STAR WATCH CASE COMPANY & BULOVA

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on February 14, 2021 - 6:24pm

I came across this 1962 - 23 jewel watch for sale and missed bidding on it. I think this confirms that Star produced production cases for Bulova, and identifies the five pointed stars we see on Bulova marked case backs from the 1950's and 60's as indicating production by Star Watch Case Company for Bulova..

Question: with this information verification, should we be recognizing this when posting watches? Perhaps it's time to make an addition to the identify your watch - case dropdown to reflect this.

We currently recognize the difference between "American Standard" and  "Bulova American Standard".

Should we do the same with "Star" and "Bulova Star"? Star would be for "Star Watch Case Co" interior marked with no Bulova, and "Bulova Star" for cases like this one referenced as well as Bulova markings only cases displaying a five pointed star on the case back?

star1starcase2

 

mybulova_admin
Posted February 14, 2021 - 6:32pm

Sounds like a good update to implement, if we all think it will of benefit.

Now to find some history on the Star Watch Case Company.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 14, 2021 - 6:48pm

So far I find this article: But it makes no mention of Bulova. Interestingly, it states that Elgin dropped Star as a supplier in the 1950's leading to the eventual demise of the company. This aligns with the Bulova 23 series initial production with stars on the case back.

 

Geoff Baker
Posted February 15, 2021 - 9:11pm

It seems that we use "Bulova Star" only until such time we can document that there are Bulova watches that used cases only marked "Star". To date I don't think we've seen any?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 20, 2021 - 2:39pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Geoff, I'm not sure about Star only cases either. There may be some in the non-conforming drawer, but I don't believe there is a way to search by case manufacturer. I was thinking more along the lines of differentiating between stamped Bulova only cases with a star on caseback (the Star watch case co. trademark); and cases double marked with "Star Watch Case Co" as well as Bulova. I just re-read my initial post and I guess it wasn't quite clear.

Would changing to "Bulova Star"  only encompass cases like the one I referenced and one below, as well as cases not stamped as Star that have the 5 pointed star on the caseback, like the 23's? That was part of my initial thought process, to recognize the cases with the little star only.

How about "Bulova w/Star" for 5 pointed star cases

and "Star Bulova" for double  marked?

Right now, all we have in the case dropdown is "Star", which really covers neither.

 

 

GuyMontag
Posted April 26, 2021 - 9:52pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

This was a watch that was part of an auction lot with several other Bulova's. The case is a Star Watch Co. case with no Bulova markings on the inside/outside of the case. The 'Scepter' marking indicates it is GF or plated. I can't say if the case is original, but it doesn't look like the hands are so I ended up steering clear of it.

 

Star Case Co.

SpaceviewM2
Posted February 20, 2021 - 12:53pm

The 1960 Asymmetrical Accutron Model 203 & 204 both had The Star Watch Case Company stamping inside the caseback and had the Star stamped on the outside of the caseback also. This is a 1 year only case date stamped 1960.  This 1960 Watch Model to date doesn't have a known case number assigned to it.

Star Case1

Star Case2

Star Case 3

Star Case 5

Star Case 6

 

 

 

   

mybulova_admin
Posted February 21, 2021 - 4:04pm

In reply to by SpaceviewM2

Amazing twins!!

Another one of my bucket list watches. I love the solid 14Kt gold inlays in these.