This watch belonged to my father, who died in 1996. He usually just referred to it as "his army watch" that he had during WWII. He was company commander (Captain), Company C, 116th Infantry, 1st Battalion, 29th Division and landed on Omaha Beach (as Exec. Officer), participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and the push into Germany.
Members of myBulova helped me identify it as a 1944 Military modek, 10 AK movement, type OF. It looks very much like the 1943 Military Issue, Type AK on the website, BUT the hands are differrent.
Many thanks to myBulova for helping me with the identification
In reply to A wonderful timepiece with by mybulova_admin
thank you for the comment
I am inclined to keep it as it is - cracks, dirt and wear - its patina. It does have a story - very visibile - and I think cleaning it all up sort of erases that story.
I do know that in the world of antique furniture, cleaning up a piece, refinishing, erasing the patina is considered a no-no, and decreases the value.
In reply to thank you for the comment I by BobB138
That's a good point Bob. In the world of collector cars on the other hand....I restore some of my watches and keep others just the way they are. My thoughts on this are, treasure it, don't change a thing. I like the way you put it - "it does have a story". I'm a student of history, the stories of the second world war fascinate me. I would love sit out on the back porch with a bottle of single malt and listen to all the stories this watch could tell.
Thanks again for sharing it.
In reply to That's a good point Bob. In by Geoff Baker
" In the world of collector cars on the other hand.."
Interestingly, there have been some recent articles on the increasing value of "unrestored" cars. The New York Times had an article about this: "A similar reverence for original finishes and the patina of time is developing among collectors of classic cars, an appreciation for automobiles that have been well preserved through the years rather than restored to showroom (or better) condition."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/automobiles/collectibles/19RESTO.html
Anyway, I am really only the caretaker of the watch; my brother and sister will probably get it at some point, as we have no children.
Thumbs up on the single malt!
In reply to thank you for the comment I by BobB138
Getting the movt serviced would in no way affect its value, and would protect it and preserve it. I always strongly recommend a full CTR from a certfied watchmaker, especially if you intend to wind it. Dry and/or dirty movts will damage themselves through running, much like a car engine, to use my favourite analogy.
Fabulous heirloom!
Just returned from the jeweler. He happened to have the exact size wrench needed to remove back.
Took photos of movement, inside of case back and inside of inner case back.
Only markings are "BULOVA WATCH Co. U.S.A.", "F S", "10AK", and " 15 JEWELS". And the watch still works! I asked about cleaning and he strongly advised against it. "This is an historical watch - don't clean it"
Just realized "how do I post more photos?"
In reply to Just returned from the by BobB138
Hopefully your watch maker was recommending not cleaning the case/dial. I doubt he was referring to having the movement serviced. If you are going to run the watch, not servicing the movement will quickly ruin the works. If your going to enjoy it without running it, then his advise is sound.
In reply to Hopefully your watch maker by William Smith
Great photos Bob. Based on the movement photo I've updated the year to 1944. Under the "W" in Bulova Watch Co you'll note a small circle which designates the year of manufacture to 1944. While your father may have been in service before that it is most likely he received this watch in 1944, perhaps prior to the landing. Regarding adding more photos, you can add one more in the root record where is says "Supporting Advert" or you may add additional in ones of these comment boxes, the tutorial is on this page, at the very top, under the search box:
PS - I wonder if you seen this website? - I read a fascinating account of C Company here:
http://www.29infantrydivision.org/
In reply to Great photos Bob. Based on by Geoff Baker
Did not even see/notice that little "O"! Thank you for identifying the watch.
Also thanks for the link. There are a number of sites on the 29th. FYI Because the 29th was based on combining the National Guard units of PA, MD and VA (hence the name "the Blue and Gray") there is a also a lot of info on the sites of those National Guards. The 116th was also known as the "Stonewall Brigade". Most of the soldiers in my father's battalion were from Virginia. A few years ago, someone transcribed and input into Excel all the "Morning Reports" for all the 116th units, so I can trace my father's actions throughout the war. He is also listed in the company narrative on the plaque at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA.; he led the first assault team from the beach into, and liberating, Vierville-sur-Mer.