Hinged Yellow Gold Case measures 36mm lug to lug x 25.5mm wide non inclusive of the Crown using Calipers. Original Butler finish Dial shows Radium Arabic numerals, Bulova signature is applied Gilt and tracks are printed Black. Hour and Minute Hands are 'Cathedral style' and a Modern style Seconds Hand appears on a sub Dial partially obscuring the 6. A dust shield and Gold retaining ring appears over the Movement. Movement block is Gold. Crown is original. Caseback is stamped as shown. * Year of manufacture based on Case seriel number.
Stephen,
Yes.
Bulova Quality - upper arched.
Pat. Jan 1927 - lower arched.
1087027 - lower arched.
In that order, no indication of case construction.
I have to pick up a couple of watches today from the watchmaker, I'm going to take this in for a closer look at the movement onfo.
admin,
The case is very similar to the Gladiator of the same period, as Wayne mentioned the only stepped case in Bulova's line at the time, apart from the glass opening which Wayne mentioned again is identical to the Lone Eagle III's and the vertical carvings pattern which is identical to the Lone Eagle II.
The watch's design in general is identical to the Lone Eagle III, minus the horizontal carving enhancement and the vertical pattern difference, which is identified and previously mentioned as Lone Eagle II.
Q: When was the first LE III produced, I'm also wondering if the Gladiator appeared post that date?
It's looking very possible that the Gladiator was transitioned into the Lone Eagle III much like the Conqueror was to the original Lone Eagle prior, even more so if the Gladiator model discontinued production as the Lone Eagle III's began. This unnamed design being the link. 2 + 2
*1/3/2011
Movement is a definately 10AN 21 Jewel 6 adjustments, no serial #, no datecode visible.
Left to Right: 1930 Gladiator - Unknown/Unnamed model - 1931 Lone Eagle.
I do appreciate the wealth of knowledge being shared by the admin and members of the site on this.
ML.
In reply to admin, The case is very by FifthAvenueRes…
And I show the same crystals for BOTH a "Gladiator," and the "LE 3..." (Plus the Allerton and Edwin...)
AND the LE No. 1 and 1st Gladiator took the same crystals... Perhaps there is ALSO a Gladiator 2 then... that??? (OK... now that's a S T R E T C H ?!)
:-) Scott
In reply to admin, The case is very by FifthAvenueRes…
Watch on the left is not a Gladiator. Pictured below is the 1930 Gladiator. On the right is a 1931 Lone Eagle III. At a glance the crystals don't look like a match as stated in comment above.
I also doubt that Bulova would name a watch Atherton in the same group as the Gladiator & Lone Eagle.
In reply to ML Left to Right above 1st by Wayne Hanley
Thanks for pointing that out Wayne, although the Dial / Hand combination on the watch You show would more likely be 1931 or later model as it is inconsistent with the Sept 1930 Bulova ad shown and a 1930 Gladiator on file in the database. 1930 Gladiator would have luminous numerals not raised Gilt. IMO
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1930-gladiator-791
Back to square one.
Mark
The Gladiator was only produced in 1930. In 1930 Bulova provided a choice of dials with luminous numbers & hands, along with several of the same models with applied gold colored numbers. I have a 1930 Sky King with applied gold numbers in the database. Heres is a 1930 Banker with the dressier look. Same thing in 1931, I have a Sky King & a Lone Eagle series III with applied numbers in the data base. We are learning heaps about Bulova watches. Let's all keep an open mind.
Wayne
In reply to Mark The Gladiator was only by Wayne Hanley