Bulova 1943 President

Submitted by MargieD on March 28, 2015 - 6:39pm
Manufacture Year
1943
Movement Model
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
3439982
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Rose
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hi All:  I recently inherited this beautiful watch.   Would appreciate any information you could provide regarding its origins. On the back of the case: "14K gold filled" (it's pink/rose gold color) and "Bulova".  Case serial number is "3439982".   Dial is black/charcoal.  Has sub-second hands.  Crown, which I don't think is original, is missing a "Bulova" stamp.   Crystal, which may also be new, has minimal wear or scratching.  However, I think the cyrstal is actually plastic.  The leather strap/band is also relatively new.   I have not had the opportunity to take it to a jeweler for closer inspection.   It was running when I received it and keeps perfect time.  After scouring your database, the dial seems to match a 1948 His Excellency NN, but the case does not.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.   After spending some time on this site, it's easy to become a vintage Bulova addict!  ;-)

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
1955mercury
Posted March 28, 2015 - 10:07pm

Hi MargieD. You certainly inherited a beautiful vintage Bulova. The case appears to be the 1943 President "E" or "F" model. I think the previous owner may have added some personal touches to it to suit his taste. Normally we don't see black dials in a rose gold case. But I think it's safe to say it has a refinished dial. I'm not sure if the lumed hands were an option for this model or not.

Geoff Baker
Posted March 29, 2015 - 5:59am

Hi Margie, welcome to myBulova. I'm a big fan of inherited watches so I think you've hit the jackpot with this one. Here's the only advert I find on site that shows this model in both yellow and rose gold:

 ad is dated 1941.

I think you have a President model. Dial refinishing and crystal replacement was and still is commonly accepted, I would say your watch most likely had a dial as the the "F" model shown above. I don't know that crowns were marked in this era but yours looks fine. All around I say it's a very nice watch. Be careful on the myBulova website, many of us caught the addiction (Bulovitis is the medical term) researching an heirloom watch much like you've been doing. If/when you do take it to a jeweler have them look for a date code on the movement. We also recommend regular service if you plan to wear and use the watch.

President is my ID vote, no variant.

jabs
Posted March 29, 2015 - 6:33am

Agree with President without variant

JP
Posted March 29, 2015 - 10:56am

Ditto jabs

mybulova_admin
Posted March 31, 2015 - 3:37am

All Bulova 1943 President, unknown variant. Interesteing combination with the black dial and radium hands.

William Smith
Posted March 31, 2015 - 4:24am

President from me.  Nice family heirloom.