This is a strange little watch

Submitted by NOVA on April 13, 2011 - 2:55pm

 

Any thoughts before I log this as an unknown?

10AN, 17J dated 1930

Movement serial:  608365

Case serial:  2049691

Bulova signed case, movement, and dial

Round slightly domed crystal measured approx. 20.6mm

Case, lug-to-lug, measures 34mm (26mm without lugs) x 26mm without crown

plainsmen
Posted April 13, 2011 - 5:13pm

Yeah it is a weird little watch.  10AN?  looks to just fit that case...

Definately gotta be an early nurses/doctors looks like.  Looking a little plain but seems a bit unique.

Wayne Hanley
Posted April 13, 2011 - 5:48pm

Cute little thng. Three things pop up. When was the 1st sweep second hand introduced? When did Bulova stop putting patent dates on the inside backcase. Moulded case? Research required!

Wayne

NOVA
Posted April 13, 2011 - 6:36pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

Looks like the first sweep second hand in our database is dated 1936 and is a Physician.

vintagebulova.com
Posted April 13, 2011 - 6:58pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

There's probably no patent date on the case because it isn't a Bulova patented design.  Its a nice little watch.  I've seen a few of these and have always been fascinated by the center sweep 10AN.  I've seen these put into 1920's deco cases and passed off as a Doctors watch. 

Jay

vintagebulova.com

NOVA
Posted April 13, 2011 - 7:08pm

In reply to by vintagebulova.com

It has the Bulova signature but Bulova didn't patent it?  Is that common?  Wouldn't it have to state who did patent it, or are you suggesting that no one did?  And what about the fact that, after some point, Bulova stopped putting patent dates on their cases?  Could this watch simply have been on the cusp of that?  Please, tell me more.

mybulova_admin
Posted April 14, 2011 - 1:44am

In reply to by NOVA

The 2 patents we normally see for 1924 and 1927 relate to the dust proof cover and associated components. As this watch didn't have that feature on the case there was no need to include the patent information.

The case itself is a fairly common cushion case used by a number of watch makers.

Wayne Hanley
Posted April 13, 2011 - 6:02pm

1919 Bulova Precision

mybulova_admin
Posted April 13, 2011 - 6:36pm

Everything looks right to be a 1930 nurses or doctors watch.