Bulova 1932 Ranger

Submitted by William Smith on August 19, 2012 - 12:35am
Manufacture Year
1932
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
T
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
562478
Case Serial No.
2112907
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
15.8 x 24.2mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Dial: raised gilt Bulova & Arabic numerals, recessed subsecond w/ black printed inner minute and subsecond track, partially obscuring the 6, stamped SWISS
Movement:  10AN 15 jewel Unadjusted Bulova Watch Co. SWISS  (SN) 562478  T date symbol.  Outside Case Back:  (SN) 106658.  Inside Case Back:  Bulova Quality  2112907.  Case measures: 36.5mm x 25.6mm (not counting crown).  Crystal measures: 15.8 x 24.2mm.  Lug gap:  14mm.  The band is only marked "MAXIM", and is showing lots of brassing.  Almost looks like it's chrome plated, but I guess it could be gold plate.  The pattern on the links of band are very close to those on the watch bezel. but not exact.  If the band didn't come with the watch, it sure looks like it could have....

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
William Smith
Posted August 19, 2012 - 12:37am

DarHin
Posted August 19, 2012 - 1:04am

Hmm, Tonneau shaped bezel opening/crystal but hexagonal shaped minutes and seconds tracks.

William Smith
Posted August 19, 2012 - 1:32am

....yep.....just the opposite combo of track/bezel  difference seen in the 1932 L & C Mayers ad for the Sky King.   If they "came this way" (w/ tonneau bezel/hex minute/second tracks) there sure weren't very many of them that did.  They just don't "look" right.   There's the 1932 Envoy ad w/ the hex minute track and tonneau bezel- but all these ads could just be artists rendition problems....unless they used the ad copy provided by Bulova...then it's harder to blame Sears, Spiegel or Monkey Wards.
Subject dial tracks just don't "fit" bezel.

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 19, 2012 - 8:32pm

Will,

The inner Caseback seriel number matches the production Date of the Movement and is Bulovas' stamp.

The outer Caseback stamps are going to be the Case manufacturers. 

1932 is correct.

IMO

'UNKNOWN'

William Smith
Posted August 19, 2012 - 8:37pm

Unknown from me

Geoff Baker
Posted August 21, 2012 - 7:12am

Unknown

plainsmen
Posted August 21, 2012 - 8:16am

Unknown, but you can see the early Ranger design 5 years later in this case.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 23, 2012 - 2:50pm

Jerin,

This is an excellent observation!

Based on the fact that Bulova Watches of the early / mid 1930's era seem to be offered in Yellow or White, engraved and non engraved variaties I would agree and is enough to sway Me.

ad Dated 1934 http://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/vintage_ads/1934%20AD2.jpg

which is within 2 Years of the subject manufacture Date.

When the subject Watch is compared with the 1934 database ad of the 'RANGER' We see a match in the Case, the Dial differs slightly which is a negligeable issue in regards to the ID.

1932 'RANGER'.

Gents?

William Smith
Posted August 23, 2012 - 6:17pm

This is why I like hearing from the minority.  Plains and Fifth have indicated some good points in several related posts. I've poked around some more, and I'd say tentative Ranger too.   We have plenty of examples, and it does follow "Bulova" suit.   ...and I'm softening up a bit too.  Having these named Tentative Ranger based on all this may be "better" than leaving as unknown.

bobbee
Posted August 24, 2012 - 2:52am

Tentative Ranger. These watches are too alike to ignore.