1940's (?) AIR WARDEN and BLACKOUT models.

Submitted by FifthAvenueRes… on December 8, 2010 - 3:44am

 

Blackout style looks very familiar - 40's 'Senator'

vintagebulova.com
Posted January 19, 2011 - 4:44pm

In reply to by Stephen Ollman

Once again, an example of the Bulova marketing department at work. 

simpletreasures
Posted January 30, 2011 - 11:58am

In reply to by Stephen Ollman

Stephan, It doesn't!!!!!! All I can say is "remember the definition of opinion"...

WatchCrystals.net
Posted January 30, 2011 - 7:01pm

In reply to by Stephen Ollman

Steve,

Because Bulova was a relative (Post WWI) newcomer! (i.e. wasn't in on the Anglo American defense contracting game, just yet...) And all "domestic production" was volenteer (or basically "drafted," as needed) from Singer Sewing Machines (producing model 1911 pistols, alongside Colt and Remington) to Hamilton Seckrons also being used for bomb timers, as well as Doctor's watches! This also included, Gruen, Elgin, Bulova, etc... They all switched over to making mainy Military watches, aeronotical instruments, etc. for the four US Armed Services, in 1942, I presume? War is afterall most profitable, so that's WHY it's BIG BUSINESS, as usual... 

However Bulova was the "new company on the block..." so they didn't get the contracts that Hamilton, Gruen and Elgin did! Hence the continued production of "private" vs. "military" timepieces, during WWII... unlike ay Hamilton, who all but ceased domestic watch production, at the outbreak of the war... That's whatlittle I know... (Search Hamilton, Gruen and Elgin as well... for more info. on US, etc. watch production, during war time eras!

 

My Best :-)

Scott

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted January 17, 2011 - 7:24am

Stephen,

It's not a Military watch, it's a Military themed watch.

Prior to 1941 Americas shores had never been attacked. It was impossible due to restrictions in traveling distances from known enemies. They couldn't get here so Americans were 'comfortable'.

Late in 1941 Japan launched an unprovoked and surprise attack on Pearl Harbour, a Naval Military base in Hawaii which caught everyone by surprise. The U.S. Navy, sitting idle in port was devastated, the civilian population appalled, shocked, scared and angered.

It's My contention that this attack which drew the United States into WWII, and based on public fear, initiated Bulova's production of the Watch's named 'AIR WARDEN' and 'BLACKOUT' as prior to this attack U.S. civilians had no fear or interest in Military themed Watch's.

Do You see the picture being painted?

I also find it very interesting that the newly discovered 1940 ad showing 3 models marketed toward  Military personnel show neither the 'AIR WARDEN' nor the 'BLACKOUT'. If these models were available at that time certainly they would have been included in the 1940 advertisement.

...any thoughts or comments on the Dial variations between the Green watch and the known 'BLACKOUT' shown above?

ML 

 

Wayne Hanley
Posted January 17, 2011 - 3:20pm

In 1940 the United States was heavy into supporting the war effort in Europe & Russia. US Merchant Marines were in the thick this support of the Lend Lease Act. Surely demand was there in 1940, in Europe the US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand. Bulova having watch manufacturing capability in both Switzerland & the US would certainly take advantage of that market. The Blackout name was probably associated with Great Britain, which endured many blackouts during the Battle of Britain in 1940. As the war intensified, Bulova was more into support of the war effort with their expertize in timing devices & other military products.  Check the ads for the years 1943-44-45 very sparce. In the jewelry watches that Bulova did produce during the war years, Sterling Silver was used for base metal. Metals such as nickel was strategic war material.

Wayne

plainsmen
Posted January 17, 2011 - 3:37pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

Support for Wayne's statement can be seen in these 1941 Bulova Ads out of the Montgomery Ward catalog..... supportive military watches which would have probably been BEFORE the Pearl Harbor attack.

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted January 17, 2011 - 5:17pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

Wayne,

A Blackout means 'all lights out' during a raid.

Air Wardens were the outer shore Military personnel watching the skys as spotters to give alert of such attacks as Radar was not that accurate.

The threat of an air`raid was a none existant phenonemon pre- Pearl Harbour in the U.S.

The Military personnel depicted in the Blackout and Air Warden ad is clearly U.S..

Plainsmen,

The 1940 ad has no bearing as the watches shown are obviously marketed directly to Military personnel:

Land, Sea and Air, from left to right, in that order.

Or is it that these 3 models were the only ones available in 1941?

 

We're drifting from the topic at hand Kids, can anyone explain the Color, Dial  and Hand variations from the known original on the Green watch?

*Free tip:  Age has already been debunked.

I could re-post the image if You wish.

ML

Wayne Hanley
Posted January 19, 2011 - 4:34pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

You seem to have the color, dial & hands under control. I hope you answered Stephen's question. What was the original topic? lol

 

Wayne Hanley
Posted January 20, 2011 - 1:57pm

Mark

Your Blackout/Spencer just sold for $102.50

Wayne

plainsmen
Posted January 29, 2011 - 8:47pm

Well boys.... it's going to take some work...  dial, crystal, "wound tight", deep cleaning...

But for $28 bucks.... I got my Air Warden/Nighthawk ! !

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll

mybulova_admin
Posted January 29, 2011 - 9:49pm

Nice!!!

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted February 3, 2011 - 6:43am

Picked this Dial up out of an old Watchmakers bench. Dial is Original, Copper and very similar to the Dial el-ooose posted on Jan 7.

Not clear as to which Model it's for at this time but does verify the existance of an 'open 9' Dial on a WWII era Military or Military themed Watch.

* Looks like the Air Warden in the ad above as its 9 numeral is also 'open'.

23mm Diameter

For future reference:

mybulova_admin
Posted February 3, 2011 - 7:01am

SNAP....I have had this for months and didn't think too look.

Bulova WWII Military Dials

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted February 18, 2011 - 7:52pm

admin,

I just caught Your last post.

I've seen the CAM Dial recently but in a Center seconds design.

Picked this one up a Week or so ago and the one in My last post a Week before. This one came with Hands (how convenient). Then, while searching through My Hands cabinet, found 3 more new sets! ....lumed !

: )

Very cool graphic, also 23mm Dials I'm assuming?

* notice how similar the lumious numeral styles are in design to the 1920's circular Trojan and Conquerers' Dial. -  Identical.