Bulova 1935 -Unknown

Submitted by doridissla on November 6, 2016 - 11:32am
Manufacture Year
1935
Movement Model
unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
8130768
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Minuteman
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Date: unknown, assumed 1920s-1930s.  This watch was owned by a family member, and was recently inherited.  Watch is currently not for sale, the watch is posted for informational photograph purposes only. Best guess on the style is either Minuteman or Marshall. The watch is in working order, and the case is 10 karat gold filled. I would like to know the date and if customizing Bulova watches was a common practice during this time period.

1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
Geoff Baker
Posted November 7, 2016 - 5:38am

Hello doridissla, welcome to myBulova. As a collector I get excited about heirloom watches. I think it wonderful that you have this inherited watch. In terms of the year I'm inclined to 1938 as the serial number starts with an 8. Up until the late forties that was a fairly reliable indicator. If possible we'd like to see the movement as well to see the model and date code. Here's a chart showing the various date codes used

http://www.mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes

Dial customization such as you  have were not terribly uncommon. Some were done by Bulova and others by local jewelers. I think the model is Marshall. Thanks for sharing it.

Here's an advert

http://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/vintage_ads/bulova-ad-1939-…

jabs
Posted November 7, 2016 - 6:29am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Geoff I think the watch it´s not Marschall, dial not have second subdial and it seems that the case is not exactly rectangular, but is slightly rounded

corresponding advert I can not find any, in the database do not have a similar watch

Geoff Baker
Posted November 8, 2016 - 6:15am

In reply to by jabs

I had the same thoughts Jaroslav. I wondered if the dial had been changed to accommodate the customization. In terms of the case shape my though was distortion from the very close photograph. Perhaps you're right.......

doridissla
Posted November 8, 2016 - 7:00pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Thanks for the reply. I will try to find a watch jeweler to open up the back. I don't feel I am qualified to take that on myself...unless you think the back can be easily popped off?

doridissla
Posted November 8, 2016 - 7:01pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I will try to find a watch jeweler to open up the back. I don't feel I am qualified to take that on myself...unless you think the back can be easily popped off?

mybulova_admin
Posted November 8, 2016 - 5:03am

I'd also date the watch to 1938, due to the case serial number.

It's also an interesting notion, but can we really identify this watch as a particular model when it has a custom dial. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's non-conforming as it was clearly something produced by Bulova back in the day for a special order no doubt which I think is really cool. I can't help but wonder the cost associated with getting a custom dial like this back in the mid 30's

William Smith
Posted November 8, 2016 - 1:30pm

What do the letters on the dial stand for?  Are they the first letters of numbers in another language? 

Here's the subject watch and Marshal ad.  Note the thickness of horizontal bezel near lugs.  Thicker on subject watch, narrower and more uniform all around on Marshall ad.  Also looks like the Marshall bezel is raised and stepped, while subject watch has relative flatter bezel.

 

 

doridissla
Posted November 8, 2016 - 6:59pm

In reply to by William Smith

Thanks for the reply...the name is Theodore Duda. I will try to find a watch jeweler to open up the back. I don't feel I am qualified to take that on myself...unless you think the back can be easily popped off?

Geoff Baker
Posted November 18, 2016 - 6:07am

Panel members, any final thoughts? Looks like this watch is heading to an "Unknown" model ID.