This is my first of several watches and I am not particulary computer or watch savy. I think that all details can be seen in the photos. I found a 1930 ad on the mybulova.com website that has a Conrad that looks a lot like this watch. The movement has a clear plastic window covering it held by a retainer ring that snaps into place. Image 4 shows the movement without the plastic and Image 5 shows the movement with the plastic (yellowed from age). Happy to send more infor and looking forward to the ID.
Thanks, John
Hi John - welcome to myBulova. I think your watch is the Bertram model as it was advertised in two tone gold, the Conrad was not. Here's my Bertram. Based on a serial number starting with "1" we would set the date as 1931. The "X" on the movement is a 1933 date code (which likely indicates that it's a replacement). The symbol you see IS a "6", this movement was adjusted for 6 positions. The dust cover over the movement was a standard for late 1920's and 1930's Bulova.
1931 Bulova Bertram
Dear JPutt, thank you for posting the "Conrad" on our site. It is a model that was still missing.....until now! The Conrad must have been positioned as a "top of the range" model, given the movement has 21 jewels and 6 (!) adjustments. So, yes, it is a 6. Adjustments refers to how many adjustments are made to a movement to make it run under any circumstance. The more the better.
Could you let us know if you find a date code on the movement? You can refer to this page: https://mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes and tell us what you find.
A beautiful Conrad it is!
It seems like the Conrad was never advertised in the newspapers while the Bertram is advertised since 19 November 1930, three and a half weeks before the Conrad appeared in the Saturday Evening Post ad of December. This leaves us to two options:
1. the Conrad is a yet to discover model that is similar, yet different somehow (single color?)
2. the Conrad and the Bertram are the same
I tend to believe the latter for following reasons:
a. it is not the first time that we see a name mix-up between newspaper and Saturday Evening Post ad, where the newspaper turns out to be correct. Indeed the name Bertram is consistently used during 1931 as well and Conrad does not appear at all in the newspapers.
b. Price of Conrad and Bertram is the same at US$57.50 and both are 21 jewels
c. dual tone was a new feature (as was 21 jewels). It makes sense that their most expensive model therefore would be two tone. If the Conrad was the single color version, why still have a single color for your top model at the same price?
d. Also the Gladiator was advertised without mention of "two-tone", nor pictured with two colors, while we know it is. The Conrad ad is in the same format as the Gladiator ad, so still could have been two tone.
A Bertram it is.
By the way, it is the first 10AN 21j. I found. The Tyler (21j version of President Madison), used the 9AF.
Thanks to you all. I am amazed how quickly you looked into this. In the future I hope to add other Bulovas. I dont qualify as a collector but i do have several watches to add inlcuding an Accutron that my father-in-law bought new in 1966.
Not sure if this is the correct place to ask, but several questions regarding this Bertram:
1. Where did you, Geoff, see the date code, X? I dont see it on the movement.
2. I dont see any indication of the case material. Do I rely on adverts for that?
3. The dial is readable but definitely aged. Should I have it refurbished? I wear the few watches that I have but do not want to intentionally take away from the value by refinishing the dial except from limited, normal wear.
Again, thank you. This is very exciting for me.
John
I am inclined to believe this is a 1931 Bertram. The above referenced ad clearly does not indicate the Conrad as two tone as it does for the Sky King. Note the yellow accents in the ad on the Sky King. Therefore I conclude the Conrad is all white gold and the Betram is two tone as we have documented in ads. It should be noted the two other Bertram's inn the DB are black enameled ones and do not match the Geoff's.
1931 Bertram.
John - in the era of your watch there were some cases that were not content marked but generally they are gold filled. If, perchance the case was solid gold or platinum it was ALWAYS noted as such. Many of the gold filled cases of the 20's and 30's also has a rhodium plating to enhance the shine and I think this one does.
Dial restoration is 100% owner preference. Few of these watches are priceless heirlooms and as such should be considered as beautiful in the eye of the beholder in what ever condition it is found. I like the comparison to classic cars, some owners go for full blown restoration and some like them 'as found'. I generally restored dials and hands but there are many who would not dream it. I honestly don't think restoration of this dial severely affects the value but it would cost upwards of $100 USD. I think the yellow tint is a function of the crystal which could be replaced for much less than a dial restoration I will ALWAYS recommend a professional service if you're going to wear the watch regularly.
I've attached a photo of the movement with the "X" circled
