Bulova 1938 Corrigan

Submitted by plainsmen on December 11, 2010 - 2:53pm
Manufacture Year
1938
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Arrow
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan  -  The Corrigan or "Doug Corrigan" .  It falls into the footsteps of the Lindbergh aviator Lone Eagle as a commemoration of a daredevil flyer, Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan. Douglas Corrigan's hero was Charles Lindbergh.  After applying for permission for a trans-Atlantic flight several times and being denied, Corrigan (of Irish descent) took from from July 17,  1938 from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York with a flight plan filed to return to his home in California.  He later landed at Baldonnel Airport, in Dublin, after a 28-hour, 13-minute flight.  After recieving severe backlash from U.S. flight officials, Corrigan claimed he accidentally flew the wrong way, and stuck with his story.  Thereafter being dubbed "Wrong Way" Corrigan.   Please see full information on Mr. Corrigan here:  The Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan Story This 1937-1938 Corrigan is double stamped with the Arrow and the Crescent indicating being made possibly between years or using a 1937 movement in a 1938 watch. I'm going to deduct that this is actually a 1938 model becuase of the double stamp shows the 1938 hand stamped in.   It is quite possible that this watch had a different name before 1938 as I've seen one from 1935, obviously before Mr. Corrigan's feat. This watch is a 17 Jewel,  and it's 10AE movement runs great.  It shows a little wear through on the case only in the back in two places.  This particular watch has "Isaac" engraved stylishly on the back case.  The minute hand on the watch is bent slightly causing it to hit the hour hand, I will need to get it fixed.  In fact after looking at he ad, I'm not positive that these hands are correct for the Corrigan and will do a little more research on them. All in all I believe it hard to beat the Corrigan as the best example of pure "Art Deco"  in the Bulova line.  Check out those sweet lines....

1938 Bulova Corrigan
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
William Smith
Posted June 11, 2013 - 3:40pm

Shoud the date symbol in root record be changed to "Cresent Moon"?  The text does say both arrow and moon are present, and latter moon appears hand stamped.

airborne
Posted February 15, 2014 - 2:57pm

I love this watch but i need the lug extender....

1955mercury
Posted July 27, 2014 - 11:37am

I'm curious about those spring bars holding the band on this watch. They appear to have external end caps. Does anyone know where I could get a pair of those? I have an old non-Bulova brand watch that has unusually large spring bar holes in the lugs that go all the way through and all the spring bars I've been able to find just slide all the way through the holes. If I had a set of the one's like on this watch I could put a band on mine.

1955mercury
Posted July 27, 2014 - 4:21pm

In reply to by bobbee

Thanks once again Bobbee. Now if you could tell me where I put that watch so I can measure  the lugs to see what length I need, I'll be in business.

bobbee
Posted July 27, 2014 - 9:53pm

It will be underneath the other eighty or ninety 1930's Bulovas you got shoved in the box under the stairs, you incorrigible old hoarder you!

Bob.

JEV1A
Posted April 20, 2017 - 11:14am

Doug Corrigan Model Ad

Doug Corrigan was a low budget Flyer and everyone in the day found it amazing his (900.00) plane would even fly let alone make the "Wrong Way" Trans Atlantic" Crossing. His story was reported as a guy without major sponsorship and a sort of a junkyard dog that became a hero to the everyman.

I think and this is total speculative is that Bulova Execs and Engineers decided to design a Low Cost highly Unusual Model named after "Wrong Way Corrigan". There is no other Bulova Designed Stepped Case like the Corrigan. The double bezel and Lug Extended Strap is like finding old parts in a junk yard and coming up with a beautiful Timepiece for the cost $29.75 that every man could afford! 

I can't back any of this theory up.. but as a aspiring Watchmaker and working on Corrigan's maybe I can make the case that this Model is made up of Bulova's old Spare Parts. 

Its a thought anyway.. JEV1A - "Time & Again" NAWCC Business Member

 

plainsmen
Posted April 20, 2017 - 11:17am

In reply to by JEV1A

I happened to finally find a Corrigan with the originial "lug extenders" attached.  One of our members borrowed them from me and had a guy reproduce them.  I got an extra set out of the deal, but I had thought he was thinking about making a few sets to sell.

Hrmmmm... have to go back and find out whatever happened to that one day.