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.
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-…
In reply to Hello doridissla, welcome to by Geoff Baker
In reply to Geoff I think the watch it´s by jabs
In reply to Hello doridissla, welcome to by Geoff Baker
In reply to Hello doridissla, welcome to by Geoff Baker
In reply to I will try to find a watch by doridissla
I highly refer this Document before you attempt yourself to open a Vintage Watch Case. In many cases it can be done easily, in most not! Hopefully you can get the case off, photograph the Movement and get the information off the back of the case-back.
See Link:
http://www.gruenwristwatches.com/resources/Tutorial_-_opening_case/How%…
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
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.
In reply to What do the letters on the by William Smith