Bulova 1934 Cavalier

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on April 8, 2021 - 1:10pm
Manufacture Year
1934
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
917697
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Another of my "what the heck is that" purchases. External serial number is only 6 digits long. Based on not knowing if s/n is missing a digit (either first or last) I dated it by the movement. Outside marked "Bulova" on s/n end and "10K rolled gold plate" on other. No markings on inside of the single hinged case back besides a scattering of jeweler marks. Movement has a date code for 1934.

Case is 2 tone (yellow gold top w/white sides) and watch has a matching 2 tone band as received, with "Jimmie" engraved on clasp. Mismatched seconds hand.

When received, it would only run face down. I wound it and let it sit face down for 23 hrs and it kept time. At that point, I wound it again and flipped it over. it now runs and appears to keep time face up on the wrist.....weird. Does not appear to have seen much wrist time.

My best guess is 2 tone Commander variant. Whatever it is, it appears to be a first for the database.

2tonec1
2tonec2
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commander advert
JimDon5822
Posted April 8, 2021 - 10:54pm

What I think you have is a 1934 Bulova Cavalier.  This is from our Ad archive from 1934.

1934 Cavalier

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 8, 2021 - 11:39pm

In reply to by JimDon5822

Good call Jim, I agree. The only other example of Cavalier in the database also has a 6 digit s/n starting with a "9" and a 1934 date code on movement. That one appears to have a swapped dial and replacement band. It looks like Cavalier pre-dates Commander.

1934 Cavalier works for me. Well found!

JimDon5822
Posted April 9, 2021 - 10:26am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

It appears that by 1936 the yellow gold model has been changed to the Commander based on the ad we have from 1936.  

Kathy L.
Posted April 9, 2021 - 5:56pm

Nice two tone model, congrats!  Good ad find Jim.

1934 Bulova Cavalier

Geoff Baker
Posted April 9, 2021 - 10:09pm

Beautiful watch Bob 1934 Bulova Cavalier