Bulova 1943 Medico

Submitted by Kathy L. on August 11, 2018 - 3:01am
Manufacture Year
1943
Movement Model
10BA
Movement Date Code
X
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
4018039
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Domed Round
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hello,  I picked up this watch to go with my nurse type watches.  It is 10K rolled gold plate with a sterling base and stainless back.  This seems to be a 1943 combo for the war effort.  I didn't notice the damage on the dial in the listing but it isn't too horrible.  I didn't want to open the watch with the radium so using a few of the sellers photos with permission.  So what are your thoughts?  A nurse watch or maybe a practitioner with the lumed military style dial?  A ladies or mens watch?  It has a 14mm lug width which I have seen on both.  I didn't find an ad to match so it might be another unknown.  Thanks.

1943 Bulova watch
1943 Bulova watch
1943 Bulova watch
1943 Bulova watch
1943 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
Geoff Baker
Posted August 12, 2018 - 8:20am

I'm a bit jaded when I see one of these. After SO MANY seem to have been faked (I use that work broadly) I unfortunately assume every one is.  So here's my two cents:

This is a war period case because of it's sterling base, perhaps 1944 by s/n. The movement is period correct to 1943. Air Wardens and Nighthawks have sub seconds, the Practitioner has sweep seconds but seems to have been white dialed only. 

I think this is a 1944 watch but I wonder if it's been redialed. Having said that the dial looks so original that I don't think it was.

My jury is still out but I sure do like the watch!

Kathy L.
Posted August 12, 2018 - 11:58pm

Have you seen this particular model watch faked a lot or just this era black face type?

Reverend Rob
Posted August 18, 2018 - 11:09am

That sweep second hand is not original, I'd wager.

EDIT: The sweep does match another watch in the db, so strike that.

jabs
Posted August 13, 2018 - 5:14am

we have the Air Warden with the same type of dial in the database, of course, these watches are the wrong second hand

watch would have dated to 1944 according to the case number

for me is 1944 Bulova Air Warden

Kathy L.
Posted August 13, 2018 - 10:49am

Interesting!  I wouldn't have even thought about it being an Air Warden.  It does seem to match that watch.  I will try and take a better photo of the dial.  I don't want to take it apart because of the radium.

Kathy L.
Posted August 13, 2018 - 11:25am

Here is a closer photo of the face.  Having a hard time getting a good photo with glare on the crystal.

jabs
Posted August 13, 2018 - 1:25pm

Here is a comparison of these two watches and I think the dial is the same

Kathy L.
Posted August 13, 2018 - 2:58pm

I think my crystal is more domed which is making it look a bit different.  But yes they look the same to me, mine is not in as nice of a contition.  Probably a replacement crown as well.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 13, 2018 - 4:24pm

1944 Bulova Air Warden gets my vote. Good detective work Jabs!