Bulova 1940 Commodore

Submitted by Gordonblan on March 5, 2015 - 2:59pm
Manufacture Year
1940
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Cresent Moon
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
064511
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
25.4 X 19.05
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

 I originally thought this was a 1940 Ambassador. Another member pointed out that it matches the ad for a 1941 Commodore. The 10 AE movement has a crescent moon, but also below it is a lighter impression of the circle with two (Bunny) ears.

The case back has a serial number of 064511 and inside the upper case is the Roman Numerals V I I.

I wonder if this was a 1938 made movement that was later sold as a 1940 watch?

The crystal is cracked. I have a new (old stock) crystal, I plan to put on it.

Bulova watch-1928 Ambassador
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Gordonblan
Posted March 6, 2015 - 6:54am

There was engraving all around the outside of the dial. Outside of the numbers. A railroad track pattern?? It is slightly more visible on the top. I am not sure if it is tarnished, faded or gone, but there is some spotting all over the dial.

The crystal is intact but has a crack in it.

jabs
Posted March 6, 2015 - 10:01am

really looks as Commodore, ad from 1941

Gordonblan
Posted March 6, 2015 - 10:07am

 I agree. Perhaps there was a 1940 model. I was unable to find any Commodores on the members watches page to compare, but the engraving on the side of the case in this Ad matches mine more than the Alden does.

William Smith
Posted March 6, 2015 - 10:04pm

I'm not sure the lugs are different.  We have maybe two other ads for this model Commodore w/i a year or two of posted ad (and subject watch) and I thought it looked like a pretty good match, based on all three of the Commodore ads.  I'll try to place a link to the other two Commodore ads below.

1941 Spanish Ad Commodore.                                            1942 ad Commodore
 

William Smith
Posted March 6, 2015 - 12:34pm

Can you double check the case serial number?  Based on the photo of inside case back, I'd think there is a seven digit serial number on the case.
Commodore looks like a match.  The lugs in ad may match your discruption of "the lugs look welded on".

William Smith
Posted March 6, 2015 - 4:22pm

Thanks...I had been wondering if the first number or last number had been worn off.  Sounds like the - is stamped at the beginning of the string, perhaps where a number should have been, and this gives the total number of 7 charactors in the serial number.  

Geoff Baker
Posted March 7, 2015 - 6:19am

Hello Gordon, welcome to myBulova. It is unusual but not unheard of to have a two year gap between the date codes. Here's a link to the one Commodore we have in the dB from this era

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1943-commodore-5790

At this time I'm inclined to go along with a Commodore ID.