After seeing the 1944 Montgomery Ward ad listed on this site, I've decided to change the model from Aviator to Cadet. This is the most conclusive proof I've seen as to which model this is. Thanks to Jerin for providing the ad and Stephen for posting it. NOTE: The dial on this watch has been refinished and the numbers on the sub dial were left off by the refinishing CO. This seems to have added to the confusion as to the model of the watch. Confirmed with 1944 Montgomery Ward ad
In reply to Hi all, Happy to see this by sausgirl
Hi all, Well I got a voice mail from Bulova today about the mystery watch. Basicaly all they can tell by the pictures I sent them is the watch was made in 1945. So I guess if you call it an Aviator or a Bruce your right either way! Unless someone can show me a 1945 ad identifying it as something else I'm going to call it an Aviator. I kind of like that Avaitor / Cadet range idea:) I thank everyone for their input.
Bob
Hi All, Here again, Bulova has everyone guessing, the 1st pics surely show a triangle for date so it's either 1935 or 1945 if the movement is original. I'm not to sure about a 17J 10BC being produced in 1935. This is anybody's best guess but I generally try to identify a case style and then match the date code on the movement. If this case wasn't around in 1935, which I can't seem to find, then I'd date it 1945, and despite the dial layout, I think it would be a "Bruce" base on those we've seen in ads. Regards Shawn
OH... FUN ONE! I was lOOking at these several months ago... The dial variants are indeed the difference, amonst the several models. (Along with varied movements and different gold color and content case options, of course...) Hereafter are several that look very similar:
The Bruce, Cadet and (Rose Gold Filled) Lieutenant. (And possibly also the Maxim and/or Roderick, that take the same crystals, as does the 40s Walton 7J model...)
And definitely '45. The Bruce was a '45 or '46 release... The Cadet was 1948, I believe? ('48- 54?) And This case style was introduced in 1941, apparently as the "Lieutenant?" And likely ceased production, with the Cadet, in 1954???
ON 2ND THOUGHT... I SUSPECT SOMEONE USED THE "DATE SYMBOL" TO MISDATE THE "54" BLACK DIAL CADET I ID'd... BY TEN YEARS? WHY THE HECK WOULD BULOVA HAVE CALLED A "54" DESIGN, A WWII ERA NAME?? AND... WHY USED A 40S STYLE, CASE... IN '54??? MAKES NO SENSE, TO ME!?!?
BEST :-) Scott
In reply to OH... FUN ONE! I was lOOking by WatchCrystals.net
The case and dial and this 1946 ad indicate that Bob's watch is a Cambridge. Below is a pic of my 1952 Cambridge. The dial with the 1-12 and the engraved bezel are key to the name Cambridge.
The smooth bezel with the 1-12 dial is key to the Liutenant pictured 1 & 2 of Scott the 1st comment above. We need a name for the smooth bezel 2-4-8-12 dial above. That could be the mysterious Aviator! Any body have an ad for Aviator?
In reply to Wayne, Im confused is the the by Bob Bruno
In reply to Ahh, gotta love variety! by Stephen Ollman
In reply to Stephen What are the by Wayne Hanley
One thing that stands out to me (in comparing it to the pic of my watch on the 1st page of this thread) is the Cambridge ad states 15 jewels, my watch is 17 jewels. Also my watch has the original expanding wrist band on it which is different that the one pictured in the Cambridge ad (which kind of looks like a Ladies wrist band). Other than that the face and case are styled exactly the same.
I thought Bob and I had the exact same watch. Perhaps with all of these very slight variations Bulova put out maybe we have different models.
Rick
In reply to One thing that stands out to by rsmith
All four of the ads we have on this shape case show 15j. It is possible that movement has been changed thru the years or the original buyer insisted on 17 jewels. Bracelets break & are replaced with whatever the owner thinks looks good. These mechanisms are as much as 70 years old.
Source Data On-Site Ads
There are two cases for this shape watch, the engraved and plain bezel in three fill color variations.
The engraved bezel case is shown in the 1944 ad for the Bruce with a 3-9-12 dial & numbered seconds bit.
The plain bezel is shown in a 1946 ad for the Lieutenant with a 1-12 dial & numbered seconds bit.
The engraved bezel Cambridge is also shown in a 1946 ad. Same engraved case as the Bruce, but with a 1-12 dial & no numbers in the seconds bit.
Also an engraved case in 1948 ad for the Cadet. The Cadet is the same engraved case and 3-9-12 dial shown in the Bruce ad of 1944. Effectively replacing the Bruce with the Cadet.
Not shown in any ad on-site - Picture of the Lieutant style plain bezel case with a 2-4-8-12 dial & numbers in the seconds bit.
Not shown in any ad on-site - Picture of a Cadet style engraved case & no numbers seconds bit.
From auction seller descriptions, the ads available, pictures & comments by our members, there is much confusion in naming these models.
For discussion purposes I recommend we use simple terminology such as; Lieutenant for the plain bezel and Cadet for the engraved bezel. Or simpler yet, Cadet style case for all the variations.
For historical purposes in our data base, strive to name the model as close as possible by year according to the source data we have access to on the site.
The Devil is in the Details
Wayne