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
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FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 3, 2011 - 8:50am

We see Model variants associated with Bracelets vs Straps (band type) throughout the Years, this is why nailing down an exact variant  is difficult.

A watch on a Leather strap matching an ad for an identical Watch named variant 'C' which is shown on a matching Bracelet cannot be the variant 'C' as the Bracelet configuration is likely the reason for the given variant letter - in this scenerio the variant ID is best left alone and the Watch simply be given the generic Model Name.

Wayne Hanley
Posted October 3, 2011 - 1:01pm

According to previous comments in this string. e.g. If I buy a black dial white gold Tuxedo & it doesn't have the original band, it can't be a Tuxedo. Bullhockey! Throughout the years in Bulova ads, especially department store catalogs, buyers are given a choice of bands for watches, but it doesn't change the name of the watch. The are also give the choice of case material. I as a collector would buy a Tuxedo without a band and would strive to find a band that resembles the ad, not because if it doesn't have the band it wouldn't be authentic. The watch is still a Tuxedo.

The shape/design of the four watches in ads on the previous page are all the same. The difference is in the material & color. In other words. e.g. If the bezels were all spray painted & dried side-by-side they would look the same. The shape differences previously mentioned are optical illusions. Lookiing at the previous comments you are making things more difficult to come up with an authentic ID. Keep it simple, the ads are what they are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 3, 2011 - 1:36pm

The ads are what they are Wayne,

'TUXEDO' is shown sold on a solid 14k Gold Bracelet, priced at $225.

'CRAFTSMAN' is shown sold on a Leather strap, priced $125.

According to the ads the Watches are identical, except for the strap they are sold on.

If You were to have bought a 'TUXEDO' in the late 40's and through the Years replaced the 14k Gold bracelet it came with for a Leather strap You are left with what was called a 'CRAFTSMAN'.

The 14k Gold Bracelet is adding cost (and value) to the 'TUXEDO' over the 'CRAFTSMAN'. The Watches themselves are the same, the bracelet is the only identifying factor between the 2 - according to the ads.

{*'AMBASSODOR' is eliminated from the equasion, its Case is not solid 14k}

Wayne Hanley
Posted October 3, 2011 - 2:18pm

Fifth

I quote:

"According to the ads the Watches are identical, except for the strap they are sold on."

"If You were to have bought a 'TUXEDO' in the late 40's and through the Years replaced the 14k Gold bracelet it came with for a Leather strap You are left with what was called a 'CRAFTSMAN'."

The dials on the Tuxedo is different from the Craftsman!! Check the seconds bit! The color is different. The dial & case determine the name of a watch!

1946 Bulova

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 3, 2011 - 2:27pm

Wayne,

I'd mentioned the 2 toning to the 'TUXEDO' Dial in a prior post, that notion was struck down, but I agree the sub-Seconds Dials are notably different which is an identifiable factor.

Good point.

shooter144
Posted October 3, 2011 - 8:06pm

I do understand what Fifth is saying, but unfortunately as with everything Bulova, nothing is written in stone. This logic applies to some but not all models it seems.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 4, 2011 - 2:03am

The strap or bracelet used being a variant Wayne, We see it across the board.

'TUXEDO' was also offered on Leather -  fine print 1946.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 4, 2011 - 6:13am

All. once again I agree wity everything we are saying about the braclet aspect, but what we all seem to be missing is the potential that we are overlooking something simple....that being when the watches were actually released.

Again....my question....is it possible that the Craftsmen pre-dated the Tuxdeo?

 If so then that's what we should be IDing these watches on....the date....expecially the ones that do not have an authentic band.

So to summarise...if the above watch had the 'Tuxedo' band it'd be a Tuxedo.....but as it is without the original band its a Craftsmen....Is that what the majority of members think?

Pabel members please cast you vote.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted October 4, 2011 - 7:09am

"The dial & case determine the name of a watch!"  

Case, Dial and Movement Wayne.

 

As in any ID the production date of the Watch is important, which We don't have.

The ad I show for 'TUXEDO' above is dated 1946 as is the ad for the 'CRAFTSMAN'.

The sub Dial showing on the 'CRAFTSMAN' ad is a match.