Bulova 1945 Cadet

Submitted by Bob Bruno on March 22, 2010 - 12:13pm
Manufacture Year
1945
Movement Model
10BC
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
5293019
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

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

 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bob Bruno
Posted September 26, 2010 - 11:50pm

Rick, good job! that watch is just like ours! Same movement as ours, same dial as ours,15 jewels like mine. So if all three of these watches are Aviators then the difference between the two listed on this sight are wrong or maybe there different because they are listed as Aviator-A  .

So here's where I think we are. My watch is a 1945 yours is a 1949. Now all we have to find out is what model they are. Cadet, Bruce, or Aviator.  Now I'm leaning toward Aviator. What do you think ?  Waiting to hear your opinion.  You too Stephen and G J.

Bob

rsmith
Posted September 27, 2010 - 8:43am

In reply to by Bob Bruno

One difference I see between the ebay watch and mine (apart from the number of jewels in the movement) is that the ebay one has "Bulova 10K Rolled Gold Plate..." stamped on the inside of the case backing. I looked at mine when the jeweler had it apart and it is blank.

Wayne Hanley
Posted October 2, 2010 - 8:06pm

This is an interesting conversation Gents. The way I saw this discussion come to a dead still, was to call the watch an Aviator. I would like to have some proof of the origin of the Aviator from some kind of Bulova record, in order to validate the subject watch as an Aviator. Does anyone know  the origin of the Aviator. Using the ads I cannot come up with a readable text that names any watch an Aviator. There are a couple of ads I would like you to consider.  Take a look at 1941 AD 3. "Bulova Official Timepiece of American Airlines-Coast to Coast. Above the previous text there are three barrell shaped watches. I think the middle watch is pretty close to the "Cadet Shape" (Sellers on the eBay seem to call any watch of this shape a Cadet). I cannot read the text on the ad for the individual watches, but I have the urge to call this watch an Aviator. It looks to me me to be unengraved in the ad.  In 1944 Ad 1 introduces the "Bruce" at the rediculous price of $39.75. The Bruce is never again seen in ads. In 1945 when the troops including my Dad were comming home from WWII, Bulova introduced the Lieutenant at $24.95 in an unengraved case. Immediately to the right of the Lieutenant in the ad is what I believe to be the engraved Bruce case re-named the "Cadet" at $25.95.  So from then on, everyone mixes up the names because it's the same case but one is unegraved and one is engraved. I don't want to get into the dials yet. Just my humble opinion. An Aviator Ad would sure change my mind.

Bob Bruno
Posted October 3, 2010 - 12:15am

Wayne, That was a very well thought out argument against calling the watch an Aviator. I think what convinced me to call it An Aviator was seeing the Ebay closed auction that Rick Smith posted in the comment section . That watch is identical to Rick's and mine. The seller called it an Aviator and with out any solid proof of a different name, I went with it. I guess I thought it would be better than listing it as unknown. As stated I would be more than willing to change it if I could get a definitive answer to the name of this watch. I have a hunch Bulova had an abundance of this case before WWII. Then when the war was over they used them up. Changing number styles and dials. Thus we have the Bruce, Cadet and The Aviator. I agree with you about seeing an Aviator ad. So I guess the hunt continues.

Thanks for your input

Bob

Wayne Hanley
Posted October 3, 2010 - 1:54am

In reply to by Bob Bruno

Great attitude Bob & a good topic.  I have a 1951 10BC with a 2-4-8-12 dial & a 1952 10BT 1-12 dial, both of the same style engraved case.  The 1951 10BC case is marked L1 on the outside caseback below the serial number, while the 1952 10BT only has case serial number on outside caseback. So the inconsistency continues to drive people nuts. Bulova was consistent with naming the case (with a few subtle name changes through the years) but named the dials in secret code like A B C NN & XX.  I doubt that anyone has an accurate list of dial codes. Let's keep it going we may learn something.

Wayne

Bob Bruno
Posted October 3, 2010 - 10:37am

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

Wayne, and everyone else. I am sending pictures and asking Bulova's case and bracelet dept. for information on the watch. Not expecting much as there websight says they have limited information on pre 1960 watches. Have to send it by snail mail so this could take awhile.

Bob

Wayne Hanley
Posted October 4, 2010 - 7:37pm

1942 Vintage Mens BULOVA 'Cadet' 10k Gold Deco Watch  Check this out! eBay Item Number 2805635072 . Auction high bid $252.15. This seller dates the watch at 1942, but doesn't tell us what the date symbol is. Also calls this unengraved watch "Aviator/Cadet Range."
 

Wayne

rsmith
Posted October 4, 2010 - 9:05pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

There is a "T" shaped symbol on the right side of the picture of the movement on his Ebay ad. That would be 1942 or 1932 according to the date chart.

Rick

Bob Bruno
Posted October 4, 2010 - 10:32pm

Cadet / Aviator range huh! Very interesting. I'm starting to think nobody knows for sure what to call this model. I saw the T too Rick. Nice catch.

Bob

 

sausgirl
Posted October 11, 2010 - 10:26am

Hi all,

Happy to see this thread.My son also has this watch.The case is identicle to Rick's and the movement is a 1947 10BC.

I will pass it on to him.Thanks.

Jan