Hi folks! I haven't been around much. I stopped my Bulova collection at 4 - my Rose Gold Senator, the 1958 His Excellency, and a pair of 1937 American Clippers (I'm a sucker for stepped-side cases) - and have been concentrating on Elgins. So many watches, so little time (and money!)
This morning on my usual check of the new Elgin listings on Ebay, something appeared that made me scratch my balding head for a while. No link, but the listing is number 230704738052
It looks like a 1940s Senator, but it has an Elgin 18/0 movement from 1929. The caseback is even milled out to the proper shape to hold the rectangular movement. At first, i wondered whether Elgin had scooped Bulova by 11 years, but close inspection revealed that the dial is not a really good match to the opening in the bezel, and then there's the fact that AFAIK, Elgin didn't start selling RGP cases until the 1950s.
So, I conclude it's likely an old Cross-Brand Franken - Bulogin? Elgova?