My grandfathers 1940 Bulova Ranger with the original gold plated band with leather insert, advertised with this particular watch.
The watch finally made it back from the watchmaker I used before Mike from Timemachines.
Researching this watch is what had the old Bulova's bite me with the bug in a big way. It's my FIRST ever Bulova but obviously not my last!
What was your original Bulova and how did you get into collecting these sweet old watches?!
www.mybulova.com/watches/1940-ranger-718
That's beautiful, plainsmen! There's big Mojo in heirloom watches, I think!
WRT how I got started in Bulovas - as you can tell from my handle, I primarily collect Elgins. I was going to collect Hamiltons, but found myself getting discouraged by the prices. I discovered that Elgins from the same era are a bargain by comparison, and are roughly comparable. So, I decided to collect Elgins, primarily from the late 50s and early 60s.
One day, I saw a somewhat beat-up Elgin from 1951 which nobody'd bid on, which was going for $20. I placed a bid, won the auction, then noticed that the seller was including a bonus - a little, well-worn, nonrunning Bulova.
When it arrived, I looked it over, then put it aside to play with my new Elgin. But I kept coming back to it. So, I started researching Bulovas, and ended up here. I ID'd it as a Senator, from 1942. So I looked up 'Senator' on here, and ran into the Senator/Spencer/RadioCity debate, where I saw a picture of the Rose Gold one with the exploding number dial.
Next thing I know, I'm bidding on one just like it! And won.
Now, I'm searching 'Bulova' on Ebay almost as diligently as 'Elgin'! And it's all because of that little bonus.
In reply to That's beautiful, plainsmen! by Elgin Doug
Like Doug, I started collecting Elgin pocket watches cuz granddaddy was an Elgin factory watchmaker. I had completely run out of space in my pocket watch collection, and was looking for something to collect that was smaller and that I could actually wear every day. I chose Bulova for the reasons of standardized parts readily available and moderate price, but the clincher was that Bulova chose to start the Bulova School of Watchmaking. I found that a noble enterprise for a company to help out the returning disabled vets to develop a marketable skill, fully funded by Bulova.
My first Bulova was a 1966 Senator.
