Auction Find -- Ladies 1938 Baroness?

Submitted by kathiewe on August 25, 2011 - 1:53am

My husband found this beautiful vintage ladie's Bulova watch for me at an estate auction.  Having done some research it seems to be a 1938 Baroness. 

The watch is a 17 movement and seems to have the crescent moon age marking.  I looked up the 17 movement watches from 38 and it seems to look most like that the Baroness.  However, the bracelet/band is not the same as pictured. 

Hoping you will be able to confirm that it is indeed from 1938 and that it is a Baroness.  Also, looking for information about the bracelet--is it original or was it switched later.

Thanks for all your help. 

Here are some pictures...

 

 

 

mybulova_admin
Posted August 25, 2011 - 2:23am

Which band is your band?

kathiewe
Posted August 25, 2011 - 6:14am

The bottom picture shows the close up of one side of the band.  Each side has 3 rubies a solid piece with filigree cutouts and small chain to link to the closure.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 25, 2011 - 8:11am

Closest I can come up with is the 1938 Catherine. identical except for the front bezel engraving.

1938 Bulova Catherine

Band may be custom made.

bourg01
Posted August 25, 2011 - 3:53pm

That would be a good call, The band isn't original but is an aweful lot nicer. Bands were often changed right up front by customers who wanted more bling.

kathiewe
Posted August 25, 2011 - 9:32pm

Thanks for the input.  Would the band have been made by Bulova or some other company?  How can I find more input.

Also, does 17 jewels make it a better watch than that with a lesser number?

OldTicker
Posted August 25, 2011 - 11:58pm

The Jewel count makes it more accurate and more reliable. The "jewels" are synthetic rubys used as bearings for the moving parts, it also was a way for the watch manufacture's to demand more $$$.

I have seen and have some "Bulova" signed bands on some of my watches, but as  Stephen noted, they were probably made for Bulova by some other company.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 25, 2011 - 9:34pm

I believe Bulova used 3rd party manufactures for all their bands. I could be wrong.

Generally speaking the higher the jewel count the better quality the watch movement.

The Doan Gang
Posted October 10, 2011 - 12:59am

I'm new here, so I'm a bit tardy to this conversation, but I find it interesting since I've just come across 2 Barrones watches, one an "E" designation and one an "F".  Please forgive me for re-opening an old topic:)

If your watch is a Baroness, the case number should begin with an "E" or an "F".  It's almost impossible to determine if a given band is original to a watch, but if it has a date or patent number on it, the color matches and it coincides with the date of the watch's manufacture, it makes it more likely that it's original, but no guarantee.  However, if you find an original advertisement showing the band with your style watch, that would be difficult to argue.  

The number on the band to the watch below was patented to Joseph Bender of Jacoby-Bender Inc. in 1937.  Jacoby-Bender provided many manufacturers, including Bulova, with bands.  Since the the color matches and the manufacturer is known to provide bands to Bulova, the assumption is it's original... But who knows?  Personally, I think your band is spectacular, original or not, so don't worry about it.  Enjoy it.

 

 

 

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