Bulova 1931 Round the World

Submitted by William Smith on August 27, 2012 - 7:00pm
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Square Shield
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
673308
Case Serial No.
1227631
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case dimensions:   27mm (not counting crown) by 33mm lug tip to tip.  Crystal measurements and other details to follow. Supporting 1930 ad doesn't mention two-tone gold case, and dial configuration is different, but it's a starting point. EDIT June 5, 2014:  The 1930 Ambassador ad mentioned above has been replaced with an August 26th, 1931 ad from the Spokane Daily Chronicle.

Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 27, 2012 - 8:00pm

at face value it's a 2 tone 'AMBASSADOR' ?

The Jewel count is correct and so is the Case......all except for the Gold bits.

ha

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 8:04pm

...but I dont see an Ambassador case w/ two rows of horizontal engravings....unless I missed one.

EDIT:  ....an Ambassodor case AD w/ two rows .... 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 27, 2012 - 8:45pm

ad Dated 1930, fully engraved bezel horizontals. You've posted it twice. lol

The raised Gilt Dial is a non issue as We see it in many Models of this era as an alternative to the Radium.

After much thought and deliberation I'm going out on a limb and saying 2 tone 'AMBASSADOR'.

JP
Posted August 27, 2012 - 8:51pm

Two tone Ambassador from me

Geoff Baker
Posted August 27, 2012 - 8:51pm

Wondered if this beauty was going to show up out here........... nice price too Will, well bought

Fleetwood say I - both had the two rows but only the FW was shown two tone.

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 9:06pm

....so maybe it's back to a movement swap?  I just couldn't make out the two rows of horizontal engravings in either Ambassador or Fleetwood ad.  I see 2 rows in the Ambassador ad in root record now.  I'll check the Fleetwood ad again.  It's my old eyes....:)

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 27, 2012 - 9:21pm

definately thought 'FLEETWOOD' at first.

Here's why I now do not.

The 1929 ad showing both the 'FLEETWOOD' and the 'AMBASSADOR' does not show and makes no mention of the 2 tone Case on the 'FLEETWOOD'. The Jewel count is the only difference in the 2.

There are no ads showing the 'FLEETWOOD' with 2 rows of horizontal bezel engraving.

The 'FLEETWOOD is advertised as 17 Jewels.

 

In the early 1930's Bulova Watches begin to be advertised in 'White', 'Natural' or '2 tone Gold'

I have this Case in White and if I'm not mistaken JP has the Case in Natural or Yellow Gold.

I believe the 'FLEETWOOD' and the 'AMBASSADOR' both came in solid or 2 tone Cases - the Jewel count being the determining factor.

William Smith
Posted August 28, 2012 - 2:46am

I simply can't find a Fleetwood ad with the two rows of horizontal engravings....and I'm not sold on a movement swap from 17 to 15 jewels. so:
An Unknown? 
A movement swapped Fleetwood? 
An tentative Ambassodor in two tone for which we dont' have an ad yet? 

Here's a 1929 Ambassador Fifth has in watch database besides the subject watch.  There are ads in Fifth's record w/ engraving for the Ambassador in his ID. I know these are the watches being compared and not watches to ads, but at least the Ambassador ads in the linked record have two rows of engraving.

Geoff Baker
Posted August 28, 2012 - 5:26am

The Fleetwood ad Mark linked and Will displayed on page one shows two rows.

William Smith
Posted August 28, 2012 - 6:42am

I see an area of smooth bezel on the outside of the rows of horizontal engraving on the two Fleetwood ad images below and subject watch has engraving all the way to the edge.