Rockefeller Centre 1952 18Kt Solid Gold case
NYTimes article form 1976:
https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/21/archives/bulova-watch-company-is-mov…
"The Bulova Watch Company, one of the country's largest watch makers, is moving its ‘executive headquarters, sales and advertising departments from Rockefeller Center to its Bulova Park facility in Flushing, Queens."
Thanks everyone! Interrogated my wife’s aunt and got the case back off! The whole thing is 18k gold. Should have known - it’s heavy. My wife’s great grandfather worked for the Rockefeller organization. This was a retirement gift given to him by the board in 1952. I found some watchmaker marks inside and it definitely needs service. more to come
All I can say is Wow. What a treasure, both family and historically. It is interesting that it was awarded to your wife's great-grandfather as a retirement gift, but is obviously a woman's pendant watch. I wonder if he was given a choice of gift, and chose to pick a gift to give to his wife. Maybe he wasn't a "gold watch guy"?
In reply to All I can say is Wow. What a… by neetstuf-4-u
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts as always Bob. I wasn't sure if it was obvious or not :-) Was thinking that tho.
It's 38mm in diameter and has 1 single loop at the top for a chain. The edge of the bezel is reeded like a coin. Weighs almost 53 grams (with the movement).
I've seen other pocket watches and a wristwatch from his collection so more work to do on the "why". I think you might be correct about giving it to his wife. Will chase down other family members and gather more info.
I found two other examples online. One in 14 karat gold or at least that’s what they said with a Bulova 100 years back. I also found another 18 karat gold one with a custom back for the Principality of Outer Baldonia. Everything points to a Bulova watch from their custom awards division. I do not doubt it would’ve been a retirement gift but it’s unusual being that it’s a Pendant and for a man. Unless he requested this one so he could give it to his wife. If so it sounds like your grandfather was a very special man.
In reply to In the past we have ID'd… by mybulova_admin