Bulova 1931 Miss Liberty

Submitted by Tayloreuph on July 26, 2019 - 7:07pm
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
6AF
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
1156806
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

Ladies watch, 6AF movement. Inside the case back says: Bulova Quality - Pat. June 10 1924 - 1156806. Possibly chrome plated, filagree expansion bracelet. Three Green stones above and beow the watch dial, green stones set below the lug clasp as well.  I can't see the movement symbol from under the dust glass.

1929 Bulova watch
1929 Bulova watch
1929 Bulova watch
Kathy L.
Posted July 27, 2019 - 10:06am

I believe this is a Miss Liberty like this one https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-unknown-5394

The case is different than the ads for Miss Liberty like this one https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-miss-liberty-6170 it does not have the cut in corners but rather it is like the Miss American case that has etched corners.  I have seen Miss Americas that have had cut corners instead of etched.  But in both cases the case etching is correct for each model.  So my thought is that there was an occasion or two where they swapped cases on these models.  In my opinion they would still be these models and not a different model because everything else is correct. We will see what the other panel members think : ) 

Lovely example by the way, love love love the original band!!  The watch is gold filled and I believe the band would be as well. 

1931 Bulova Miss Liberty (tenative)

Tayloreuph
Posted July 29, 2019 - 2:25pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Would the watch be gold filled without any reference on the case? I cant tell, there doesn't seem to be any wear marks on the case to reveal a plating or filling, which I would think would be apparent after all this time. The matching bracelet certainly appears to be more chrome like, but was chrome plating even common for watches in the 20's? I find reference to the first chromium plating services in New York and New Jersey in 1924-25, which would fir the time line, but with this process being new, would it necessarily flow to watches, even a luxury item like this?

Kathy L.
Posted July 29, 2019 - 2:59pm

In reply to by Tayloreuph

Yes unless the watch was solid gold they will be gold plate or filled from this era.  The term  Bulova Quality indicates this.  The bands should all be gold filled as well.  

Kathy L.
Posted July 30, 2019 - 5:19pm

In reply to by Tayloreuph

I'm not an expert, just going by ads and from others.  I do not think they were using rhodium yet at this point.  They did use platinum.  We do know that the Miss Liberty was gold filled by the ads and that it had a band to match.  I would still guess the band is gold filled.

mybulova_admin
Posted July 27, 2019 - 12:20am

I'm tentative Miss Liberty. The stone layout certainly is a match but that case gives me pause to think it may also be a different model.

The matching bands are rearer than hens teeth. I'm still trying to find a blue sapphire one for my wifes 29 Miss Liberty.

 

Alex
Posted July 27, 2019 - 5:15am

Dear Tayloreuph, your watch is an unknown since we have no ad to confirm a name. Yet there is an interesting story to tell. In 1929, Bulova introduced the Miss Liberty. A beautiful watch with 6 triangular stones like your watch. The miss Liberty came in a case shape that I call Cut Corner Tonneau shape. Although this was the model that was advertised heavily during 1929, Bulova introduced at the same time a second shape: the Tonneau shape, also with the same 6 triangular stones. This is your watch. In the engraving you see the original Cut Corner Tonneau shape coming back.In summary: in 1929 Bulova introduced one style (6 triangular stones) in two shapes (Cut Corner Tonneau and Tonneau) but advertised, and thus named only one shape: the Cut Corner Tonneau shape as Miss Liberty. In 1930, Bulova repeated this, now with the Miss America. This time the style is based on 4 "tiger teeth" shaped stones. Bulova also introduced this model in the two above mentioned shapes and advertised only one shape: the Tonneau shape with name Miss America. Since both shapes were introduced together, I call them "sister" watches. However, by lack of evidence in the form of adverts, we don't know if the sister watches were named Miss Liberty or Miss America as well. Hence I suggest "Unknown". Your watch is from 1931, the last year all 4 Misses/sister watches were sold.

Kathy L.
Posted July 28, 2019 - 11:30am

I found this in two different papers in 1931.  Maybe showing the other case or just artist rendering?

Geoff Baker
Posted July 28, 2019 - 10:16pm

I think the difference is the actual cut on the corner. The referenced watch has lines where the cut is but there is case material outside of the line, so it really isn't 'cut'. The two watches Kathy has linked above are examples of the difference. I think I have to go Unknown on this one.

1929 Bulova Unknown - It certainly is a lovely watch. Looks to be in excellent condition.