Bulova 1941 Pocket Watch

Submitted by SgtJCJ on June 23, 2014 - 9:57pm
Manufacture Year
1941
Movement Model
17AE
Movement Date Code
Asterisk
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
0010114
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

There are actually 3 symbols, omega, shield and an asterisk.  I have no idea what model it is. I cannot find one with a black face around this age. Any help would be appreciated. 

SgtJCJ 1941 Bulova Pocket watch 09 02 2014.jpg
1941 Bulova watch
1941 Bulova watch
1941 Bulova watch
William Smith
Posted June 26, 2014 - 12:46pm

Isn't Black the "favorite" redial color  if not done as original?  
I'm going "Unknown" for now.  The 21 jewels will help eventually.

SgtJCJ
Posted June 26, 2014 - 12:50pm

I posted this a minute or two ago, buit it looks like it may have gotten lost in cyberspace.  My wife asked if a watch, or movement, went back to the factory for service or repair, is it possible that it was restamped with a date code?

bobbee
Posted June 26, 2014 - 1:40pm

What I find unusual is the stamped date marks. The Omega sign is not like the one we know, the one that looks more like an ant's head to me. This one is like a real omega sign, and is seen on the movement on the white dialled example posted earlier too. 

Reverend Rob
Posted June 26, 2014 - 2:16pm

They wouldn't go back to the factory for repair, that would be done at an Authorized Bulova Repair Centre, and they certainly wouldn't be adding date stamps for any reason I can think of. 

And yes, Black is the go-to colour for re-dialling. I always look long and close at Black dials.

SgtJCJ
Posted June 26, 2014 - 3:18pm

What indicators would I look for to see if it has been refinished black?  Would the underside of the dial still have white remnants?  Or does the entire dial, front and back, get new porcelain? Or is a whole new dial obtained?

bobbee
Posted June 26, 2014 - 3:22pm

I wouldn't worry about it. It looks original to me, 1940's "crisp" finish to the tracks on the dial and sub-dial.

Geoff Baker
Posted June 27, 2014 - 5:40am

First off - excellent photography on the date codes - well done. I agree with Bob - the 'omega' doesn't look like the standard stamp Bulova used. Not unheard of that multiple date code skip a year.

Following is pure speculation - no facts to go on. Pocket watch not being big movers, Bulova has enough movement to last for something over two years OR this one got lost in a shuffle and resurfaced and was re-marked and put in a case. Odd looking omega might still be a 1940 designator.

Black dial is not a concern to me, I rather like it. I do think the record date should be changed to 1941.

bobbee
Posted June 27, 2014 - 9:26am

Excellent speculative "ideas" Geoff, but that odd omega has thrown me, especially as it is used in that white-dialled example. We don't see it anywhere else, so maybe it is particular to this p/w model?

SgtJCJ
Posted June 27, 2014 - 9:29am

I wasn't sure if the date should be the earlier or later date, based on the symbols. Will update accordingly. 

I wasn't sure where to ask this but, I have noticed in both Bulovas and others, scratch marks under the back plate. Usually numbers &/or letters. Does anybody know why they are there?  Codes by individuals servicing the watch over the years?

Reverend Rob
Posted June 27, 2014 - 10:18am

During assembly, especially in the old days, the watches were hand fitted and the pieces had to be kept together, so they were scribed with various identifiers, most commonly the last three of the serial number. You will also find separate numbers for cases, and these are sometimes scribed with Roman numerals, which may relate to either the other case parts, or the movt itself. 

I have seen two sets of serial numbers on the Hudson Maxims, and the underside numbers will match each other when the movt is all original. No idea why they had two serials, though.