Bulova 1946 -Non-Conforming

Submitted by windycitykitty on September 1, 2021 - 11:05am
Manufacture Year
1946
Movement Model
7AK
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
6865763
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This watch looks exactly like the Academy Award W watch, however, it is 14k Gold. It is marked on the inside of the watch case. 14k also appears on the outside of the case, however it is worn, as are the serial numerals. I acquired it years ago, inside of an Academy Awards Bulova box. PS I am unsure of the exact year, but it was required for submission. PPS The serial number is worn and it might be inaccurate.

windycitykitty1
windycitykitty2
windycitykitty3
windycitykitty1
windycitykitty
Posted September 1, 2021 - 11:22am

More details I forgot to add
It looks like the Academy Award Y case with the Academy Award W face/dial.
Also the crown looks to be a replacement, but the gold matches the gold of the rest of the case.
Thanks for any further info you can provide.
 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 1, 2021 - 1:33pm

Welcome to mybulova, Cool watch, thanks for sharing it. I don't find a case match for Academy Award. Production started in 1949 and as far as I know, they all had a 2 digit date code stamp on the back cover. The same with the movement. I think I am seeing a square stamp on your movement, which would indicate the movement was produced in 1946. Case s/n is hard to decipher, but looks in photo like it begins with a 6 (also 1946).

I find ads that appear to show your casing in solid gold used in 1946 for Craftsman and Tuxedo, the determination between the two was the band, Tuxedo on a gold band and Craftsman on a leather strap. It appears that your watch might be one of those with a dial substitution from an Academy Award. I'm not an expert on  the AAward line and still looking at this point. Awaiting other panel members comments, but am inclined to say it's a 1946 Craftsman (as presented on leather band) case and movement with an Academy Award Dial.

windycitykitty
Posted September 1, 2021 - 5:46pm

Thank you for the warm greeting. I have been a member for a while, this is my first post. 
So I am guessing, based on your helpful information, that this was probably done "after market"?
Thank you most kindly for your help, it is much appreciated.
 

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 1, 2021 - 6:32pm

In reply to by windycitykitty

Yes, my thoughts are it's a replacement dial by a jeweler or other private person as a repair or maybe to make the watch more desirable to sell. It is an attractive combination, especially being solid gold. Be patient, I'm sure other Panel Members will comment. :o)

Geoff Baker
Posted September 1, 2021 - 9:15pm

Well, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck and LOOKS like a duck, it's a......

1950 Bulova Academy Award I - I think the first for the dB

1950 Academy Award I

Full Advert HERE

Here's my thought. It's the worst possible resolution on the advert BUT - the case looks right, the dial looks right, it's 14k solid gold AND it comes in an AA presentation case. I would like to see a better face on and side view photo as well as both sided on the strap ( could it be original?) The only question I have - Am I reading the variant correctly? (I)

PS - Email me full size additional photos as noted if you can? I can add them and resize if necessary. [email protected]

neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 1, 2021 - 9:30pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I looked at that AA ad, and it looks to me like the lugs in the ad are recessed a bit, exposing the case corners, most evident in lower right corner, or that may be resolution?. Also a problem with the date.

aasnip1

windycitykitty
Posted September 2, 2021 - 8:18am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Oh, forgot to add that the band is not original, so I did not send photos.

windycitykitty
Posted September 2, 2021 - 8:05am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Thank you so much.  I have emailed the extra photos as requested.
Best, WindyCityKitty

Geoff Baker
Posted September 1, 2021 - 9:18pm

Oh - one more thing. All the Academy Award watches were dated 1950-1953. I can't quite read the date code on the movement so I put it at 1950

JimDon5822
Posted September 1, 2021 - 10:24pm

Quite an interesting watch,  The dial in the ad does not match either.   The 12 3 9 on the watch vs Even markers in the ad.  Case and movement are 1946 so I am inclined to think this was a replaced dial and I might ad a great improvement.  Seems to be 1946 Craftsman with replaced dial or unknown variant of the Tuxedo/Craftsman line.