Bulova 1931 Round the World

Submitted by William Smith on August 27, 2012 - 7:00pm
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Square Shield
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
673308
Case Serial No.
1227631
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case dimensions:   27mm (not counting crown) by 33mm lug tip to tip.  Crystal measurements and other details to follow. Supporting 1930 ad doesn't mention two-tone gold case, and dial configuration is different, but it's a starting point. EDIT June 5, 2014:  The 1930 Ambassador ad mentioned above has been replaced with an August 26th, 1931 ad from the Spokane Daily Chronicle.

Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
1931 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:07pm

The 'FLEETWOOD', I believe

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:08pm

There's also this 1931 ad below.  I'm including the Sky King below subject case to indicate the ad could have depected the two-tone gold bezel in the graphics. The Sky King ad also states two-tone in the text while Ambassador does not:

So it's looking like an unknown for subject watch.

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:25pm

Thanks Fifth.  I'll change the supporting ad in the root record now...since it's not the Ambassador.

plainsmen
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:27pm

Yeah... Fleetwood. 

Fleetwood is two toned.... Ambassador is all wg.  Same watch really though.  I have both someplace...

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:30pm

hold the press.. Jewel count on Fleetwood is 17. Subject watch is 15.  Maybe a movement swap, but case SN and movement date symbol on subject watch both suggest 1931.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:48pm

Something tells Me it's not going to be that simple Will.

1. Movement swap - Case Dates and Movement Dates match as mentioned.

2. possibly a 2 tone 'AMBASSADOR' (unseen to Date)

or

3. 'AMBASSADOR' Case with the Rhodium plate removed from the now Gold areas mimicking the 'FLEETWOOD' style?

4. unseen 'UNKNOWN' ?

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:45pm

agreed....the case measurements from a 17 jewel 1929 Fleetwood in the database are almost identical, however the Fleetwood ads in that record indicate one horizontal "set" of engraving, while subject watch and other Fleetwood have two sets of horizontal engravings.  There's a second ad showing single horizontal row of engraving for Fleetwood too, but I'm having trouble finding a date for that ad snippet.  1929 ad Fifth links is below:

William Smith
Posted August 27, 2012 - 7:56pm

...it's never that simple :)  I don't think I've seen an ad for Ambassador or Fleetwood in this time period with two rows of horizontal engravings.... My supporting ad was a starting point, but only one row there too.    Well Fifth, perhaps simpler to say it's not the Ambassador or the Fleetwood....