Since we are on the subject of AA's

Submitted by OldTicker on January 19, 2012 - 8:05pm

Here is one I picked up a few weeks back on a BIN.

Even before I got the watch I thought I had bought a 100% Bulova Frankenbully, but after I got it I am not so sure. I found this ad from 1950 and was sure it was a Vivian with a AA dial & movement, but one thing that is making me think again is the Vivian is described as having a Stainless caseback, this one has a 10K Gold Filled back like most of the rest of the AA's except the one shown above the Vivian.

I have looked through all of my crystal catalogs and cannot find a listing for the Vivian, I have about a 1000 Bulova ladies crystals on hand to go through, so maybe I can find something in those.

The date stamp on the movement is A9, the caseback is marked L1 the movement is a 21J 6BC and the crystal measures 11.8 x 11.6mm and is CC style.

Anyone have any thoughts on this one before I put an effort into cleaning it up?

plainsmen
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:11pm

Looks as though it's a glove fit and the wear on the dial looks to fit as well.  If it's a recase it was done a long time ago.  You probably have a legit unknown ladeth AA.

NOVA
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:14pm

Nice one, OT.  Here's what I see:

1.  Movement is characteristic of the AAs

2.  Dial is characteristic of the AAs

3.  Dates are characteristic of the AAs

4.  We know that Bulova used the same cases for AAs and non-AAs.

If it quacks like a duck. . .

 

OldTicker
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:20pm

It runs like a top and should clean up nice, the only flaw is that little ding on the caseback, but I should be able to massage that out...I am hoping that I can find a crystal that is marked with the name, that will help.

simpletreasures
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:45pm

Greg, found this in my ads. seems to be a "Miss America" if your watch dates to the 60's???

 

Top left, god I hate my scanner!

plainsmen
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:46pm

Looks like Gregs watch has a 49 date stamp on the movement and a "L1" on the caseback.

OldTicker
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:49pm

I am thinking Academy Award Vivian right now ; D

I wonder if it was named for a dead movie star?

simpletreasures
Posted January 19, 2012 - 8:55pm

Vivian Leigh perhaps? She won a Oscar in 51'

mybulova_admin
Posted January 19, 2012 - 10:20pm

In reply to by simpletreasures

 Now that would be a great connection. Bulova had to get these names from somewhere and the watch style fits in beautifully. 

OldTicker
Posted January 19, 2012 - 9:03pm

She works for me!!

simpletreasures
Posted January 19, 2012 - 9:10pm

Beautiful woman, tragic life and passing. I can still recall scenes from "A Streetcar named Desire" and I haven't seen that movie in 30 plus years.

bourg01
Posted January 19, 2012 - 10:11pm

Yea, let's not go there Ticker, great logic/idea, but let's not. I'm sure you have an AA as I have one similar but the ribbed bezel patteran runs straight where yours are wavey, like the curtain.  I think it's safe to say AA for now, and look for the letter designation for the exact model. Just checked a bunch of cataloges but came up blank. Sorry.

OldTicker
Posted January 19, 2012 - 10:34pm

I hear you Shawn, The number of different models is staggering, no need to dream!

I found a crystal that works, its a GS CC294-5, no name except Bulova on the packet and it is listed as 12.0 x 11.8 mm in size, snaps right in so I will get it in shape and enter it as a tentive AA with a reference to this post. Just maybe a ad will appear in the future.

You might have another to ad to your must have list...

simpletreasures
Posted January 19, 2012 - 10:53pm

OK Boys and girls, I just unpacked this B. Matthews mail order catalog dated 1951(and that's the only date in the entire catalog and it's only on the Bulova watch page). New models listed, this could possibly be the one they're calling the "Caprice". I'll post a new thread and try to get the best image I can transferred in.

NOVA
Posted January 19, 2012 - 10:58pm

In reply to by simpletreasures

Very exciting!  It's like Christmas when a new ad gets acquired.

simpletreasures
Posted January 19, 2012 - 11:00pm

You ain't seen nothing yet Lady ;-)