Bulova 1931 Gladiator

Submitted by colorodo on November 26, 2014 - 9:50pm
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
1053946
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Curved crystal
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

My Dad passed this watch down to me.  My research tells me this is a 1931 Gladiator but I am not 100% sure.  I have included before and after restoration photos.  I had it serviced, the crystal replaced and the face restored.  The two tone design is a beautiful example of an art deco time piece.  I have also included a photo of my Grandfather wearing it at an airport dated 1949.  It’s profile on his wrist is unmistakable.  The original watch came with a leather band.  It now has a bracelet from the time period.  My watchmaker had an inventory of old parts and bracelets.   I enjoy wearing my watch and it always gets the “wow” comments.

colorodo 1931 Bulova Gladiator 11 29 2014
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
colorodo
Posted November 26, 2014 - 9:54pm

Your comments are welcome.

plainsmen
Posted November 26, 2014 - 10:06pm

Man... welcome Colorodo, what a great story and fantastic heirloom watch!  I fell into loving these old Bulova's for the same reason.   My dad gave me my grandpa's 1940 Bulova Ranger.  I didn't know anything about it and found this site.  The rest is history.

I'll look back through our stuff and see what I can come up with about your watch.

jabs
Posted November 27, 2014 - 3:17am

Welcome Colorodo on myBulova.com, I have similar watch there is discussion of IDing

1931 Gladiator

Bulova Watch

Geoff Baker
Posted November 27, 2014 - 9:32am

Hi Colorodo - welcome to myBulova. Many of us found this site researching family heirlooms. Congratulations on having this wonderful keepsake of your grandfather. My belief is that the value of the connection to him far outweighs any monetary value of this beauty.

I agree with my fellow panel members, it's a Gladiator.

mybulova_admin
Posted November 28, 2014 - 4:06am

I love the photo of your grandfather wearing the watch. Priceless!

A few differences from the advert, but I believe that there is a general consensus that this model is the Bulova Gladiator.

JP
Posted November 28, 2014 - 1:59pm

Gladiator

plainsmen
Posted November 28, 2014 - 2:05pm

Yup Gladiator... what a great name

will3hawks
Posted November 29, 2014 - 10:09pm

this is art in in it's finest form !