Bulova 1946 Golden Eagle

Submitted by Carmela on February 5, 2023 - 3:40pm
Manufacture Year
1946
Case Serial No.
23659
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This was my grandfather's watch.  He immigrated to the US from Italy in 1921. I doubt he would have had money to buy a gold watch until the 40s, so I'm thinking this watch is from the 40s or 50s. The serial # is only 5 digits which doesn't make sense from what I am seeing about Bulova serial #s, so I am wondering if this is a fake? Seems like a lot of effort to fake a watch. My grandfather died in 1978, I have had the watch since then. It works. I never saw him wear it, so maybe it was only for very special occasions? I'm curious to what model and year it is. And of course if it's actually a Bulova watch. I took it to a jeweller and he said it was not the original band and recommended that I change it to a non-metal band. That was about all he knew. I don't know how to open it so I don't want to take any chances with damaging it. Sorry I don't have a pic of the inside. Any info would be appreciated. Thank you!

This is the front face of the watch.
This is the back of the case with the serial #.
This is the side with the button.
plainsmen
Posted February 6, 2023 - 12:36am

At first glance I want to say a late 1940's Bulova" Golden Eagle".  I can't post a picture of rhe ad from my phone.

 

mybulova_admin
Posted February 6, 2023 - 6:18am

Plains, can you reference an advert.

The only one that is close is the 1946 version shown below.

1946 Bulova Golden Eagle

Geoff Baker
Posted February 6, 2023 - 8:51pm

Price would indicate solid gold. I'm a little hesitant to ID a 1940 watch based on a 1946 year difference with the advert stating "New" though.

Geoff Baker
Posted February 7, 2023 - 9:15pm

Panel? Any thoughts?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 9, 2023 - 8:28am

Solid gold watches didn't seem to get a lot of ad space. Serial number is of no help in dating watch, as it's likely the first number is the one missing that should have been stamped prior to assembly. That said, watch needs to be dated by movement.

Date of 1940 is at this point a guess, therefore it may very well be a 1946 , 1947 or 1948 watch; falling into the s/n or 2 digit date stamp on case transition area.   Any year date past the ad date could also explain the dial difference from ad. Seeing the movement date stamp and jewel count would be of great help.

At this point with available info, my vote is

Golden Eagle (date to be determined)

If seeing the movement is not an option, my opinion is to date the watch to the ad (1946) which is a better logical guess than 1940.

 

Kathy L.
Posted February 9, 2023 - 4:38pm

I don't think we have enough info to accurately date the watch but I am ok with going with the ad date for now as well noting that the date is unknown for certain.

1946 Bulova Golden Eagle 

Carmela
Posted February 12, 2023 - 12:27am

Thank you. If I can get an experienced person to open it, I will take a photo and post it. I appreciate your help!