Here is a bit of a curiosity, Case s/n dated 1940 and movement dated 1937. This appears to me to be a late date Biarritz. We currently have 3 of these in the database, all are dated 1937. The case back configuration differs, as does the face. I suspect this is a matter of production date. This seems pretty late to me for the long style with curved back (and no seconds hand). The latest ads I find are dated 1938.
Jim, take note this is as I received it and it sports a beads of rice band like yours.
In reply to I doubt that Bulova would… by Geoff Baker
I guess if we go with the 'Biarritz" ID we have to accept that both the case and dial designs changed in the 1940 version, if we date this case accordingly.
I agree that the case bezel style is a match to the other Biarritz examples and with Bulova anything is possilbe re tweaking the case design for a number of reasons.
I'm still at unknown due to the two main difference mentioned above, but would really like others to also provide their thoughts on how to deal with this watch.
The case back difference is also an indicator that the case itself is different, to state the obvious. This either means a variant or a different model.
The span in years of the movement shows a swap, (I agree the dial probably came with the swap) but of course this is also very common, these watches were worn and enjoyed for many years.
I see this all the time even with modern watches, sometimes the band is gone within the first year or two, and crystals break, crowns get damaged....
I'm at unknown on this one, or more precisely unconfirmed, maybe?