Bulova 1940 Brewster

Submitted by Stinky_Sullivan on October 19, 2023 - 9:12pm
Manufacture Year
1940
Movement Model
10AX
Movement Date Code
Omega
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
0292516
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

10k gold filled, terraced case
Silvered dial with raised gilt numbers and hands
SN 0292516

17j 10AX movement
Omega date code

There are 5 models with a terraced case similar to this. They are 

Attorney
Brewster
Emperor
Galahad
Jefferson

I have put every attribute described in the ads onto a spreadsheet. Only one has a 10k yellow gold filled case and that’s the Emperor. But the Emperor has a 21j movement. This watch has a 17j. The Emperor is the only one described as having raised gilt numbers and hands which this watch does have. While the Galahad illustration shows gilt numbers and hands, it has an engraved bezel which this does not. The terrace lines in the illustrations of all three Emperor ads are thicker than this watch. The terrace lines on this case are thin like in the 1943 Brewster ad.

There is no ad of any watch that I have seen that matches this watch.

1940 Bulova Emperor maybe dial
1940 Bulova Emperor maybe case back
1940 Bulova Emperor maybe movement
Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 19, 2023 - 10:35pm

I made a mistake in my spreadsheet. The Jefferson is 10k yellow gold filled as well. The case is identical to the Emperor. However, the Jefferson ad says nothing about the numerals and hands. If they are the same, then the models are identical. The only explanation would be that it was called the Emperor from 1940-42 then the Jefferson from 1943. However, if the Jefferson has black numerals and hands, then they are separate models and the numerals and hands are the distinguishing factors.

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 20, 2023 - 9:58am

In reply to by Stinky_Sullivan

But this watch still doesn’t match the Jefferson or Emperor pictures.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 21, 2023 - 5:05am

I agree that we rule out the Jeffereson.

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 21, 2023 - 7:58am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Is the Jefferson ruled out because of the raised gilt numerals or the terrace lines?

mybulova_admin
Posted October 21, 2023 - 5:10am

There is another near identical example on eBay at the moment sporting a 10BL 15 jewel movement.

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 21, 2023 - 8:01am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Based on the other member watches and the ads, the 15j would be due to a movement swap.

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 21, 2023 - 8:09am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I just looked at that watch. It has a SS case back and is 10k RGP. Except for the movement, that would be a match to the Attorney for which we have no picture. That is the ONLY version described as having 10k RGP. There is no disputing that. Even with that watch not being in the DB, I think we can use that as evidence to that end.

plainsmen
Posted October 22, 2023 - 1:23am

Brewster gets my vote.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 22, 2023 - 4:16am

This is a summary Lisa did a few years back.

Galahad:
Case:  36.7mm lug to lug x 25.5 without crown (33.2mm without lug ends)
Crystal:  23.7mm x 20.4mm

Attorney:  
Case:  38.8mm lug to lug x 25.5 without crown (38.1 without lug ends)
Crystal: 23.7mm x 19.9mm (CMT346-14)

Brewster:  
Case:   36.7mm lug to lug x 25.5 without crown (33.2mm without lug ends)
Crystal:  23.7mm x 19.9mm (CMT346-14)

Does this help determine the case model?

mybulova_admin
Posted October 22, 2023 - 4:48am

I'm on the fence for a positive ID, but whatI recommend we do for now is to group this in with the other Brewsters as I agree that this is a match for the yellow gold verions.

Hopefully one us will come across an advert confirming one way or another. I've just spent an hour searching through various newspaper sites to no availl.

1940 Bulova Brewster (for now)