I would like to know more about this watch. It belonged to my grandfather. There are some additional numbers etched into the inside of the case. Not sure what these mean. The best I can make out, they read 0178461-F with 3-05 underneath that. And 44012 underneath the stamped Bulova lettering.
In reply to The BULOVA "SURGEON..." And by WatchCrystals.net
In reply to Thanks. Would you have a by cko
Hey CKO.... as William said, it's a Bulova Surgeon also known as the "Doctor's Watch". It was one of the first ones to have a large second's hand. It's called the Surgeon aka Doctor because it was mainly targeted towards physician's and hospital staff needing the large second's hand for timing a pulse I assume.
Here's a link I started about them. There are a few variants.....
Great watch to have from your grandfather! One of the more rare Bulova watches, but priceless for you I'm assuming. That's actually how I started looking at these old Bulova's... my grandfathers watch passed to me was a 1940 Bulova Banker....
In reply to Hey CKO.... as William said, by plainsmen
Plainsmen, thanks for the info. It is exciting to learn more about this watch. I looked at the link you provided. Do you think that the leather band is what this watch would have come with originally? Now I realize that I'm missing the second hand. Otherwise, it works great and I wear it daily. For me, it serves as a connection to the past, which in my view is more and more important in this digitized world.
In reply to Plainsmen, thanks for the by cko
I haven't found a picture of an original ad for the watch but I'm betting it was a leather band. If you think about the comfort aspect... if you were a doctor or a nurse, working long hours, doing very hands on stuff... I'm assuming you'd want a leather band. A metal band would be bulky, get caught on things, and just be uncomfortable to wear during long hours.
These were working peoples watches.... I'd say we're probably spot on with the leather bands.
In reply to Hi CKO - I have one of these by 1939noel
Sir, thanks for your note. Fortunately the watch is running fine. What could be accomplished with restoration? The face certainly shows it's age. I am also curious to know what type of band it would have come with originally. When it came to me it had a gold colored metal band. The type that easily expands. I still have it but was concerned about its integrity so switched to a replacement.
In reply to I'll post another photo of by cko
Be careful cko... this vintage Bulova thing can become rediculously addicting!! Two months ago I had my grandfather's 1940 watch..... now I have like 7 vintage Bulova's and I'm learning more and more about them every day!
They seem so... substantial in this day and age of a throw away everything society you know? These watches are 50-80 years old at times and many STILL WORK!!
I hate to quote Obi-Wan but they seem to be "An elagant weapon for a more civilized age." to me. Something just real and salt of the earth type of feel for me.
I really dig these old deco watches...