Bulova 1953 -Non-Conforming

Submitted by JCDvintage on June 8, 2020 - 8:13pm
Manufacture Year
1953
Movement Model
7AA
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
H717959
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Crystal details
not original crystal - 17.4x21.6mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This watch has "10k R.G.P" stamped on the side below 6 o'clock. The 7AA movement stamped L3 puts this watch at a 1953. Almost all of the gold plating is gone, I believe it was chemically stripped off when the watch was left for dead due to a mangled hairspring and no crystal. I have since repaired the hairspring so it at least runs, and cut a new acrylic crystal for it. I wasn't able to find much on this dial, I believe it was referred to as Harlequinn? I saw some adverts from 1953 branding this chequered dial as a "park lane" but I do not know Bulova's well and need help. Caseback is stainless, along with the band. The case serial number I listed are the only numbers I could find on the case back, which I found inscribed very faintly on the inside, so they could be servicing marks.

Missing small seconds hand, It spent a lot of time without a crystal and it shows.
The band reads "Duchess Stainless"
Seems to be a simple case as far as Bulova's go
Master Stainless back USA
7AA L3 movement, running
June 4, 1953 advertisement showing checkered dial as "park lane"
JCDvintage
Posted June 8, 2020 - 8:37pm

Also, lug width: 16mm, lug tip to lug tip height: 39mm, width without crown: 22mm

mybulova_admin
Posted June 8, 2020 - 9:02pm

Movement and dial are from the Bulova Park Lane, but your case is not original and the caseback has been replaced with a non Bulova replacement.

When we have a watch like this we ID it as non-conforming.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 8, 2020 - 9:21pm

Welcome to mybulova and thanks for sharing. Agreed, case and back are non-Bulova replacements with a Park Lane movement and face. Nice save getting it functional again. Wear it and enjoy it.

1953 Non-Conforming.

Kathy L.
Posted June 9, 2020 - 4:12pm

Welcome to myBulova!  Yes I am in agreement with Non-Conforming.

JimDon5822
Posted June 9, 2020 - 6:26pm

Welcome.   It was common in the 1950's to sell replacement kits for Bulova Watches.   With many cases being gold filled and hard working Americans working during the boom years case got beat up fairly quickly.  Jewelry stores had racks of replacement cases for different model Bulova movements.  Many also had replacement dials with the works Movement under the word Bulova.  Love the checkerboard dial.  
 

1953 Non-Conforming.