Did Bulova make a self-winding pulsations doctor's watch?

Submitted by What Does Your… on October 11, 2017 - 10:04am

Hi everyone.  New member here.  I signed up to ask a question about a Bulova i saw yesterday and I'm hoping member here can give me some info about it.

I saw a Bulova self-winding medical watch with the outside dial having a pulsations chapter and above the six o'clock marker was the caduceus.

The dial was a sliver colour and the case was gold filled with a steel case back.

I've seen the medical dial Accutrons but have never seen a vintage self-winding model with the pulsations markings. Has anyone seen these?

Sadly no pictures, as I wasn't permitted to take any.

Reverend Rob
Posted October 11, 2017 - 10:21am

Welcome to myBulova!

Did the watch in question look modern, or was it like the 30's 40's or 50's types? Round or Square or Tonneau?

Do you know for certain it was automatic, as in, did you see the rotor inside the movt? If so, was it a bumper or rotor or pendule? Some of the very earliest automatics were sliding movts, and move around on small rails. The only system  to survive is the rotor, whether Bi-Directional or Uni-Directional. 

If it was an older one, it would be fairly rare, as I am not aware that they made the Physician as an Auto. Unfortunately, pics would help a lot, as we would need to see the date code, movt type, etc. 

Is there any way to determine the calibre of the movt?

What Does Your…
Posted October 11, 2017 - 3:03pm

Hi Reverend Rob.  Thanks much for your reply.

I didn't see the movement and at this point I can't remember if it was automatic, self-winding or hand wind.  To me the case back appears to be from the 1960s.

I was able to get a picture of the dial from someone at the location it's for sale at. 

Not having all the info about the movement but looking at the watch again and seeing the picture I'm leaning towards a redial.

Edited to add:  The movement is handwind not automatic.  I was wrong in my first post.

Here's the picture:

What Does Your…
Posted October 11, 2017 - 3:27pm

Any opinions on the dial?

What Does Your…
Posted October 11, 2017 - 7:35pm

Here's a picture of the Accutron 214 pulse watch I found in this forum and to me the two look similar.  But does the watch above come by the dial originally or was it refinsihed to look like the 214?

 

 

 

Reverend Rob
Posted October 11, 2017 - 11:38pm

In reply to by What Does Your…

I don't think the watch dial has been refinished, it looks original. The manual winding watch with doctor's dial would likely have been produced before the Accutron. I have found several examples of the Accutron version dating to the late sixties, 214 and 218. 

What Does Your…
Posted October 12, 2017 - 9:26am

Thank you for your thoughts on this one Revered Rob. 

I'm going to look at the with again today and try and get a better idea of the condition.

The seller wants close to $500 CAD and I'm concerned about spending that kind of money on something that isn't original.