Bulova 1929 Orchid

Submitted by nebnotlob on April 23, 2015 - 2:13pm
Manufacture Year
1929
Movement Model
5AP
Movement Date Code
Shield
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

I believe this to be a 1927 Bulova Orchid.  I found a watch that looked like it in the old advertisements on this website (12/27/1927 Saturday Evening Post).  I can't tell what the movement symbol is to get a correct date.  If I had a loupe, maybe.  I'm probably going to end up selling this on eBay (I bought it at an auction) and just wanted more information on it.  Thank you!

(edit:  I was able to get my hands on a loupe to check out the date symbol and it looks like a shield to me.  Updated the date on the post.)

Bulova watch
1929 Bulova watch
1929 Bulova watch
1929 Bulova watch
1929 Bulova watch
William Smith
Posted April 23, 2015 - 4:31pm

Nice 14K & Platinum case.  Earlier Dust-Tite patent technology. Still has the cellulose cover intact. 
Am I seeing a square shield (1931) under the click screw?  That may be a little late for the 5AP.

1955mercury
Posted April 23, 2015 - 8:33pm

Wow! Wow! That is a piece of art Nebnotlob. If you lift the dust shield off and take another photo the date code stamp should be legible then. It sure looks like the "Orchid" in the ad you mention.

The only difference is the ad lists the case being 18kt and yours is stamped 14kt. Could be they were made both ways or yours could be a different year than 1927.

William Smith
Posted April 24, 2015 - 4:30am

1930 (Dec 13) ad snippet from main database depicting Sapphires. Click for full ad.

 

1929 ad in the main ad database.  Click on graphic for full ad.

1929 (Sept 21) ad snippet from main database.  Click graphic for full ad.

1928 ad snippet from main database.  Click on graphic for full ad.

And another 1927 (Sept 24th) ad snippet.  Click on graphic for full ad.

Andersok
Posted April 24, 2015 - 7:08am

That is a serious high-end piece for the late 20s, can't imagine too many were sold; looks like it was offered in 14K, agree with Orchid

Geoff Baker
Posted April 24, 2015 - 8:00am

Hi nebnotlob, welcome to myBulova, looks like you hit the jackpot on this one. It's a thing of beauty!

Orchid

donegd
Posted April 24, 2015 - 8:03am

Wow what a fantastic piece . That is one beautiful watch definatly looks like an Orchid

 

jabs
Posted April 24, 2015 - 8:15am

Great find Orchid

nebnotlob
Posted April 25, 2015 - 11:20am

Thanks for the info everyone! I know a master watchmaker and took this watch to his shop to get more info. I spoke with his son and he seemed to think the movement was more early '30s than late '20s, so it very well could be a 1930-1931 model.

I was afraid to take the cover off the movement in fear of accidentally damaging it. Does anyone have any tips on how to get it off? Does it just lift straight off? If I can release the cover I'll post another photo of the movement.

Thanks again everyone!

1955mercury
Posted April 25, 2015 - 11:37am

The metal retainer ring around the cover just lifts up and comes off, but don't take it off if you don't feel comfortable doing it.

nebnotlob
Posted April 25, 2015 - 11:56am

There is no ring around the celuloid cover, so I'm not going to mess with it.  There's a couple notches on opposite 'corners' of the case on the face side, so it looks like you could stick something in there and lift the whole movement out of the case, but I can't get it to move so I'm not going to tempt fate.  Thanks for your help!