Bulova 1939 Ben Hur

Submitted by Daverooni on January 10, 2021 - 2:14pm
Manufacture Year
1939
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Cresent Moon
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
8680395
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hello all, this is my first post here, thank you for creating this community.   My entree into vintage Bulova was 1 1/2 years ago when I was lucky enough to pick up a nearly unworn ‘73 Spaceview.  This time I’ve gone back in time a bit further with this black dialed stunner.  I’d appreciate your help in IDing the model.  Assumptions are between a Lone Eagle and the Ben Hur, I’m leaning on the later. 
I am also curious as to this being marked Swiss made on the dial and movement, all other 21J 10AEs that I have seen (which isn’t many) were US made.  What’s the deal with that? 
The watch is now in for a service, and my watchmaker is looking for a new crystal - note the chip at 1:00.  Any suggestions on where to source a crystal (is it a unicorn?), or the part number, would also be most appreciated.

With gratitude, Dave

Bulova 1939 black dial
Back image
Inside case image
movement image
date mark image
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JimDon5822
Posted January 10, 2021 - 2:56pm

Welcome to MyBulova.   You certainly picked up a stunner.  It looks to be a 1938 Ben Hur but I cannot seem to find a black dial version in our database.  I will let the other panel members weigh in here.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted January 10, 2021 - 3:34pm

Welcome to mybulova and thanks for sharing. That is a real beauty. Ben Hur was advertised with a white dial with raised gold numbers, which makes a refinished dial/color change  unlikely It's possible it was also made with this dial, which seems to be a perfect fit to the case. Case is a match to Ben Hur and face is a match to the case. I agree with Jim and await more opinions on this one.

Geoff Baker
Posted January 11, 2021 - 10:05pm

I suggest we classify as 1939 Bulova Ben Hur noting a possible dial refinish. I say 1939 because of 1938 & 1939 date codes present

JimDon5822
Posted January 11, 2021 - 11:08pm

Both this watch and the one in unknowns have the same black dial, same font with Swiss on the dial.  I am inclined to believe this to be a Bulova factory dial and model.  I am still in the unknown camp noting that they could be a possible black dial variants of the Ben Hur.  

Daverooni
Posted January 11, 2021 - 11:34pm

Of course, I didn’t take a pic with the crystal off, I’ll do that when it comes back from service.  From my memory, 99% this is an original dial. Service dial maybe, but the movement is super clean, so not sure why a service dial would be needed

Thank you all for your ongoing work with this  review, what a treat!!

Daverooni
Posted January 12, 2021 - 12:45am

Interesting, I thought the mark beside the crescent moon was a scratch, looking at it now, and referring to the date codes, test it could be both date codes present. Though the moon is much more sharply defined.

I’m learning quite a bit here 👍

Daverooni
Posted January 25, 2021 - 12:23pm

Hello all, thanks for your ongoing help to ID this watch. It is back from service, and with a polished crystal, the dial is easier to see in detail. I’m not sure how to edit or add a new photo, so if it would be helpful to do, please let me know

mybulova_admin
Posted January 29, 2021 - 3:23am

Just like the American Clipper series that too had black dial options both in engraved and unengraved cases. I see no reason why the Ben Hur model didn't offer something similar. 

Everything is a match for a Ben Hur except the dial color.

I'd certainly be happy saying it is a 1939 Ben Hur, unknown variant.