Bulova 1924 -Non-Conforming

Submitted by tshanno on November 22, 2019 - 8:11am
Manufacture Year
1924
Movement Model
10AA
Movement Date Code
Asterisk
Movement Jewels
16
Movement Serial No.
119957
Case Serial No.
24533
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Other
Crystal details
18mm in diameter
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

So this is going to be an interesting one for me.

I took a chance on this watch and bought it on eBay.  It fits the ad for a Lady Maxim to a T, with identical filigree on the bezel and on the watch face.  It also has what appears to be an original band that is too small for a modern wrist.  If the watch is legit, no adult is ever going to wear it because I don't have it in me to cut that band off.

The seller said she bought the box seperately but thought it might be correct for the period.

The movement looks totally legitimate to me.  The date code is hard to see but its between the "sixteen jewel" marking near the stem and the screw to the right of that.  I can provide a close up if needed.

Both of the full ads for this watch are 1922 and both claim 15 jewels.  However, there are a number of examples in the database with 17 jewels so I assume that's variable.  None have the 10AA movement but that appears to be variable as well and the date range is correct.

What's really bothersome about this watch are the markings on the inside of the case back.  Its not marked "Bulova" or "American Standard" as should usually be the case and as every other example I can find is.  Instead its marked "Guilfora 25 years".  It's a little hard to read because its in script and it could be "Guilford" but I really can't find any indication that there's an upstroke on that last letter.  Perhaps you guys can make it out better.  In any case, it defintiely seems to me to be unusual.

Legitimate Lady Maxim or non-conforming, I'll be interested to hear your opinions.  Thanks.

1924 Bulova watch
1924 Bulova watch
1924 Bulova watch
1924 Bulova watch
1924 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
Reverend Rob
Posted November 23, 2019 - 11:11am

I can find no information about the watch case company, but pretty sure this is non-conforming.

Geoff Baker
Posted November 23, 2019 - 10:34pm

I agree that the watch is non-conforming. The presentation case it's in appears to be of the era of the watch. I would place it mid-20's.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 24, 2019 - 4:54pm

I have to go non-conforming as well. Chances are the original owner wore the Bulova case through and had the watch re-cased as close to original as they could afford. I really like it but, non-conforming due to the generic case.