Bulova 1930 Round the World

Submitted by rbaines on April 27, 2017 - 1:33pm
Manufacture Year
1930
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
239129
Case Serial No.
0420816
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
square 20mm x 20mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I'm not sure what this is.  So far, I can't see a date code.  From the case and 15 jewels, I'm thinking maybe a "round the world"?.  I'm not even sure of the year. I'm guessing based on the movement code and comparing it to others in the database.  If'll go back in to look for a symbol on the movement, but I'm not too optimistic.

Rich 

1930 Bulova Round The World watch
1930 Bulova watch
1930 Bulova watch
1930 Bulova watch
1930 Bulova watch
Daca102090
Posted May 9, 2017 - 7:09pm

One of the issues is the fact that the movement could have been replaced at some point due to damage or repair.

While there is no evidence that the movement has been changed at any time, it is still a real possibilty.

That is why going by the case date can normally be a more reliable determining factor in model designations.

While I am not on the board, for me that would be the push point, with the jewel count making a difference when two models in the same year would have differing jewel counts such as the President and Treasurer models for most years.

One being 21 jewels and the other 17 jewels but with otherwise identical cases. 

mybulova_admin
Posted May 10, 2017 - 8:20am

The problem arises if the movement is in fact from 1927 as it then (according to site rules) makes it a non-conforming watch. Yes it has the right type of movement, but it would mean that the watch may have started out as a Fleetwood with a 17J movement which was swapped out for a 15J older movement....thus not a true RTW.

Establishing the movement code is key to the ID, but in this case the movement serial also plays a part by suggesting its from 1927 and not 1931.

However with all that said, I would prefer to ID this as a tentative "Round the World" as the parts do match what was originally to that model, except for the date of the movement. 

rbaines
Posted May 10, 2017 - 9:45am

I think I get what you're saying.   Here's one more thought FWIW.  In this specimen, the case is dated to 1930.  The only early  Fleetwood currently  in the database (or the ads) is dated 1929.  Do we know if Bulova was still making/marketing them in 1930?   If they weren't, the case couldn't represent a Fleetwood.

rbaines
Posted May 10, 2017 - 10:08pm

I tried a few more lighting angles and camera settings.  Now it looks like a square on top of a shield, or a shield with a line through it.
 

 
 

mybulova_admin
Posted May 11, 2017 - 9:29am

In reply to by rbaines

Thanks for the new photo, but I'm still not seeing a correct date symbol.

I'll check to see if I have any other references to the Fleetwood to try and gauge when it started and ended.

mybulova_admin
Posted May 11, 2017 - 9:41am

This Bulova 'Round the World' watch has what is the correct 10AN movement, with correct 1931 date code and period movement serial number.

Any chance the movement in the subject watch has the date code near to serial number?

rbaines
Posted May 11, 2017 - 11:15am

Unfortunately...no.

mybulova_admin
Posted May 15, 2017 - 9:16pm

Panel, summerising thoughts and IDs?

Based on the fundamentals and in particluar the jewel count I'm in for tenative 'Round the World', noting the possiblity of an early replacement movement.

Reverend Rob
Posted May 15, 2017 - 9:34pm

Possibly a RTW, I'd be ok with tentative.

rbaines
Posted May 19, 2017 - 6:43am

Thanks folks, for putting the time into this one. (no pun intended)