Bulova 1931 Round the World

Submitted by Geoff Baker on January 25, 2013 - 8:45pm
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
10AL
Movement Date Code
Square Shield
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
960071
Case Serial No.
1228053
Case shape
Square
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
20.5X19.8
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Wonderfully restored 1931 Bulova 'Round the World'. Jan 11, 1927 Bulova Quality case unmarked for content found in lovely condition. Movement bears both Omega and Square Shield indicating a factory repurposed 1930 power plant. Period Speid-Fold bracelet makes it the complete package. (Speid-Fold? hmm, is it possible that was a precursor to Speidel?)

Added 1/25/2013  -  Name update from Fleetwood to Round the World 2/7/2013  -  Photos of presentation case added 12/11/2019 - Photos Updated 5/17/2023

Geoffrey Baker 1931 Bulova Round the World 1 5 17 2023
Geoffrey Baker 1931 Bulova Round the World 2 5 17 2023
Geoffrey Baker 1931 Bulova Round the World 3 5 17 2023
Geoffrey Baker 1931 Bulova Round the World 4 5 17 2023
1931 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
mybulova_admin
Posted January 25, 2013 - 9:50pm

Now this one is a little trickier....

Yes it has 15 jewels and yes it has the two-tone case....Do we have an advert for a two-tone Ambassador. My belief is that the Ambassadors were single tone, white gold only.

Fleetwood case is a match but was advertised with a 17J movement...still we know movements can be replaced.

So unless we have an advert showing or describing a two-tone Ambassador my ID is for a Fleetwood with replacement movement.

William Smith
Posted January 27, 2013 - 4:00am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Remember the two rows of horizontal engravings vs the one row...and the size of the rectangular gold areas on horizontals vs more square-ish. 

JP
Posted January 25, 2013 - 10:00pm

Don't know what it is but it is sure a real beauty Geoff. Is that refinished dial and hands the work of International?

John

Geoff Baker
Posted January 25, 2013 - 10:04pm

In reply to by JP

Yes, it is. Those dudes, owe me a steak dinner, all the business I've given them over the years.....

Geoff Baker
Posted December 11, 2019 - 10:22pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Just  got the presentation case - That took long enough.....find of the decade!

Geoff Baker
Posted January 25, 2013 - 10:03pm

About that ID - we argued a similar watch 6-7 months ago. I voted Fleetwood, but alas, someone published it as the Ambassador.......

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1931-ambassador-4923?page=2

"Factory repurposed 1930 movement", I think it's original to the case. What does it all mean Mr. Peabody?

mybulova_admin
Posted January 25, 2013 - 10:17pm

I think we got it wrong.

Unless someone can show me a two-tone advert that lists this as an Ambassador.

The other adverts we have show other two-tone models and describes them as such....the Ambassador adverts show only a white gold version with no two-tone description.

mybulova_admin
Posted January 25, 2013 - 10:57pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I also note another two-tone watch currently for sale on the bay that also only has 15J and has a 1931 case. Interesting.....

William Smith
Posted January 27, 2013 - 4:15am

Short of the ad not stating two tone, the other attributes match the Ambassador ad (including jewels), but not that of the Fleetwood. 
I'm good with unknown for this and the other record, but sure wouldn't vote for Fleetwood just because they are both two tone.  They would sorta have to look like a Fleetwood too :)

Another nice one Geoff, what ever it is!  You've been busy.

mybulova_admin
Posted January 27, 2013 - 6:20am

Guys what am I missing here. I seem to be the only one thinking that its a Fleetwood, based on the two-tone aspect. The only difference in case design I can see is the two-tone. Yes both are different from the subject watch in that there in no aditional engraving on the top and bottom, but both ads don't have it, so how can it be one and not the other.

Bulova Fleetwood and Bulova Ambassador

The only other difference is the jewel count which may have an explaination, but based on the case design alone its either a Fleetwood or an Unknown. It simply cannot be an Ambassador.