Bulova 1940 Craftsman

Submitted by joe on September 25, 2011 - 3:32pm
Manufacture Year
1940
Movement Model
7AP
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
6823990
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I listed everythng about this watch That I could see. Anything else about it I don't know where to look for it or how to lkist it. If anything can help just by looking at the photo I appreciate it as I am trying to find out its worth. I am guessing at at manufacter date around 1950 based on my dad had it in 1948. I am 63 now. I would like to sell it. It is not running. Can anyone help? You can email me at [email protected] Thank you!

UPDATE 10/01/11 I took the wath to one local shop today and he looked at it and told me it was made between 1938 and 1940 as close as he could evaluate. He said tha band is not gold but the watch is and that I could get $500 for it. This coming week I will go to 3 or 4 more places to get an evaluation because I dont know anything about these watches. I will post more updates over the next week or so and then I should be ready to sell if anyone is interested. Thanks to everyone for all your comments. Your knowledge of this item is appreciated. I'll be back! Regards.

UPDATE 10/09/11 I researched this past week and I'm ready to sell this watch. As previously posted the watch is not running and the band is not gold but the watch is. In my research the evaluations were between $400 and $500. I will sell for $500 and out of that I will pay for the shipping insured for the value and signature required by the receiver. If interested call me and I will give you my street mailing address. You can even send me a personal check if you like. i will wait till my bank tells me it has clear and funds are in my account. Then I will ship it to you as stated above. These postings and any emails between us are legal contracts.

Thank you to everyone whose input knowledge has helped me.

I am in Los Angeles at: 818/903-0723 or email me (above) your phone and I will call you.

 

UPDATE 10/22/11 Someone asked for a movement code of some kind. On the inside of the back cover of the watch it says Bulova 7AP 21 Jewels USA Bulova. The watch as previously mentioned is 14K solid gold case. Everything else I know is already listed above. I dont know the model. That has been determined by some of you on this Bulova site who know alot more than I do.

Bulova watch 2011 Sept
Bulova watch
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Bulova Watch
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Bulova Watch
mybulova_admin
Posted October 2, 2011 - 4:05am

Jow can you please advise what is written on the back case for us.

bourg01
Posted October 2, 2011 - 7:06am

I concour on the Craftsman tag.  1946 , 14k Case, Leather Band. Also in 1946, the Tuxedo, Same case with a matching 14 Gold Basket weave band.

Joe, I'd say your jewellers appraisal is on the high side. In mint condition with original band, signed Gold Filled buckle, original boxes (outer and display), price, I'd Tags and guarantee papers is listed at $400.00 in Cooksey Shugart's price guide.

As yours is now, you'd probably get $225.00 to $275.00 on Ebay.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 2, 2011 - 7:30am

This watch could also be the Tuxedo without its original metal band, could it not.

Both the Craftsmen and Tuxedo were about trhe same time, 1946.....later some His Excellent models went on to share the same case design as well but with a different dial.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 2, 2011 - 8:01am

Slight variation to the 'TUX' sub Dial, the ad is showing it as being 2 tone.

OldTicker
Posted October 2, 2011 - 10:33am

Joe,

Make a copy of the date code symbols and take it with you when you have it looked at so we can give this watch the correct year and the 3 star rating it deserves.

 http://www.mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes

mybulova_admin
Posted October 3, 2011 - 3:30am

Ads in the database also show the Tuxedo with a plain dial. Also shown with similar case are the White Gold Tuxedo version and the Rose Gold Ambassador.

Other than the band can any spot any 'real' difference in design, between the Tuxedo and the Craftsman....maybe it was that simple...The Craftsman has a leather band.

Unless its a timing thing.

Craftsmen came out at Christmas 1946 (from the ad which isn't dated so may not be 100% accuracte)

The Tuxedo went on to join the 'His Excellency Group' of watches which continued on for a few years.

So its possible that the Craftsmen pre-dates the Tuxedo by a year.

1946 Bulova

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 3, 2011 - 6:38am

Both ads for the 'TUX' show a 14k Gold Basketweave Bracelet which would warrant the $100 pricing difference between the 3 Models..

'TUXEDO' came on the Bracelet, 'CRAFTSMAN' and 'AMBASSADOR' did not.

One could also argue the 'TUXEDO' as showing a lug variation as its lugs appear faceted, which could simply be an artist rendition or image reproduction issue.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 3, 2011 - 7:25am

I tend to agree with the Craftsmen call but wonder that if this ID is purely down to the lack of the bracelet...would it still be a Craftsmen if the original leather band was replaced with  the gold Tudexo style bracelet.

I'm trying to determine if there was anything else that separates the Craftsmen from the Tuxedo..like the date of release.

It would be great if it was as simple as a difference in the lugs..but I'm not sure that is the case.

So my question then is if this watch had the matching gold braclet we'd be IDing it as a Tuxedo?

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 3, 2011 - 7:40am

Yes. We'd have to admin, with the bracelet the Watch would match the 'TUXEDO' ad.

IMO, I don't think anyone would remove a solid 14k bracelet and replace it with a flex band, the flex band is most likely an upgrade from a worn Leather, or it came on the Watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 3, 2011 - 7:47am

Again I agree, but I just want to float the idea that we are happy to now ID a watch based on its Bracelet, as I'm sure this post will be referenced in the future.