Bulova 1922 Pocket Watch

Submitted by Mugenlude on October 4, 2013 - 12:02pm
Manufacture Year
1922
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
1200064
Case Serial No.
4678761
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Star
Crystal details
1.5"
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I don't seem to be able to find the manufacture date based on the information on the website.  Watch runs and keeps time (2m4s off after one day)

Bulova watch
1922 Bulova watch
1922 Bulova watch
1922 Bulova watch
1922 Bulova watch
Reverend Rob
Posted October 4, 2013 - 12:42pm

Wow. 

Gonna be hard to pin this one down. Star Case, and a 17''' movt, a 17A, perhaps?

The keyless works would be the way to identify it, if you can get a shot of the top of the movt, under the dial.

I would strongly recommend not running the watch unless you can get it fully overhauled. A dirty and/or dry watch can destroy itself. In a watch of this age, any and all avoidable wear should be minimized. A watchmaker who specializes in old and vintage watches is the way to go. 

Mugenlude
Posted October 4, 2013 - 1:30pm

Thanks for the comments Reverend Rob, I'll refrain from winding the movement until I can get it overhauled to prevent any damage...

If I could get some direction on how to removed the movement I would be happy to photograph the other side of the movement.

This is the image of the 17A I was able to find, doesn't match my movement.  http://www.keepthetime.com/images/05-12/pocketwatch_bulova_55650_17a_sw…

Mugenlude
Posted October 4, 2013 - 4:45pm

am I correct in thinking that the bezel should screw off the front this case, then I would take the movement out by removing the screw at 7 o'clock position (and typically at 1o'clock position, but it's missing)?

Reverend Rob
Posted October 4, 2013 - 6:08pm

In reply to by Mugenlude

That's correct. You will also need to release the stem and crown with the small screw near the stem. I'm having a hard time seeing the detail from the photo, but the dial feet may be protruding through the top plate, held in place usually by an eccentric screw, but here there seems to be something different?

If not, then there will be two screws visible from the side of the movt, that hold the dial feet. The hands would have to pulled first. You might want to get a watchmaker to do this, but if you have done it before, just make sure you have a piece of plastic film to protect the dial when using a hand puller. 

Under the dial may be a mark or two, but the keyless works may give us a clue. Once the movt is out, confirm the 17''' size with a ruler, it should be 38.35mm approx. 

Now, all this may only identify the movt, and we are no closer to identifying the model, but perhaps it would give some clue as to the date. 

mybulova_admin
Posted October 5, 2013 - 12:45am

Movement is the same as the 1923 one I added 2 weeks ago. The front and back case screw off and the dial feet are held on by half turn screws on the movement plate. Another great early pocket watch. Interesting to see if this is a true early Bulova. Great looking.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 16, 2013 - 2:09am

This is almost identical to this watch which would suggest that it was actually released in this arrangement and not with a replaced case/dial.

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1922-pocket-watch-6056

If there are no objections I'd like to place this one into the generic Pocket Watch category, until such time (if ever) we can prove one way or another that it is or isn't a true Bulova release.

stoddrob
Posted October 16, 2013 - 2:49am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

For whatever it's worth....the dial and case are exactly the same as mine at the link above from Admin. The case is hinged in the back and the bezel "pops-off" and DOES NOT unscrew. You will find the place to remove around the edge....probably around 1:30. It's easy to detect and differentiate from a screw-on bezel and will usually pop-off or come off with a thumbnail. 

These two watches are the same. I doubt they were "customized" as Rev Rob suggests. Much earlier watches were sold as Rev Rob describes....my EJ Dent from 1852 was such....but I doubt Bulova sold anything but a finished and cased pocket watch. They ordered these high-quality dials out of Switzerland and later started placing orders to have thier brand name included. Its not the first time I've seen a Pre-1925 Bulova pocket watch without their name on the dial. 

 

William Smith
Posted October 14, 2014 - 7:07am

Again, movement model listed as 17, but it has no such marking.  Rev Rob noted it could be a 17"', perhaps a 17A.  Did we get confirmation on movement measurements?

Mugenlude
Posted October 14, 2014 - 5:10pm

In reply to by William Smith

It got put back in the drawer, so I never got around to taking it to a jewerly (I don't have tools to get face off of it).  If you want me to measure something on the back I can do so, but taking the hands off is somethign I'm not familiar with doing.

bobbee
Posted October 14, 2014 - 4:41pm

Looks familiar with that click and click spring, and of course the Reed 'whiplash' regulator which early Hudson Maxim, Phantom and others used. It was used on some railroad watches too.