Bulova 1943 Watertite

Submitted by Stinky_Sullivan on February 19, 2024 - 12:00pm
Manufacture Year
1943
Movement Model
10BA
Movement Date Code
X
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
210
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
G-S PA357 26mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

1943 Bulova Watertite
One piece stainless steel case
210 stamped inside the case
10BA movement
X date code symbol

I have discovered these cases have nothing to identify the year through 1945 at least. The date code on the movement is the only indication of the date. We don’t have examples from 1946 or 1947 at this time. A 2 digit date is found in models from 1948 and later.

1943 Bulova Watertite dial
1943 Bulova Watertite inside case back
1943 Bulova Watertite movement
mybulova_admin
Posted February 22, 2024 - 7:07pm

In reply to by Stinky_Sullivan

Maybve 1943 is right on the cuff of this new version. We see this style coming in as you say mainly from 1945 (other examples on site).

A Bulova Watertite seems correct.

JimDon5822
Posted February 22, 2024 - 10:56am

You bring up a very good point.  It would appear we need to take a good look at these.    I checked ads and seems to find Watertite Watertights seem to be either yellow gold cases or stainless with sub second hands.   Mostly seem to be radium.  I am going to do a deep dive looking back thru ads to see if any other names pops up.   

1955mercury
Posted February 23, 2024 - 7:40am

In reply to by JimDon5822

Please take another look at the one referenced as being NOS. Specifically, look at the dial. I think I'm seeing a "v" notch cut in it under the "6" position. In the minutes track, the "5" and the "40" don't appear to be stamped very good. Then look at the "seconds" track at the "15" minute and the "45" minute section. At the "15" minute mark the seconds track is touching the "15". At the "45" seconds mark the track appears to be further away than anywhere else on the dial. I think this could be a refinished dial. Would that rule it out as being NOS? If so, can we be 100% sure that's the original hang tag? 

mybulova_admin
Posted February 24, 2024 - 8:10pm

In reply to by JimDon5822

Also the case for the Commander is different from th subject and other Watertite examples, I don't disagree that the Commander is an incorrect call on that referenced wach, but don't think it's a match for this subject watch (case wise).