Bulova 1952 Military Issue

Submitted by JimDon5822 on May 11, 2020 - 2:09pm
1917-H
Manufacture Year
1952
Movement Model
10BM
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
34646
Case Serial No.
2389571
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Star
Crystal details
Round Glass
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This is an example of a 1952 US Military Issue Model 1917-H watch.  The watch date is based on the first digit of serial number as the case has no date code but a 5 digit military serial number.   This was ordered by the US Dept of Defense Ord dept in 1951 under order A7198010 for the Korean War conflict based on the dial envelope shown in the advertisement.  This is a parkerized case manufactured by the Star Watch Case Co.   It has a very thick and deep dust cover and a screw back with US 1917-H stamped on the back.   Inside the case back it is stamped with the serial number 2389571 and 7198010 which is the ORD #.   There is another watch like this in the data base incorrectly dated to 1947.  I will ask that it be corrected to 1952.  The movement is a 10BM model with 15 jewels and a serial number of 34646 but no date code.  The dial is white and has radium hands and hour markers.   Bonus is it is a on vintage Hamilton strap and buckle.  Runs good but the mainspring is slipping.  I am going to try to see if I can find the original order from the DOD archives.  Would be a cool thing to find.

I suggest we ID this model as a   1952 Bulova US Military Issue 1917H

US 1917-H
US 1917-H
US 1917-H
US ORD ORDER
JimDon5822
Posted May 11, 2020 - 3:32pm

I just remembered I had an original Korean War era Waltham wrist compass in my collection.  They needed to be together just like the soldiers wore.  

Wrist CompassWaltham wrist compass

mybulova_admin
Posted May 12, 2020 - 6:37am

Agreed to ID as a Bulova Military Issue Model 1917-H

Date wise, I know it's not necessarily a factor, but what is the date code of the movement?

JimDon5822
Posted May 12, 2020 - 8:12am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

These models do not have a movement date code.  Just a 5 digit serial number.  Both watches in the data base have movement serial numbers starting with 3 and case serial numbers beginning with 2.  I am defaulting to 1952 based on the first number of the case serial number.

 

Kathy L.
Posted May 12, 2020 - 10:26am

Bulova Military Issue Model 1917-H

neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 12, 2020 - 11:08am

Bulova Military Issue Model 1917-H