Bulova 1935 Lone Eagle

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on March 9, 2019 - 2:49pm
Manufacture Year
1935
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
5015845
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova & American Standard
Crystal details
18 mm x 10.1 mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Well, by all indications, this is a 1935 Lone Eagle with a copper colored dial. Engraving goes to the end of the lugs and has the telltale "x" in the center at 3 and 9 positions. Face has gold numerals and black seconds tracks. Watch was represented as estate fresh and the crud on it (face/case/band) says it's true. After handling this and taking it apart and cleaning it under magnification. whatever this is, I believe it's legit with the possible exception of the hands (if it's an LE) and band. Band is a Fitman & Keller and wear matches watch casing.

Caseback is marked with serial number, "10K Gold Filled' and "Bulova" with an American Standard shield on the edge near the nib for opening caseback.

This is the oldest Bulova watch I have ever encountered with a copper dial; and it's in a yellow gold hinged case. Plastic crystal is a little hacked up, I'll be polishing it shortly. This just came in the mail. I let it warm up, spun the crown once and it started running. 2 hrs in and it's keeping time.....$16.50....nobody was watching.

Supporting ad dated 1935.

1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
1935 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
Kathy L.
Posted March 9, 2019 - 3:20pm

Wow what a great pick up! I can't believe no one was watching this one.  So I was looking to see if I could find any dial variations and found some 1935 ads say radiolite dial.  Can anyone confirm what that means?  

1935 Bulova Lone Eagle

neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 9, 2019 - 3:43pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Thanks Kathy, it was a fluke due to vague title, description and fuzzy photos.

I  think "Radiolite Dial" is a ad ploy (sounds revolutionary...) for radium numbers on dial. It's a "nay" on this one, but I have to say I don't ever think I've seen a LE with a radium dial.

Kathy L.
Posted March 9, 2019 - 4:36pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

I don't think they are referring to the numbers.  All the ads I am seeing have raised numbers like yours.  Interesting anyway.

jabs
Posted March 10, 2019 - 4:51am

case is definitely adverting Lone Eagle, but it seems to me that the dial in the case does not belong much, the first photo does not look good

Geoff Baker
Posted March 10, 2019 - 7:08am

I was thinking the same thing Jaroslav, the railroad track doesn't seem consistent around the bezel I don't think theres any question that the case is a Lone Eagle and I would ID it as such, noting a possible dial swap.

1935 Bulova Lone Eagle 

mybulova_admin
Posted March 11, 2019 - 5:48am

Agreed, the case certainly looks to be a 1935 Bulova Lone Eagle. The dial and hands I suspect are a placement and not original to the watch or model.

Is that a notch I see on the dial above the 12? The sub-second style is also a variation.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 11, 2019 - 7:34am

No notch in dial. Good catch, you are correct about the subdial, I thought it was identitical. After looking at it again with magnification; The outer box is railroad track instead of a single line.

If it's a replacement dial, it was done a very long time ago.

Reverend Rob
Posted March 12, 2019 - 11:42am

I'm sorry to say the dial looks like a replacement, the outer track is too far from the bezel.

Although we do have a 1934 LE also with stick hands, I'm not sure this is correct.

1935 Lone Eagle, dial swap.