Bulova 1931 -Unknown

Submitted by TdH on October 12, 2011 - 6:26pm
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Square Shield
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
653959
Case Serial No.
1217441
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Two-tone
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This is not my watch. I was unable to upload the photos to the forum, so I entered it here. It is similar to the Lone Eagle III, but slightly different. What do you think? Is it a variation of the LE III or a different model all together? Thanks!

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch advert
TdH
Posted October 12, 2011 - 6:45pm

What is interesting is that the case and the first link of the band have the X-square-X-square pattern, the the remainder of the links have the dot-diamond-dot-diamond pattern (see photo 5).

Daca102090
Posted October 12, 2011 - 7:50pm

I think the first link in the band, where it attached to the case, is actually a pivoting lug. 

Is there a spring pin in the link that attaches  the two patterns together?

TdH
Posted October 12, 2011 - 8:03pm

In reply to by Daca102090

No. I just added a new photo of the side. The pin is where the first link attaches to the case.

bourg01
Posted October 12, 2011 - 8:11pm

Looks more like the Ambassador  to me.

Daca102090
Posted October 12, 2011 - 8:13pm

In reply to by bourg01

Wouldn't the ambassador have had a 21j movement?

Daca102090
Posted October 12, 2011 - 8:12pm

This is an unknown 1932 I have here, case is very similar except for there is no engraving down the side of the crystal on mine.

TdH
Posted October 12, 2011 - 8:34pm

In reply to by Daca102090

Ok, on the one I uploaded you can tell that the top and bottum of the case were gold at one time, like yours. Makes me think that Bulova had a few variations on the same theme. Most likely each variation having its own name. Unfortunately, there are only a couple of ads on this site for 1931-1932.

Wayne Hanley
Posted October 13, 2011 - 3:47pm

If you know of other sites that have 1931-32 ads please copy them & get them to Steven. I think there was an overall shortage of ads when the Great Depression started to really go into effect.

I sure would like to see a picture of both of thes watches without the bracelet. Are your original lugs intact? The bracelets look like a collectors creativity IMO. A picure without the bracelet would clear that up for me. Thanks!

 

TdH
Posted October 13, 2011 - 4:48pm

In reply to by Wayne Hanley

No, unfortunately, I don't know of another website, Wayne. Your idea about the depression reducing ads for luxury goods sounds like a good guess to me.

Given that the two watches have the same type of initial chain links, and that the ones on the watch I posted match the X-square-X-square pattern that is on the case, I would say that they are the original. It being the depression, perhaps Bulova used the same bracelet for several similar looking watches: the Lone Eagle III, and the two watches posted here, even if it wasn't a perfect match.

I do not have the watch I posted, so I cannot provide a photo without the bracelet. I'll ask the owner.