Bulova 1932 Calendar

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on December 11, 2021 - 3:19pm
Manufacture Year
1932
Movement Model
13AC
Movement Date Code
T
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
727851
Case Serial No.
2049831
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case appears to be  Crusador, however it houses a 13AC calendar movement that is stamped with a shield and a lighter "T". The dial cutout for the date at 3 shows original lume in the beveled window on top and bottom, indicating the window was present when the dial was painted at the factory.

Watch shows very minimal wear and was purchased by me as freshly serviced. It is running, keeping perfect time and the date changes at midnight.

Based on research, the only known examples of a early 1930's date window Bulova are this one, one in an apparent Apollo casing with a 10AC movement owned by mybulova admin (Stephen) and one (possibly 2) possessed by the Bulova Museum. I suspect this watch never made it to market, perhaps due to the Great Depression or Swiss Patent or patent rights issues.

I personally have no doubt this is an original Bulova, and for me a once in a lifetime purchase.. What do we call it? Is it a generic Calendar or a Prototype? It would be a shame to toss it into the ID Unknown drawer.

32date1
32date2
32date3
32date4
32date5
32date6
neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 11, 2021 - 3:36pm

32dateonband

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 11, 2021 - 3:36pm

Stephen's watch can be seen here in a 2012 discussion about early Bulova Calendar watches.

mybulova_admin
Posted December 12, 2021 - 3:48am

Bob, does does the date window have a bevelled edge?

What I find iteresting with yours is that you can see the top and bottom of the 3 on the dial. It's almost is if they seleted a few random watches from a pile (different models), cut the date window hole and through in the 10AC, 13AT movements to see which one looked better. I seriously doubt they mass produced these. I've not seen two the same.

I'm good with a general Calendar ID.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 12, 2021 - 7:01am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Yes, window is beveled on all 4 sides and the "3" is applied on the bevel. Movement is 13AC.

windowcloseup

mybulova_admin
Posted December 13, 2021 - 4:03am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

That's interesting that they've painted the dial post date window cut..

GuyMontag
Posted December 20, 2021 - 10:52pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Isn't that how they always do it? Start with a metal dial blank, cut out windows, drill holes for applied markers, etc, and then paint the dial?

mybulova_admin
Posted December 12, 2021 - 6:47am

oh and if at all possible, I'd love to see under the dial.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 12, 2021 - 8:47am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Me too, but at this point I am not going to attempt to take it apart that far for fear of wrecking something.

mybulova_admin
Posted December 13, 2021 - 4:20am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Absolutey. I had issues myself when I serviced it and trying  to put the date wheel mechanism back together.

Andersok
Posted December 12, 2021 - 8:03am

Wonderful find. The calendar window is a bit odd; odd that the print looks to continue down the bevel, so perhaps done after it was cut out. It does feel like a prototype, but still very cool.

As for the museum model, that one came through my hands years ago. Movement is the 10AC, stamped 1932.

10AC_UnderDial