Bulova 1920 Pocket Watch

Submitted by plainsmen on June 14, 2018 - 10:25pm
Manufacture Year
1920
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
4758463
Case shape
Octagonal
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I know I've seen an ad for these with a Bulova movement.  I can't find it right now, but it was one of these really early ones that I think advertised other brands along with Bulova to fit in this case.

Really neat piece... octogonal, 17 Jewels.  I don't know what the big "M" stands for on the movement.  Could that be an early attempt at a movement model number?

If you look at the left side of the picture of the case back you'll see it got one of it's corners cut/bent.  It doesn't look like it's "filled", but more solid.  See what you think....

What do you think panel?

1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
Reverend Rob
Posted June 15, 2018 - 12:31am

That notch, if that's what you're referrimg to, is to locate the back with the protrusion on the main case. I'm not really up on the whole 'Gold Fill' process, but edges like this and corners usually show the wear first, and any seams. The use of the word 'Warranted' denotes Gold Fill. 

All these corners seem to show the underlying base metal, or are these the 'cuts' you mentioned? That is, the edges being cut and bent and forming seams. Usually these are stamped out, but again, I've never seen the process or any mention of it.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 18, 2018 - 6:58am

WOW is all I can say right now!!

Early 1920s, late teens and very impressive. The 'M', we have certainly never seen that before.

ID wise, pocket watch as a generic model, but I really like this pocket watch....really early Bulova.

Well done Plains. It's a wonderful addition to your collection.

Geoff Baker
Posted June 19, 2018 - 6:46am

Cool old survivor plains. Could be one of the oldest movements we have?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 27, 2018 - 2:18pm

Very cool, nice find. I can't even venture a guess besides it's really early.