What year is this Bulova B II Movement?

Submitted by OldTicker on November 30, 2010 - 11:28pm

I was going through a box of my summers Estate finds and came across this old Bulova movement.

It is marked Bulova W.Co. B II 15J 3 Adj. Swiss and has a triangle with a 9 inside. 1919? 1929?

The Dial is unmarked, but in very good condition. It was in a parts tin with the Sapphire crown. The stem was broken off in the crown and I managed to remove it and thread it on what remained of the stem.

I gave it a few turns an it started running!

Is it a Pocket watch movement? (note the position of the stem) It is about the size of a 6/0 and fit in a old Keystone transition case I  have. Note the numbers below the dial...

.

I tried to enlarge the date symbol the best I could

Looks at home in this old case!

I was going to add it to the Movement Section, but I am unsure of the correct year... Need some expert advice!

Thanks,

Greg

OldTicker
Posted December 1, 2010 - 12:01am

Here is a better picture of the date stamp

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 1, 2010 - 4:13am

Ladies pendant/pocket watch movement, hence the size and Sapphire Crown. I don't think what's highlighted is the date stamp, the date stamp looks like it's located at the 10 O'clock position from the screw head visible at the bottom of the last photograph? 1927

bourg01
Posted December 1, 2010 - 6:41am

Hi All,

Bulova didn't consistantly put the date stamp in the same spot so it can be found most anywhere on the movement. This one looks like the triangle which would make it 1926. Mark is right on at 1927 if it's a square.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 1, 2010 - 11:02am

Shawn, the Triangle highlighted has a numeral stamped into the center, a #9, something I personally have never witnessed on a Bulova date code stamp before (?) also the Triangle is irregular in shape another date code feature I'm unfamiliar with. I believe the Square showing is the date code on this particular movement.

OldTicker
Posted December 1, 2010 - 1:48pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

Hi Mark,

I think the Square you are seeing is part of the Regulator Index on the Balance Cock.

Here is a better picture

The Triangle makes sense, 1926, or could it be 1916?  Is there a set of symbols for pre 1924?

If anyone has a old parts book with the B II movement listed that might help narrow it down.

I have never seen a ladies Pendent watch with a Sapphire crown, they always look like this

I have seen quite a few of the early transitionals that look like this with a Sapphire crown.

Don't you just love Mysteries!!

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 1, 2010 - 2:37pm

OT,

My mistake and apologies to Shawn You are both correct, The old magnifying glass reveals indeed that is a Triangle date stamp of 1926 with a # 9 stamped below. Yes, a good  'whodunnit' all is part of the fun! 

The Asterisk in 1924 being  the first known symbol used for production dates.

Stephen Ollman
Posted December 3, 2010 - 12:11am

Chances are this is a pre 1924 movement. I don't think the triangle does relate to the date code in this particular instance, the 9 next to it indicates something else.

My best guess 1922-23.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 3, 2010 - 11:50am

The triangle highlighted appears isoscales, all the date codes I have seen are equilateral.

OldTicker
Posted December 5, 2010 - 12:39pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

Mark,

The Triangle is equilateral, but it looks like the die was at a slight angle when struck, the bottom left corner is not fully there.

I've been searching the net for more info on the B II movement but no luck yet...