Bulova 1946 Thelma

Submitted by zspoppa on December 24, 2015 - 1:22am
Manufacture Year
1946
Movement Model
6AH
Movement Date Code
Square
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
G080199
Case shape
Square
Case color
Rose
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
approx 11mm x 11mm
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

Here is my Grandmother Eva's Bulova watch, recently found when my Mother began to clean out her former house.  We believe it was purchased in the 1940's, or possibly the 30's.  The movement date code (a square) seems to place it in 1936, but that is somewhat at odds with Internet comments regarding case codes, which indicate that 1st-character letters were not common until the 1940's.

From browsing the watches listed on MyBulova, I find it most similar to:
- 1942 Goddess of Time
- a watch listed as "Bulova 1943 - Unknown", but identified in a post by one of the Admin's as a model called the "Joy".  [Grandma's has a similar 'rose gold' color, and similar hands and dial markings]

I do not know the vocabulary of case shapes, as offered in the MyBulova form's dropdown. I would call it 'square', but I welcome the correction of experts :-)

Here are the details I've gathered that may be confirmed by inspecting the pictures:

Dial signatures:
- BULOVA
- SWISS
 
Movement markings: 
- Unadjusted 
- 17 Seventeen Jewels 
- Swiss
- ◻️ (square date code symbol)
- 6AH (movement model, in rectangular border)
- Bulova Watch Co. 
- BXW
 
Inside case markings:
- Bulova
- 14k Rolled Gold Plate Bezel 
- Stainless Back
- New York
 
Outside case markings:
- Bulova 
- G080199
 
Strap clasp markings
- 1/20 - 12k
- B - 3
 
The crown is NOT marked.
 
Your help in identifying this small piece of our family history is much appreciated!

 

1946 Bulova 'Thelma' Ladies' Watch
1946 Bulova watch
1946 Bulova watch
1946 Bulova watch
1946 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Geoff Baker
Posted December 25, 2015 - 8:20am

Hello zspoppa, welcome to myBulova. I think it's wonderful that you have this little treasure from your grandmother. I'm a big fan of family heirlooms and watches are among the best as they are so personal. If you plan to wear or use this little beauty, please have it cleaned and serviced by a professional watchmaker.

It is the Thelma model from 1946. Bulova used some of their date codes twice, this being one of them. We date your watch to 1946 by the case style and the advert.

jabs
Posted December 25, 2015 - 11:12am

Thelma it is

Andersok
Posted December 25, 2015 - 4:54pm

+1

William Smith
Posted December 26, 2015 - 12:19am

Very distinct look.  Thelma from me!

zspoppa
Posted December 26, 2015 - 12:22pm

Thank you all for the quick responses, helpful info (the advert nails it for me), and kind encouragement.  

Fun fact: by coincidence, my aunt (Mom's brother's wife) is named ... Thelma!

Thanks also for updating the listing title with the proper year.  

Can a panel member please tell me how to edit the watch listing, to change 'Unknown' to 'Thelma'?