Nice hinged case on a 1931 Bulova... I'm guessing it's a Webster but I don't know as I can't find a Webster prior to 1935. I picked it up looking nasty and barely running for $38.00. My watch pro got the movement running nicely with a cleaning and I did the "exterior" work. I'm liking it now.
Nice looking watch. This one has me a bit puzzled. Movement date is 1931, but the case s/n starts with a "6", which would seem to indicate a date of 1936.
Beginning my preliminary search based on the presumed case date, my initial gut feeling is that this is a 1936 Senator case and face with a replacement 17J movement dated 1931. Like this one
https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1936-senator-6161
Senator in 1936 should be a 15J in this casing. Same with Webster, which it strongly resembles case and face-wise as well. I'm still looking.
It was certainly a deal at the price you paid and a handsome watch.
In reply to Nice looking watch. This one by neetstuf-4-u
In reply to Interesting. Well nuts. I by SgtSwanson
You were right about Webster, but the only one in the Db in this case/face is a 1933 (with a 15J movement). I don't see any difference from the '36 Senator, so it's unlikely Bulova produced 2 watches in the same year so similar.
Hey, if I'm correct; it's no big deal. It's still a beauty and looks correct on the outside, plus it was a deal. We all own at least one ;o)
I'm inclined to think this (mvt replacement) was done a long time ago. Not much thought was put into what collectors would think 80 years in the future. You took your watch to the jeweler because it didn't run and were given the option of "it will cost $XX to replace parts or $x, and I'll replace the movement with a good used one from my shop stock". Make it run, I have $x to spend.
Let's see what the other panel members think. I may be wrong, it's been known to happen..
This watch is Unknown to me but I want to confirm the s/n is from the case back? I differentiate these 1930's step side watches as 'hard' or 'soft' step. This one I would classify as a soft or smooth step. The Senator has a hard (sharp edge) step. Compare these sides of these two and see the hard and the soft I refer to. The second watch (the Princeton) is very close to this subject watch with the exception of the bezel engraving. If not for that difference I think this would be a Princeton. for now I'm sticking with.......
193 (1 or 6?) Unknown. Either way, it is a fine looking watch
In reply to This watch is Unknown to me by Geoff Baker
In reply to Panel - any final thoughts on by Geoff Baker