Bulova 1936 -Unknown

Submitted by teakyou on August 14, 2021 - 6:03pm
Manufacture Year
1936
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Square
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
6336188
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I found ads from 1934 for the Envoy, Ambassador, & Legion, that all look very similar without much detail. For 1936, the Commander was the closest I could find, but the angles on the case are too sharp. This case doesn't have steps at 3:00 and 9:00, either. 1936, 15j 10AE, yellow gold. That's all I know. The bracelet appears to be original.

Thanks, TQ

dial
movement
caseback
inside caseback
bracelet
Geoff Baker
Posted August 15, 2021 - 9:15pm

I'm at a bit of a loss to explain this one. Agree the case is very similar to the Ambassador but the dial is wrong AND the one it has rather looks original to the case. For now I'm looking but leaning Unknowm.

JimDon5822
Posted August 15, 2021 - 9:15pm

This one has me stumped.  It most certainly a 1932 Ambassador case but the 1936 date is unusual and the dial is definitely different.   The ad below is from 1934 when the Ambassador transitioned to a new model.  Not sure what this one is.

32 AMBASSADOR

 

teakyou
Posted August 15, 2021 - 10:14pm

Were they still making the Envoy in '36? The '33 Envoy in the database, and the '34 Envoy ad look very similar. The dial font might be different, though.

TQ

mybulova_admin
Posted August 15, 2021 - 10:33pm

I agree that the overall dial shape does not seem right for this case. The layout lines up nicely with the inner bezel shape, but that might just be a coincidence, or it could be 100% corect and original.....a puzzle it is....

Here is the dial of a 1938 Bulova Craftsman, which looks identical to the subject watch dial. Note the position of BULOVA and the 10 and 2, Tops seem in line.

1939 Bulova Craftsman

Also the dial shape is the same as the subject dial.

1929 Bulova Craftsman

I believe we have a marriage of a Bulova Ambassador case with a Bulova Craftsman movement and dial.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 17, 2021 - 12:27am

Will retract it being a Craftsman movement. The 10AE was very common in mens watches so would have worked for most mens cases and dials. If the movement is stamped with a square then that suggests it's too early to be from a Craftsman.

I'm also seeing what looks like original inner bezel markings on the dial that don't seem to match the subject watch....not certain.

JimDon5822
Posted August 16, 2021 - 11:03pm

 Not sure if it is a marriage or unknown so I will default to Unknown. 

teakyou
Posted August 17, 2021 - 6:10pm

There's a 1937 Revere in the database, and the dial appears to be the same. The case isn't engraved, though.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 19, 2021 - 7:54am

Unknown for me as well.