up.
If giving background it is best to be accurate. We need to be clear about any claims made, maybe some explanation is needed, as readers like to understand why they are being told things.
This is all for future readers too, as this site is helping define Bulova history. Accuracy and clarity are needed for any future discussions of such.
Your knowledge is not under attack, I know you have really done hard research about a little-known subject-ladies wrist watches. I appreciate your work, but it needs to be "talked over" to clear up any misgivings or inaccuracies.
Please don't take it personally, I am only inquisitive and need things explaining in detail sometimes! :-)
1930 Bulova Rona is my call based on the case serial number starting with a '0', thus 1930. Having a 1929 movement is perfectly fine and probably the norm.
Bob the three links above do not show any evidence you are presenting. The 1927 Minivera link is broken and the other two references do not show any visual evidence, just the information that cannot be validated.
Below links show the back inside case stamped with 'Bulova Quality'
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1927-unknown-1431
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1927-conqueror-6002
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1924-beverley-5202
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1924-Unknown-325
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1925-norma-5237
In reply to 1930 Bulova Rona is my call by mybulova_admin
I agree Lisa knows her stuff alright. She learned lots of this here with MyBulova over the years, and has done extensive research on her own both during and after her participation on MyBulova..
However, when I look at Lisa's tables for her watches, there are two fields which pretain to this issue. One is the Case Signature Format. The other is the Case Material Description.
Case Signature Format "Bulova, American Standard"
Case Material Description 14K Rolled Gold Plate (white, engraved)
Read more: http://www.watchophilia.com/photogallery/bulovas-1920-1929/a1927-rona/
Based on how she has entered other case signature fields, it appears when she has a case hallmarked with gold content/fill/plate etc.... she notes that in the Case Signature Format. The Case Material Deescription field may be here opinion on gold content/type if its not hallmarked as such? I don't remember for sure. I could be wrong on this, so I'm checking some of her other records for clarification on her use of these two fields.
Again, while it is much more work, I like good pictures of all parts of the watch.
Stephen, if Lisa's information is not good enough, I will refrain from using any references at all from her site, Okay?
Here is the link again to fifth's 1927 MINERVA.
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1927-minerva-4419
Here is a pic.
