Bulova 1938 Minute Man

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on May 27, 2022 - 11:52am
E
Manufacture Year
1938
Movement Model
7AP
Movement Date Code
Arrow
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
8137501
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Excellent original condition curved case watch shows very little wear. A tiny bit of wear on case back corners, but back retains it's satin finish. Note the visible groove in the crown.  1938 case date and 1937 dated movement. Mounted on a period correct replacement (?) band as received and keeping perfect time.

1938 President?

pred1
pred2
pred3
pred4
prerd5
plainsmen
Posted May 28, 2022 - 1:01am

I don't believe the case and lugs were curved on the President like that.  They were pretty straight.  This looks more like a Minute Man?

I feel like this may be a Minuteman B with the etched bezel that has had a 21 jewel put in it.

1939 MM B

Vs the President

1939 Pres

 

 

 

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 28, 2022 - 6:58am

I was focused on the jewel count, but now after digging deeper, I don't think it's a President. President looks to have had another "step" on the sides under the engraving. The ads are confusing on engraving and lug shape apparently due to artistic license.

Minute Man is certainly a consideration. I find this 1937 ad that looks to name it Minute Man "E"? Like this one

37clipminuteman

37fullad

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 28, 2022 - 7:24am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

UPDATE: This one wasn't making sense as the overall condition, movement and case dates are only a year apart, so a movement swap seemed unlikely. I took it apart again and examined movement with a higher magnification, cleaned off a little crud and it's a 17 jewel movement, NOT 21. My bad......I guess I saw what I wanted to see as opposed to what was there. Updated the root info above from 21 to 17.

With a 17J this is more likely than not a Minute Man, Good call Plains! So, is it variant "E"?

Geoff Baker
Posted May 28, 2022 - 8:27am

I would go with the 1938 Bulova Minute Man E

JimDon5822
Posted May 28, 2022 - 11:15pm

 1938 Bulova Minute Man E makes sense

Kathy L.
Posted May 29, 2022 - 11:15am

Great research and watch.

1938 Bulova Minute Man "E"