Is it a Banker?

Submitted by Geoff Baker on December 26, 2010 - 4:53pm

Dial appears to have been stripped at some point with only outline of numerals reapplied. No lume in numerals, no paint applied to face ( bare steel).  Hands appear to have been relumed. No patent date inside back cover, only states Bulova, Gold Filled, American Standard. Does appear that every watchmaker on planet earth has marked inside back cover (which is inscribed / dedicated with a 1927 date). 17 J - 9 A movement s/n 75439. Hand applied circle date stamp (1925) appears just south of the winding stem. Case s/n 5217451. My guess is the Banker  - The MILIION dollar question is to refinish or not to refinish that dial.....Feedback on Model AND my dillema regarding dial greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 26, 2010 - 5:12pm

Patent dates apply to the dust shield, this could possibly be pre dust shield patent and I don't think the Banker was named at this time.

I don't think anyone would strip the dial then apply the numeral outlines and tracks without a background, it may have came this way.

Stephen and Wayne need to see this one.

Wayne Hanley
Posted December 26, 2010 - 6:08pm

Geoff

The dial, hands and movement are 1925 Bulova. Compare it to the 1925 President dial & movement in the data base. Just for the record Bulova used the 1924 patent of Arthur Marrotti primarily for the use of the unique 2 hinged case & included the use of a celluloid cover. Which brings us to the beautiful unhinged case. Bulova produced the Banker from 1925 to 1930 in a rather fat tonneau case. This case is according to the Bulova stamping a later 1930s case I would guess. Further research is definately needed.  I have never seen this case before.

Wayne

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 26, 2010 - 7:03pm

I'd read somewhere that the fastest way to get the right answers on the internet was to post the wrong ones. Wayne knows His Bulovas.

: )

Stephen Ollman
Posted December 26, 2010 - 11:44pm

The dial hasn't been re-done. All that has happened is that the old (radioactive) paint has been removed from the numbers. If its like most old 1920s Bulova they tended to flake off over tome and come off with a good wash. This dial type is very resiliant and great for re-painting.

The hands have been redone with what I'd say is a modern lum paint.

It's definetly not a Banker but definetly 1925.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is a 1925 Bulova President.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 27, 2010 - 6:29am

In reply to by Stephen Ollman

Hmmmmm, you know Stephen, I kinda thought President as well although it doesn't match the photo of the '25 Pres in the data base.  The President is however, seems to be one of the few '25's that didn't get the sub seconds chapter. A couple ads picture the Pres as having a different pattern on the sides than on the top and bottom which gently pushes in the same direction as you. Guess I'm going to go with a redial and relume.......I'll post it as a Pres once it's completed. Thanks.

Wayne Hanley
Posted December 27, 2010 - 11:09am

Geoff

Is your case green gold? I found this 1926 ad good readability. The horizontal bars look kinda fancy like you whole bezel. Whatcha think?

Geoff Baker
Posted December 27, 2010 - 9:28pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

Yes Wayne, it is green gold. I looked at a low res of this ad and wondered the same thing. Ad shows a different design on vertical as opposed to horizontal like mine. The actual designs differ between the watch and the ad but that seems fairly common. My watch does have the curve across the side rails like this ad shows too. I think you have nailed it, I'm naming it THE President (not to be confused with my NOS 1972 Richard Nixon  - in the original boxes WITH the Presidential Seal -Caravelle though). By the way, I have another 'gee, I don't thinks I ever seen that case before' coming up soon. She's off to my watchmaker now so it could be a month or so before I get it out here. This one goes in when that one comes home.

Thanks Again Wayne - I REALLY appreciate your help - geoff