Just serviced and bought back to life. Have left the original paint on the dial and hands as it's in pretty good condition. Watch is running within a minute accuracy over a day.
Not sure if these were intended for either military or medical. It's actually a very small watch compared to other men's models of the same period. Case is about 26mm wide.
We have a few similar early center sweep hands watches in the database:
- http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-unknown-4728
- http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-unknown-8796
- http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1930-unknown-8445
- http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1932-unknown-4988 (same a subject watch)
- http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1935-unknown-6124
Case in marked 'BULOVA QUALITY'.
I also like the serial numbers 1196469 (case) and 604609 (movement).
It's remarkable how different this watch is stylistically to other Bulova of the same era. I can't help but wonder what forces were at play within the company at the time. Was the younger generation trying something new? Remind me - We view this movement as 1930 as opposed to 1940 because of the serial number, right?
1931 Bulova Unknown
In reply to It's remarkable how different by Geoff Baker
That's correct Geoff the serial number on the movement would indicate 1930s. Also the SWISS instead of USA which was more commonly used on the 10ANs after about 1935.
I was thinking as well as to why this is such a different looking watch to others of the era.
Was it made for a specific group or market? Were they a special order for military or medical groups?
The size is another thing that really throws me....it's way smaller than the normal models of this period....again is this to meet some specific design requirements or just a trail in fashion? Although I have to say that the style is very much old school WWI trench watch, so not really modern for 1931.
Either way it's an intriguing watch which has been on my wrist telling me the time for the last two days.
In reply to On this site iT is indicated by Alex
In reply to Sweet watch Stephen, I really by neetstuf-4-u
The watch came with the typical white gold plate metal bracelet of the time and was too small on my wrist and also made the watch look like a ladies watch.
I just happen to have this strap lying around and figured it would give it some 'bulk' to better suit a mans wrist.
Now it's not too small and not too big....it's like Goldilocks porridge.....just right.
Well I literally just stumbled across an advert with the watch.
Looks like my gut was correct....it's a nurses watch. Did they have male nurse's back in 1931?
Looks like I have the original band as well (not shown here).
Any objections to naming this the Bulova 'Nurse'