Bulova 1939 President

Submitted by Ameroo50 on September 22, 2011 - 5:55am
Manufacture Year
1939
Movement Model
7AP
Movement Date Code
48 (A8)
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
8581925
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
25mm x 15mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

My grandfather passed away last month and left this watch to me.  I believe he told me he was given the watch prior to WWII.  From the research I've done on this site I believe it may be  a President from around 1940.  Any thoughts?  Update 23 Sept 2011: I'm now thinking it is a 1939 case with a 1948 movement? Case measurement: 45mm x 20mm

President 1939
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
plainsmen
Posted September 23, 2011 - 10:09pm

In reply to by bourg01

I absolutely agree.  I have 5 mid-30's known Bulova's marked on the outside only.  Cases as notable as the 1935 Ambassador. 

I'm telling you... over the last several months I'm more and more convinced that this Keystone company or whatever made original Bulova cases FOR Bulova's line in the mid 1930's.

OldTicker
Posted September 23, 2011 - 10:19pm

In reply to by plainsmen

I am tending to agree with you Jerin,

See my post below...(beat you by a few minutes!) ; )

plainsmen
Posted September 23, 2011 - 10:21pm

In reply to by OldTicker

Yeah I posted that in a post a few days ago.. on my Lone Eagle IV case from the mid 1930's which I'm absolutely starting to believe is legit.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 23, 2011 - 10:41pm

In reply to by plainsmen

bullshyte boys, Keystone Cases are Jeweler replacements.

Bulova manufactured their own Cases and hallmarked them.

Don't feel bad, I own a couple - they were much cheaper than buying a new Watch back in the Day....and some are still available.

If the inner caseback is not stamped Bulova then it's not a Bulova, Christ We'd have every 'FRANKENBULLY' in the Universe in the database.

OldTicker
Posted September 23, 2011 - 10:48pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

Mark,

How did we determine that the (shield) mark on the case is a Keystone trademark?

I will post the info I have on the Keystone Watch Case Co. in a new form shortly, and I can find no trademark from them that looks like the one on the subject watch.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 23, 2011 - 10:58pm

In reply to by OldTicker

We had a clear shot of one Greg that looked like a Keystone.

Keystone or not it's still not Bulova.

IMO

plainsmen
Posted September 24, 2011 - 12:14am

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

It would be good to get some proof.  You know.... aside from the unshakable faith of the 1st Church of Mark  : )

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 24, 2011 - 6:51am

In reply to by plainsmen

I agree Jerin and that works in opposite, because You 'think' it could doesn't mean it is.

Have You noticed how nice all of these Cases are compared to their (used) 1930's counterparts? It's because they were most likely changed in the 1950's onward which would make them at least 20 Years younger than the originals.

My faith says Bulova Cases are stamped Bulova inside and I'm sticking with that notion until someone proves otherwise.

* and this is why a clean shot of the inner Caseback should be mandatory to the database, replacement Cases are out there.

In looking I've noticed several members dodging the inner caseback picture when a majority of their Watches show it. Any Watch not showing the Bulova hallmark inside the Caseback will not attain a 3 star confirmed ID from Me....but, that's just Me.

Pass the plate bud.

TdH
Posted September 23, 2011 - 3:55pm

The dial is not centered : it is a bit too high and to the right. It does look more like a 1930s dial rather than a 1940s one.

I don't see any cases decorated with engraving in 1948. It is more of a 1920-30s fashion. 

I would suggest that the dial and case are from the 1930s and that the movement is from 1948. 21 jewels was not uncommon that year. This could perhaps explain why the dial is off center.  

OldTicker
Posted September 24, 2011 - 1:20am

Sorry, I can't give this watch a 3 Star rating.

1. Movement date and bezel era do not jive.

2. Case is not stamped Bulova inside like others of this era, but I am starting to get the feeling that Bulova may have contracted someone to make cases for them or simply changed the way they marked them in the late 30's because many of the late 30's watches entered here lately have the same case markings and traits as this one.

3. While I do feel this bezel matches the President ad's from the late 1930's, and the movement is definitaly a Bulova with the '48 stamp, can you really call it a 1939 President and give it 3 stars?? or call it a 1948 President and give it 3 stars?? To me a 100% 3 star Bulova should have a movement and case that are within 2 years of each other.

 Our database would make your head swim with the watches listed from 1937-1940 that are called a "President"...there are 6 listed for that era and only 3 look alike, and many of them have little or no info or pictures to back them up...Time to clean this up, because all this causes is confusion.

A watch like this as nice as it is really is not a 1939 President nor is it a 1948 President, it is a Frankenbully or an Unknown, and belongs in another catagory.

No offence Ameroo50, it is a nice looking watch and very valuable, but not a 100% 1939 Bulova President.

Greg