Bulova 1930 -Unknown

Submitted by GuyMontag on March 4, 2021 - 11:33am
Manufacture Year
1930
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Shield
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
670089
Case Serial No.
004790
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I've looked through the database but can't find a match for the case, although some come close. Not seen in the photos, underneath the bottom spring bar is a capital letter 'F'.

Front
Back
Inside Back
Movement
Date Code - Shield
neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 4, 2021 - 1:57pm

Nice one! Thanks for sharing it. I actually have one identical to yours that we have been unable to give a name to. Your case s/n indicates a date of 1930, as does the movement, that is double stamped 1929 and 1930. The "F" between the lugs signifies "gold Filled". There is a single ad in the database depicting this watch (see linked watch) but unfortunately it doesn't give a name. It's listed as "A real man's watch".

Sorry, we are in the same boat.

1930 Unknown.

Full ad from 1930

https://mybulova.com/sites/default/files/vintage_ads/bulova-ad-1930--2…

GuyMontag
Posted March 4, 2021 - 3:40pm

Nice find on the ad and those markers on the top/bottom case edge, I hadn't noticed those.

It looks like the numerals on mine are different and are also embossed with no lume on the dial/hands. I thought the hands may not be original but with no lume on the dial perhaps they are original (?).

Mine is also missing jewels so I'm going to look for a donor movement and replace those two bridges.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 4, 2021 - 4:48pm

In reply to by GuyMontag

Chances are the hands are original to the face. In this time period, we see a lot of watches advertised as lumed dial that were also produced with what we refer to as a "dress face" - gold markers with black hands. I just noticed that your minutes track isn't a match to the crystal opening. It's hard to make a call on that as yours is the first we have encountered in this case with a dress face. Dial may have been replaced and may not have been. As good as it looks, it's more likely the dial was refinished and the craftsman took a little liberty doing it. Straight lines are easier than curves..... A lot can happen in 90 years. I am just making note of this  for future reference. Good luck fixing this one, it's worth the effort!

Kathy L.
Posted March 4, 2021 - 4:10pm

It is a nice one and hopefully an ad with a name will come up at some point.  

1930 Unknown

mybulova_admin
Posted March 5, 2021 - 3:36am

I suspect that the dial is not correct for this watch. The inner minute track is angles rather than curved which is a mismatch for the case. 

However like the other example we have in the database it is unfortunately an unknown model at this time.

Dual date stamps always fascinate me.

GuyMontag
Posted March 5, 2021 - 10:23pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

The shape of the minute track not matching the case shape does make sense. Bummer.

 

When I saw the dual date stamp I thought it might be that the movement hadn't been used as 1930 ended and as the next year began they just stamped over the previous one when it went into production. But it sure looks like the 1939 'Shield' is stamped over top of the 1940 'Omega'. Time travel?

Geoff Baker
Posted March 5, 2021 - 10:06pm

Love this case - 1930 Bulova Unknown