Bulova 1938 -Unknown

Submitted by William Smith on August 5, 2012 - 6:54pm
Manufacture Year
1938
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Cresent Moon
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
8794903
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Yellow
Crystal details
unknown
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case Back: 8794903   B-10K Rolled Gold Plate
Inside Case Back: Bulova Fifth Ave  New York
Movement: 10AB 15 jewel Adj Bulova Watch Co. U.S.A. (crescent moon date symbol 1938)
Dial: raised gold gilt Arabic numerals,  Bulova,  outer black printed minute track, gold hands, sub-second partially obscuring the 6

EDIT  Changed from incorrect typo of 10AB to correct 10AE

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
bobbee
Posted August 6, 2012 - 12:49pm

I meant the dial. No engraved Bankers in DB, ads or otherwise, I've been through the lot, 1934 up to 1946. Ranger closer than Banker, Banker in your last ad had 17 jewels. Not Banker.

Will, what are crystal dimensions? Looks a little longer than the Bankers in watch DB.

plainsmen
Posted August 6, 2012 - 1:55pm

there are nobengraved bankers. its mark making shit up again. sorry again mark. epic fail.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 7, 2012 - 9:13am

"No engraved Bankers in DB, ads or otherwise, I've been through the lot"

True bobbee, but until recently We had not seen an engraved 'MINUTE MAN'.

The 'MINUTE MAN' and the 'AMERICAN CLIPPER' of the same era both have engraved and plain bezel variants.

The subject Watch matches the 'BANKER' on all points, except the engraving.

Crystal specs would be stellar.....

 

*edit -  'RITE ANGLE', 'TREASURER' and 'BRETON' of the era (mid-late 1930's) are also seen with engraved and non engraved bezels.

bobbee
Posted August 7, 2012 - 1:15pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

If all the above are seen with engraved and unengraved, except the Banker, what is the reason? Answer- there is no such watch, unless you have proof?

plainsmen
Posted August 7, 2012 - 1:26pm

In reply to by bobbee

Because the engraved version of this watch is the ranger or the chief depending on the year.

William Smith
Posted August 7, 2012 - 1:28pm

In reply to by bobbee

I think it took "years" for some of the engraved versions to show up (or the non-engraved to show up) and be accepted as a tentative ID.  ...or it took a while for an ad to show up indicating engraved/non-engraved), which may change a tentative to a confirmed.  This is one of those "we haven't seen it (the ad) but if it follows the pattern of other similar watches, it may be out there".  It's worth noting, but I would go w/ unknown and just note the possibility...as we have done in the comments.

Reverend Rob
Posted August 6, 2012 - 2:51pm

10AB and 10AE are the same movt., an FHF 324. Stamped differently by Bulova, but from the same ebauche. Minor differences between them, possibly hairspring shape being one of them, also sweep or sub second, and jewel counts. First used 'AB' prior to 1925, while the 'AX' dates to 1942. 

Also used for 10AM, 10AN, 10ANC, 10AW, 10AX, 10AXCS

bobbee
Posted August 7, 2012 - 1:42pm

Agree with "Unknown", although the pre 1940 Bankers have gold casebacks, and the post 1940 have S/S, would it not follow that pre 1940 Rangers would also have gold casebacks, as the post1940 have S/S?

William Smith
Posted August 8, 2012 - 12:20am

In reply to by bobbee

I would say that "pattern" makes sense Bobbee...we see several go from gold back to white around 1940/41.  Although for subject watch we don't know if it fits this pattern..

William Smith
Posted August 7, 2012 - 2:14pm

Watches in database:
The engraved 1936 "Ranger" listed here looks tonneau  (as does at least one ad)
The non-engraved 1937 "Ranger" here looks tonneau   (as does at least one ad)
The one listed here- the one that started it all for Plains, has 17 jewels
by 1942 we see a different Ranger, entering the Ranger/Lieutenant era

I believe the 1936 Ranger at top of list may be a little wider than subject watch? 

Ads in database: (1941 ad (at bottom) is the match for subject watch???)
1936 non-engraved Ranger ad below. Click graphic for full ad.

1936 B&W non-engraved Ranger ad

1936 tonneau Ranger ad

1937 ad:

Two 1938 ads w/ yet another mount

Then finally...in 1941 ad, a non-tonneau engraved Ranger ad

EDIT- Bobbee actually posted an ad earlier in this thread showing non-tonneau engraved Ranger in 1940 http://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/uploaded_photos/user2196/1940-Sears-Christmas-Book-RANGER.jpg