Bulova 1918 American Maid

Submitted by mybulova_admin on May 1, 2021 - 2:35am
Manufacture Year
1918
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
2867685
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

Ok, I'm adding this to the website as I'd like to see what others think.

Everything about this watch screams Bulova and Rubaiyat. Dial is a near perfect match to the 1917 'Red 12' Rubaiyat except for the 'American Maid' name.

I've come across 2 or 3 other samples of the 'American Maid' branding, 2 of which are housed in a case also stamped 'American Maid'.

Whilst the style, quality and parts scream Bulova/Rubaiyat it's also the name that is 'very Bulova'....American Girl, American Bride, American Groom, American Boy.

Below I've also listed a few other examples of this name sake as well as a 1918 advert showing 'American Maid' as making ribbon watch bracelets in Providence Rhode Island.

I've listed the case serial number starting with a '2' as I'm sure I'm seeing it there (mis-struck and faint) in a picture also included below. Then again I could just be seeing what I want to see and that first number was just never struck. This could be a clue as to the meaning of the first number if it's not a watch built by Bulova and how the serial numbers were struck during manufacture, with the first number being added by the company selling the finished watch.

Anyway, after a full disassemble, clean and polish and mounted on a period correct (matching) silk ribbon bracelet, this 'maid' once again looks amazing and is keeping pretty good time for her age....just needs a minor adjustment of the regulator after running 5 minutes slow over the last 24hrs.

My wife put it on her wrist and it actually looked fantastic and was a perfect fit. Not sure it will replace her Samsung Smart Watch though.

1918 American Maid - Rubaiyat
1918 American Maid - Rubaiyat
1918 American Maid - Rubaiyat
1918 American Maid - Rubaiyat
1918 American Maid - Rubaiyat
neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 2, 2021 - 9:16am

Man, Stephen, this one is pretty amazing, as is your research. I agree with Geoff on all points and think 

1918 Bulova American Maid 

is a good choice!

Kathy L.
Posted May 2, 2021 - 9:57am

Wow that is a beauty and well done on all the research!  Also agree on whatever name you decide on.

1918 Bulova American Maid

JimDon5822
Posted May 2, 2021 - 4:59pm

Stunning watch.   

1918 Bulova American Maid

mybulova_admin
Posted May 3, 2021 - 7:57am

Here's what she looked like pre-restore and service.....bear in mind I only got the watch 5 days ago.

1918 Bulova American Maid watch

1918 Bulova American Maid watch

1918 Bulova American Maid watch