Bulova 1934 Miss America

Submitted by grampydiddly on August 26, 2014 - 2:58pm
Manufacture Year
1934
Movement Model
4AF
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
7
Movement Serial No.
None
Case Serial No.
581152
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
14mm x 6mm curved rectangle.
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

This is a ladies Bulova I got in a box of older jewelry.  I do not know much about watches.  The closest looking make and model I could find on the site was a 1932 Miss Liberty.  The case is similar and the front of the movement looks similar, but not a match.  This is a 4AF movement which I also couldn't find on the site.  The other marking on the movement is in the corner below the adjustment wheel ( I don't know my terms).  It is a triangle with the number 21 in it.  I am not sure what that means.  The adjustment knob was broken off, but still in with the other jewelry.  I wound the spring slightly using my fingernail, and it did run a little bit.  I am sure it needs cleaning, but appears to be in working order except for the knob.  There are several what I assume are service dates on the inside of the back cover. which are 6-22-57 s and  H-12-34. the H may be an 11 with a scratch across it.  I work on other jewelry so am familiar with looking for markings on items. The case is marked 10K Rolled Gold Plate. The watch band is the original. It was offered as an alternate to the one pictured in the ad.   It is labeled Morays 1/40 12K RGP.  The watch has been sold, but I will leave the information here for reference.

edit Alex: this case signature was used in 1934 only. In line with its movement.

Bulova watch AF4 movement 1934 or earlier
1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
William Smith
Posted August 27, 2014 - 4:05am

In reply to by jabs

I can't see the "two diamonds" in the ad or the subject watch.  Sure looks like the Miss Liberty above.

EDIT: Aha...the Miss Liberty text is for the watch out of sight to the left of snippet Jabs posted above.  Watch pictured is named Miss America out of sight to the right.  Got it.

Miss America from me.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 27, 2014 - 3:53am

Actually Jabs it's a 'Miss America'.

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2014 - 4:20am
1934 Ad snippet below.  Click on any ad to open full source page

1935 ad for Miss America: 

1936 ad for Miss America:

1937 ad:

Listed again here in 1938, but still only pictured as engraved case.
By 1940/41, the Miss America is a completly different model, w/ 17 jewels.

 

jabs
Posted August 27, 2014 - 5:01am

my god advert is found correct only text I took the bad :)

It is Miss America, this is a correct cutout

Geoff Baker
Posted August 27, 2014 - 6:09am

"There she is.....Miss America"

Stephen, Jaroslav, Bobbee (Shawn?) you really need to hear this, it IS one of my enduring memories. Each year, for DECADES the young woman who was crowned "Miss America" received her crown and walked down the runway as Bert Parks serenaded her with this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSm4kp-uJoE

Whenever I see this ID....I hear that song.....

grampydiddly
Posted August 27, 2014 - 12:46pm

That was a quick identification. I was close for not knowing much about watches. This is a great site to help identify them.
I am going to look to see if any of the extra old watchbands is the original. Unlikely, but who knows.
I will post if I find it.

Now it needs a home.

Andersok
Posted August 27, 2014 - 4:53pm

Good find, a very nice Miss America, hope you can locate the original band; does the case s/n make it a 1935?

grampydiddly
Posted December 22, 2014 - 5:58pm

In reply to by Andersok

I noticed that the Miss America comes with the band that is pictured.  It must have been an alternate choice for bands.  I fugured it out when I saw one that sold on eBay.  It had this band and was listed as the original band.  In the one ad where the Miss america is pictured, I noticed several of the watches have the band that is on my watch.  No wonder I couldn't find the other one!