Bulova 1926 Mignon

Submitted by Alex on August 24, 2014 - 7:07am
Manufacture Year
1926
Movement Model
5AP
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
31342
Case Serial No.
268238
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

A very nice Bulova Mignon. Checking the adverts on this site, the Mignon seems to be the first model to have black enamel inlay. The bezel has the number 283 imprinted, that corresponds with the case serial number on the back.

A nice detail: in the advert of 11 December 1926 you find the Mignon underneath the Theodora, a watch I am lucky to also own.

The size is 15mm wide by 24mm long.

I purposely chose a lighter color strap to have the black enamel stand out.

Bulova watch
1926 Bulova watch
1926 Bulova watch
1926 Bulova watch
1926 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Alex
Posted August 24, 2014 - 7:09am

And a nice shiny 14K case with beatiful engraving.

jabs
Posted August 24, 2014 - 7:30am

Cool "Mignon"

William Smith
Posted August 24, 2014 - 2:34pm

What a beautiful watch. The light strap sure makes the enamel pop!!!
Great solid gold  "Mignon"

bobbee
Posted August 24, 2014 - 3:13pm

Extremely cool Mignon.

Reverend Rob
Posted August 24, 2014 - 11:03pm

Mignon, and a rare bird it is. 

Geoff Baker
Posted August 25, 2014 - 5:58am

Wonderful watch. So much beauty packed into such a small place!

Mignon!

William Smith
Posted August 9, 2015 - 3:31pm

Alex

There are two different patents (dates) on the inside case signature.  I see the June 10, 1924 for the dust-tite technology, but it looks like there's a second patent below 14K hallmark (along w/ little insignias flanking both sides).  is it July 20, 1924??

I wonder if if this other patent is held by Bulova, or if they used someone else's "patented ___" in this watch, and had to cite the use of someone's patent?

Alex
Posted August 9, 2015 - 7:01pm

Underneath the 14K it says  "L" then "Patented July 26 1921" then "Co" and then the number "268238". It was the standard case signature of the case company L. Lewitt, that was registered in 1922. I have several cases of them for other brands and always with enamel. They seem to have been the early enamel specialist and American Standard probably had not yet the technology in 1926 when the Mignon was introduced. As from 1928 Bulova has enameled cases signed with only Bulova (Barbara, Colette), so that might have been the moment Bulova (American Standard) mastered the enamelling process. I suspect the patent of 26 July 1921 could refer to the enameling process. Is there a way to find out?

William Smith
Posted August 9, 2015 - 7:29pm

In reply to by Alex

Thanks   
There may be ways to "check", but its laborious.  There are patent and trademark search engines where one can search by patent number, patent type, company, and keywords, but it's hit and miss. One could bracket by the month and year.... Let me check for link to patent search.

EDIT:  Same case hallmarks as this 1926 Unknown watch.