Untouched for possibly 60 years, This watch was discovered by myself amongst my late grandfather's things last Friday. It was possibly bought by my great grandfather either for himself, or for his son on his13th birthday in February of '45.
This watch came with the original presentation box of luscious plum velvet, the original warranty, still vibrant after 70 years, and the sturdy outer cardboard box. Both of my parents' families grew up (and still live in) one of the watch factory towns, Woodside, New York. This watch was likely bought directly from the factory, because, according to my mother, if there were any sort of imperfections, it was sold at a discounted price. I believe my great gtandfather bought this from the factory because of the $45.00 price written on the outer box. This is more than likely the discounted price because new ones were advertised for 55 dollars.
The pointed hands also indicate a factory imprefection (possibly an assembly line mistake?), because they're different from any of the others I've seen on the Squadron. It's unlikely these were an older replacement because this watch hasn't been used in over 50 years.
It's running strong, and is on my wrist as I type. I couldn't be more pleased to wear this goregous work of art.
(A freaky coincidence: my mother purchased a watch for me off of ebay because she knew I'd admired ones with copper faces. When I showed her this watch, she ran to her bedroom and produced an identical one. However, her's was a 1947 squadron with straight hands. She kept the one she bought, and I have my grandfather's!)
If my theory about the factory imperfection is incorrent, please let me know.
Also, can anybody spot a date code on the movement? I don't see one.
In reply to Squadron "B" like this by jabs
In reply to Squadron "B" like this by jabs
What a truely wonderful story! Thank you for sharing. The watch looks in geat condition and you are very lucky to have such a wonderful heirloom.
Its the first time I've heard of factory seconds, it could be possibe, but at the same time it would have been a fairly easy and quick fix to put the correct hands on.
Perhaps someone else here has heard of Bulova selling factory seconds.
Either way you have a wonderful 1945 Bulova Squadron, that you have a deep connection with.
This is the best type of Bulova watch IMO (old or new), one that you can connect with.
In reply to In My Opinion 45 Squadron by JP
In reply to Is there a photo of the by 1955mercury
Welcome to myBulova RunningOutOfTime. I'm a big fan of heirloom watches so this one of wonderful! I rather doubt that the factory made production errors like you speak of, It just seems unlikely to me but I could be wrong. It would not surprise me that Bulova sold discounted watches from their factory stores but I bet they were first run. I wouldn't worry too much about the hands being different, there are any number of rational explanations for the difference.
It is a Squadron model, I'll send you my email address and you can send me the movement photo, I can add it.