Here's another Bulova Military I've managed to pick up. It's a strange one though. Marked US, 1917-H on the caseback. Inside she's stamped Star Watch Case Co., Stainless Steel, 2380650, 7197108. This I find kind of odd, 2 serial #"s ??. I've dated it 1947 based on the 1st diit of the second serial #. Mark, Your thoughts on this?? Another odd thing is the use of a 15 Jewel 10BM movement that bears no date stamp of any kind.Until now I have never seen a 15J 10BM in any watch I've ever owned. The pristine dial is a NOS military issue that is identicle to the original, original hands and of course a NOS olive drab canvas band to finish. BTW, Have you folks been sleeping? I picked up 2 Rite Angle's last week, both under $60.00.
In reply to admin, I see no evidence of by FifthAvenueRes…
[quote=FifthAvenueRestorations]
admin,
I see no evidence of that within the linked thread, only an opinion. The thread goes on to suggest 1917 was/is Star Watch Case Company's part number for the Case.
Wills' observation of the second 'seriel number' within the Caseback (7197108) being a Military part number leans more toward the Case being a replacement part.
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The ihc185 thread linked to has the "opinion" of a noted expert in the field of military horology, Mr. James E. Delgado. He is held in the highest esteem by other experts in this field of watch collectors, and his opinions are not taken lightly.
Mr. Delgado noted in the linked thread that he believes that the 1917-H post-dates WW2, and also runs concurrent with the ORD. CORPS. watches, which post-dates the ORD. DEPT. watches.
The Ord. Corps. post-date 1950, which is when the Ordnance Department changed its name to the Ordnance Corps.
If it is correct that the 1917-H was concurrent to the ORD. CORPS. watch, which is most likely correct, then a case date that matches the curved case serial number would be a good way to date this watch. 1952.
It is thought by many experts that the 1917-H is a Naval watch, and the ORD. CORPS. is for the Air Force, both general issue watches. These watches are thought to be recased ORD. DEPT. watches, whose poor chrome plate more often than not had worn out.
EDIT:- Mr. Delgado goes on to say that these watches could possibly date to WW2 or later, but the use of these stainless steel passivated cases were definitely not used before 1946, and probably later. The WW2 watches would be in the earlier chrome-plated cases, as noted above.
Gents,
The case meets Mil specs, the dial is NOS military issue (identicle to the original) the hands meet Mil spec so is not logicle that the watch is a Bulova Military. Even if this is a Ord Dept recased WWII movement, dial and hands we do know that all the parts are Military issue. This could be Korean War re-issue ( meaning a earlier WWII movement and dial re-cased by the Military for use beyond WWII). Just a guess but the evidence to date seems to point in that direction. Regardless, the evidence to date still says "Military". It may not be to the Mil Specs of the A11 or A17 or A3818 but we cannot dismiss the posibility that the ORD dept repaired, recased and re-issued watches back into inventory for further use. Perhaps this a US ORD DEPT frankiniltary.
Still a Military in my mind.
I believe the date on this watch should be changed to 1952. The 7198010 is not the case serial number but the US Dept of Defense ordinance order number which was issued in 1951 and was A7198010 as shown in the dial envelope documentation. The watch serial number is 2380650. I have the same watch with the same 7198010 but my serial number is 2389571 which is a spread of 8921 digits. It is possible up to 10K watches may have been produced.
Based on new information I think this should be changed to
1952 Bulova Military Issue US 1917-H