Bulova 1945 Navigator

Submitted by mirtlem on October 23, 2014 - 12:43pm
Manufacture Year
1945
Movement Model
8AH
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
4422332
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Believe this to be a 1945 Navigator. Dial is in rough shape, otherwise it's really fine.

Looks the same as http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1943-navigator-5216

Mike

mirtlem 45 Navigator 0141114
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
mirtlem
Posted November 3, 2014 - 9:48pm

1945 (triangle) on movement. Will update with new pics when I get a chance.

Mike

Geoff Baker
Posted November 4, 2014 - 5:54am

In reply to by mirtlem

Mike - Remember, it's really the case s/n that's going to determine the year on this one. Please add that too?

mirtlem
Posted November 4, 2014 - 3:18pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Updated.

Geoff, if you could point me to the discussion that outlines how you can use the case s/n to help determine the year, that would be great. Anything that helps make an informed decision on whether to pull the trigger on an auction would be great. Thanks!

Mike

Geoff Baker
Posted November 5, 2014 - 5:42am

In reply to by mirtlem

Not sure Mike, where exactly that is. In a nutshell we decided a couple years back that pre case dating ( date coded case backs), the leading digit of the serial probably indicates the year of manufacture. At the same time we debated how to handle date codes that didn't match. Your watch for example has a '45 movement in what we think is a '44 case. Inasmuch as the difference between '44 & '45 is one day we assume the newer of the two, meaning this is a 1945 watch. When we find more than a year or two we generally go with the case and wonder if the movement was swapped out at some point in the past. I must also state that this theory falls apart in watches  older than 1924. 

mirtlem
Posted November 5, 2014 - 8:11am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

That makes a ton of sense, thanks Geoff. I am assuming that once Bulova started putting date codes on the cases, this method becomes unnecessary? Or does it still provide some clues? 

Mike

mirtlem
Posted November 4, 2014 - 2:58pm

Updated with new pics and info.

Mike

Geoff Baker
Posted November 5, 2014 - 5:45am

Based on 1945 dating I would say Navigator

Andersok
Posted November 5, 2014 - 9:44am

I would also agree with 1945 Navigator

William Smith
Posted November 9, 2014 - 12:36pm

Yep 1945 Navigator (w/ 1944 case and 1945 movement).  Both those dates fit the Navigator vs Minute Man senario.