Bulova 1939 Mayor

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on November 14, 2018 - 12:58pm
Manufacture Year
1939
Movement Model
8AE
Movement Date Code
Shield
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
9172675
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
24.1mm x 17.8mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Here's an unusual 1939 dated men's that is completely out of character for the time period. Based on lug; I'm confident this sports the original Kreisler band. Very clean case with chalked face. Appears to only need a service to be a runner. Total length 42.1mm x 20.6mm not counting crown.

1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 14, 2018 - 1:41pm

For what it's worth, it has been suggested on another Bulova site that this is a tentative  "Major", based on process of elimination by crystal specs per G-S catalog 43. 

G-S MT349-25 crystal apparently fits:

Ambassador, Commodore, Major, Montgomery and Webster.

Four out of five of these models are confirmed through ads. The remaining unconfirmed name is "Major".

This other site pictures 2 of these watches, one white face and one black. Both are on the same band and dated 1939.

 I don't have access to the catalog to confirm or deny. If true, it's a pretty good argument for a tentative.

 

Kathy L.
Posted November 15, 2018 - 9:04pm

Maybe one of the other panel members has access to the catalog?  If so I think your argument is good for a tentative Major.  Nice find and good looking watch.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 15, 2018 - 9:17pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Thanks Kathy. This was one of those "what the heck is that?" watches - had to have it.

mybulova_admin
Posted November 16, 2018 - 10:56pm

Is the crystal spec 24.1mm x 17.8mm ?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 17, 2018 - 6:24am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Yes, that's what it measures with my digital calipers - they display only one number to the right of decimal point.

mybulova_admin
Posted November 17, 2018 - 7:05pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

The reason I asked is that the G-S cruystal catalog has the G-S MT349-25 listed as a crystal form a Hamilton watch. There is probably another reference somewhere that also lists it as a Bulova. 

I'm at Unknowen for now.

Hope we can find an ad one day!

Andersok
Posted November 17, 2018 - 8:04am

I'm still unable to find anything substantial on this one. Would be nice to confirm the Major model name.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 17, 2018 - 10:13am

In reply to by Andersok

Agreed, Major isn't even currently in the dropdown list, so it's got to be a pretty obscure watch model. Based on the fact that only 3 of these are currently known and all are 1939, it's not out of the realm of possibility this is a one year watch and was never advertised.

Reverend Rob
Posted November 17, 2018 - 10:09pm

I'm going to have to go with unknown for now. 

Geoff Baker
Posted November 18, 2018 - 7:11am

Sorry Bob - going with the flow on this one.

1939 Bulova Unknown