Own an original 5000 Lone Eagle?

Submitted by mybulova_admin on December 24, 2011 - 3:53am

Let me know here and show us your watch so I can add you to the 5000 Club.

Bob Bruno
Posted December 24, 2011 - 7:24am

Well Stephen I know you have already added me to the club but any chance I get to show off this watch :)  By the way my computer crashed the other day and I had to format my hard drive. Lost all my watch photos. Have to re shoot my entire collection. Started with the LE yesterday.

 

vintagebulova.com
Posted December 24, 2011 - 8:04am

I believe this to be an original 5000.  Case number is 6558800 and has Jun 10 1924 date..

vintagebulova.com

Jay

vintagebulova.com

mybulova_admin
Posted December 24, 2011 - 6:57pm

In reply to by vintagebulova.com

Hmmm. hands make it a Conqueror, but the serial  number will certainly help with the ID.

vintagebulova.com
Posted December 24, 2011 - 7:44pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Movement serial number is 22657X date code is a triangle.  Hands could have certainly been changed somewhere along the way. 

Jay

vintagebulova.com

mybulova_admin
Posted December 26, 2011 - 4:42am

In reply to by vintagebulova.com

In that case I happily stand correct Jay.

Is this a keeper or has it been sold?

mybulova_admin
Posted December 29, 2011 - 6:29pm

In reply to by vintagebulova.com

Jay, any chance of getting the exact serial number for me?

Thanks

plainsmen
Posted December 24, 2011 - 9:25am

Here's what Steven posted awhile ago showing the criteria the watch would need:

Its the movement and case serial numbers. I've spent the last 5 years gathering a private database on all manner of vintage Bulova watch movements and I have a good understanding of the serial numbers on the original 5000 Lone Eagles.

Unlike most other models it would appear that Bulova ordered a batch of the same movements in 1926 in preparation for the release of the Lone Eagle watch. Whilst in 1926 they didn't yet have a name for the watch they did plan ahead. Ardé Bulova, Joseph’s son offered $1,000 prize money to the first pilot to make the crossing in 1926 and it is my thought that around the same time Bulova placed a large order of movements in order to be released as a commemorative watch (some consider the first commemorative watch ever). What came back for the Swiss factory was 5000 sequentially numbers 10AN movements with a 1926 date stamp. Bulova at some point also manufactured the American made corner-cut enamal 14K Gold Filled cases, also with a serial number range to fit the ordered 5000 movements.

The Original 5000  Lone Eagles that I have come across in the last 5 years have these serial numbers

Date stamp, movement model, mevement serial, case serial and jewel count

26 10AN    225751    XXXXXX   17
26 10AN    226044    6636667    17
26 10AN    226840    6634587    17
26 10AN    226934    6635298    17
26 10AN    226975    6636219    17
26 10AN    227205    XXXXXX   17
26 10AN    227326    6637786    17
26 10AN    227399    6560017    17
26 10AN    227730    6637411    17
26 10AN    228227    6636409    17

The movement will always start with 22XXXX and the case will be either 65XXXXX or 66XXXXX

Anything prior to these are lkely to be a Conqueror and anything post a 1927 later release.

These are my finding which I'm making public now after 5 years of study.

plainsmen
Posted December 28, 2011 - 6:28pm

Hrmm... one day gentlemen!

mybulova_admin
Posted December 28, 2011 - 9:59pm

In reply to by plainsmen

 Soon... Very soon.

Looking forward to seeing your holy grail.