Bulova 1938 -Unknown

Submitted by schleems18 on June 25, 2022 - 6:54am
Manufacture Year
1938
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
8397160
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Lone Eagle V? with lizard and 1/20th 10k gold-filled expansion band

Front of case 06252022
Inside case back 06252022
Movement 06252022
Case back serial 06252022
Case back gold content 06252022
neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 25, 2022 - 8:34am

Nice one, I really like the step side models of this era. Based on the serial number, the watch is a 1938 with a likely movement replacement at some point.

We have had several in depth discussions regarding this watch and have never been able to give it a name. There are currently 3 other identical watches in the database here ,  here and here.  All are dated 1938 and ID'ed as Unknown. Hopefully, one day we will be able to give him a name, until then I have to go with

1938 Unknown

schleems18
Posted June 25, 2022 - 12:58pm

Yes, sorry for mistaking the moon for a circle.  The case has a continuous curve from lug tip to lug tip, and the scrolling starts at the center running out to the ends.  The center scrolled design could be a flower?  A very interesting blend of curves and the stepped design.

plainsmen
Posted June 27, 2022 - 3:05am

I still say the Ranger!

mybulova_admin
Posted June 27, 2022 - 4:49am

If it was dated 1942 I'd say Bulova Chief all day long, but it's not, it's 1938.....so does that still make it a Chief or a Ranger?

Geoff Baker
Posted June 28, 2022 - 10:16pm

As a 1938 watch I have to agree that it's Unknown

schleems18
Posted June 29, 2022 - 2:06am

One of the 3 examples doesn't fit with the other two examples, as well as with mine.  The scrolling doesn't extend out onto the lugs and has a different sub seconds dial.  Is there a sub category of 1938 unknowns? 

Geoff Baker
Posted July 1, 2022 - 9:46pm

Panel members? Votes please?