Bulova 1950 Berkshire

Submitted by FifthAvenueRes… on April 14, 2011 - 10:08pm
Manufacture Year
1950
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
Unknown
Case shape
Round
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Lady Berkshire also shown.

Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
shooter144
Posted April 15, 2011 - 11:56am

The pics Lisa posted are dated, I think, at 1955 (hand written), could be they enameled the relief sections of the bezel between '50 and '55, would look very cool that way...

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted April 26, 2011 - 8:05pm

..could be an enameled bezel, which would be a design change. which could mean a model name change?

'BERKSHIRE' and 'AIR KING' in 1955 - I'm not so sure about 1950, a LOT can happen with Bulova over 5 years.

Elgin Doug
Posted April 26, 2011 - 9:33pm

I've seen both the white and black dial versions with yellow bezel, but not a black bezel version.  Has anyone ever seen one?

But also note that the enameled bezels on Elgin Clubmen -

are often lacking their enamel, or have been repainted, as this one was.  I don't know how many watchmakers clean cases in ultrasonic machines, but that would strip the enamel right off.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted April 26, 2011 - 9:44pm

Interesting, so it is possible the 1955 Watches shown in the images from Bulova files have Black enameled Bezels as the Elgin (coughs) 'CLUBMAN' shown above and is not shadowing as suggested.

Thanks Doug!

Elgin Doug
Posted April 26, 2011 - 9:51pm

As we would say in my business, the data suggest it is possible, but do not indicate that it is so.

Gee, I hope I haven't offended anyone, posting an Elgin....

mybulova_admin
Posted April 26, 2011 - 9:58pm

I'm not so sure as the enamel needs to sit in a container, ie needs to have borders to sit in and from what I understand is heated and melts to a liquid state before setting hard. I don't think the bezels on the Berkshires have a outer ridge to hold the enamel. I could be wrong. An education in enameling welcome if my understanding is incorrect.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted April 26, 2011 - 10:11pm

I'm sure admin doesn't mind the 'e' word being used in this instance.

It had been noted in a prior thread that Watch Companys copied each others designs , so the elgin reference is valid IMO.

Stephen, enameling is beyond My scope but this bezel may have the outer ring You suggest.

OldTicker
Posted April 26, 2011 - 10:13pm

I believe Admin is right about "Enameling" It needs to have someplace to sit before it is baked on and is a few mills thick, not like enamel paint.

Elgin Doug
Posted April 26, 2011 - 10:15pm

When I say 'enameled', in this context, it's more appropriately called 'painted'.  The Clubman's 'enamelling' is really just paint in the recesses.  It's not the kind of enamelling done in cloisonne, I believe.

Looking at the Berkshire, I do not see a sharp edge that would probably be necessary to properly paint the bezel, with the kind of defined edge you'd need.  The other thing is that if it were painted, given the shape of the bezel, it would be very vulnerable to wear.

That, I think, argues against it.  OTOH, the pictures don't look like gold bezels, they look black. Indeed, they seem to not only be black, but with a bright rim.

This is odd, because as Admin mentioned, there's no obvious such rim on the watches themselves.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted April 26, 2011 - 10:23pm

I agree, the Bezels of the 1955  'BERKSHIRE' and 'AIR KING' appear Black.