Bulova 1936 Alden

Submitted by DreamWeaver on June 10, 2012 - 12:15am
Manufacture Year
1936
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
612369
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
Yellow
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I believe this is a first entry for an early model Alden. The flip-case serial number starts with a six, but the movement symbol of a circle suggests 1934. This movement also appears to be a late model 15J 10AN manufactured in the USA. Most of my other 1920s and 1930's 10AN's are Swiss made movements. This Alden is first seen in an ad in 1935, but the ads show a different numbered dial. This dial is similar, almost identical, to my 1936 Oakley in that it has a unique raised track dial - there is no printing on it...it's all raised gold and it only has hour markers and no numbers. I'll probably have this dial refinsihed because they come out really nice (see my Oakley as an example) and there no chance for mis-printing the dial since it only requires background color refinishing and painting the raised gold highlights. Flip-case is actually in very nice condition except a little wear-through. I'm probably going to have the bezel replated and it will shine like new - that's why I like these non-etched bezels because they can be replated and look new again without any detraction to the original design. I'll leave the case back as it is because you won't see the wear through there anyway. The case on one end reads, "Bulova" (small print above) "10k Rolled Gold Plate" with the Serial Number printed on the other end. 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
William Smith
Posted June 10, 2012 - 2:06pm

Any chance of a photo of the watch complete side view w/ the flip open? I see what appears to be the hinge on the flip back, but can't envision the flip back and case while "open". 

NOVA
Posted June 10, 2012 - 3:39pm

The Trident, Alden, and Chancellor are an interesting trio of watches.

Below, a 1933 ad shows the Trident (there's also a 1934 ad), a 1935 ad shows the Alden, while a new 1936 Sears ad shows the Chancellor.  Neither ad shows the subject dial.

The Trident is only advertised in white gold (in both ads that we have), while the Alden is advertised in both white and yellow gold, and the Chancellor only in yellow.  There's another 1938 ad that shows the Chancellor in yellow with no descriptive text.