Signed 4x Dated 2x Circular Stainless Steel Case with Scalloped bezel measures 40mm lug to lug x 30.5 mm wide non inclusive of the Crown while using Calipers. Original Black Dial shows Silver applied Arabic numerals at 3, 6 , 9 and 12, applied Silver Dauphine Arrow tips with luminous accent the remainder. Dial Center is Phonograph textured, Bulova logo, Seconds track, 23 Jewel and Selfwinding insignias are printed White. Hour and Minute Hands are Silver Alpha style with luminous along with a Modern style sweep Center Seconds Hand. Stainless Steel Caseback stamped L9 screws on. Waterproof Crown is signed Bulova. Original Bracelet is Kreisler. U.S.A. made 23 Jewel Selfwinding Automatic Chronograph, 6 Adjustments, Heat- Cold- Isochronism- 3 Positions. Railroad grade.
The time keeping capabilities of the 23 J Bulova movement were of precision equal to or greater than Railroad grade at the time.
There is no mention of the Bulova '23' being RR graded or approved, if You find documentation to the contrary please let Me know as I will list it as 'Railroad approved'.
In reply to Railroad approved: A Watch by FifthAvenueRes…
The way I understood it, each individual time piece was tested to standards, not just a particular group of movements or watches. To be Railroad Grade means to have been specifically tested as such, and then so marked to indicate such testing was done. It is entirely likely that this movement and watch combo would meet those standards, however on a site dedicated to the PROPER identification of watches, to state so without it being marked or documented, discredits the intent of of this site, and takes from the value of a properly marked and documented Railroad Grade watch...
In reply to Either way, Sweet find Fifth. by bourg01
Railroad specs, with few exceptions, required FIVE position adjustments, in addition to heat/cold and isochronism, as well as the ability to run within 30 seconds/week. Calling it 'Railroad Grade' is pushing it, and in a way cheapens what 'Railroad Grade' really meant - a much mroe rigorous set of standards than most normal watches of the time could meet.
The other question would be where the extra 6 jewels (over the standard 17) are. RR standards requiring 19 jewel or higher refer to 17 standard jewels plus cap-jeweling the escape wheel, whereas most automatics have 17 jewels in the time train and 0 - 10 (or more) in the autowind works.
Like the old cigaret ad 'It's not how long you make it, it's how my make it long' - just replace 'long' with 'multijeweled'
(Sorry - I used to collect Railroad watches).
But as bourg01 says, it is a beauty! A beautiful piece, especially with the original bracelet! I love those leather/gold expansion bracelets from that era!
In reply to Railroad specs, with few by Elgin Doug
In reply to Specs when I worked for the by shooter144