Bulova 1929 Fleetwood

Submitted by Wayne Hanley on February 4, 2011 - 2:11pm
Manufacture Year
1929
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Shield
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
667647
Case Serial No.
9487659
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
20.0mm x 20.0mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case Material: 14k Two-Tone Gold - Rolled Gold Plate-Fairly Rare

Case Measurements: 20.0mm Between Lugs, 33.0mm Lug-Lug x 26.6mm Wide

Dial & Hands Original

estateauctions Sellers Description mentions mybulova.com

This auction is for a circa 1929 Bulova Wrist Watch, we think it matches the face of the 1929 Fleetwood, but this one has a 17 Jewel 10AN movement. (We matched it on the mybulova com site - what an incredible Bulova resource!!) We may have it wrong, if so, let us know and we will get it up here.”

You have it exactly right Sir!

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Reverend Rob
Posted June 2, 2013 - 10:17am

Just my usual note regarding Radium, which was discussed earlier in the thread, and elsewhere in other threads.

Radium was used well into the 70's on clocks, mainly electric alarm/radio clocks. In watches, it was used until the early to mid sixties, depending on the manufacturer. There was no lapse in lume use, although there is a possibility it was less available during WWII to civvy street. 

As noted, it was well known that it was toxic, and yet it continued to be used, despite outright bans in some countries. 

Radium has a half life of 1601 years. The zinc sulfide in the paint ceases to flouresce, but the paint is for all intents and purposes, still as potent as the day it was made, and it is hazardous to re-lume hands with Radium. It causes contamination to work areas and tools. After the lume is removed from hands and dials, they remain radioactive. Particles exit the watch from the front, but are blocked from the rear by the case and movt. 

The main danger is ingestion, and as long as this is avoided, risks are minimal. As with mercury in amalgam, the main cause of contamination is disturbance, where the compound is removed with tools, breaking it into fine pieces, and powder. The body sees Radium as Calcium, and imports it into bones. Repeated exposure results in a terrible skeletal ache, and there is nothing that can be done once the Radium is in the bones. Cancer is another well known result of Radium poisoning. 

William Smith
Posted June 18, 2015 - 4:13am

Did we decide Round the World was 1930?  Sure doesn't seem to match Fleetwood on horizontal bezel (and elsewhere).  I'm at one tick for non-confirmed on ID as Fleetwood.
EDIT:  Never mind the Round the World suggestion.  Post and Gatty didn't complete the flight until the end of summer in 1931.   
But I'm still not sure this is the Fleetwood based on no two-tone ad AND the ads don't have double row  horizontal bezels, but have one row engraved and the outter row smooth.  Watch has two rows of engraved horizontal bezels.

Reverend Rob
Posted May 3, 2017 - 10:26am

I don't think this is a Fleetwood, based on the ads.