Bulova 1952 Commemorative

Submitted by rhinodbp on May 16, 2021 - 10:01pm
Manufacture Year
1952
Movement Model
10BM
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
12345
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Rockefeller Centre 1952  18Kt Solid Gold case

front
back w no serial
10 B M movement L2
case back w bulova and 18k
back of case
plainsmen
Posted May 16, 2021 - 10:31pm

You got the back off!!!! WOW..18K gold!!!

So cool man.... Congrats!  That's some special piece.  That being 18K gold.. I wonder if it's not super significant.  Museum piece man.

Promo piece imho.

JimDon5822
Posted May 16, 2021 - 10:38pm

WOWSER!!!  18KT Gold!  Amazing piece.  Definitely one for the Bulova Museum.  Clearly a corporate piece for their Rockefeller Center location.   

rhinodbp
Posted May 16, 2021 - 10:58pm

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 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 17, 2021 - 9:33am

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"?

rhinodbp
Posted May 17, 2021 - 10:05am

In reply to 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.

JimDon5822
Posted May 17, 2021 - 3:29pm

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.  

Kathy L.
Posted May 18, 2021 - 2:25pm

Wonderful, special piece and lovely family heirloom, congrats!!

 

mybulova_admin
Posted May 19, 2021 - 5:56am

In the past we have ID'd something of this nature as 'Promotional'. I'm wondering if another category can be added, 'Commemorative'?

Panel thioughts?