Bulova 1938 President

Submitted by DennisBlva on March 23, 2020 - 4:50pm
Manufacture Year
1938
Movement Model
7AP
Movement Date Code
Cresent Moon
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
8631161
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

The top bezel is white.  I tested it for purity and it tests out to be sterling silver.  The bottom is yellow and marked the usual 10k GF.  The dial is black with gold raised numerlals and gold hands.  The dial has no notches that I can see.  The case measures 20mm wide and 45.2 from tip to tip. A Frankenwatch, but I would love to have some more information.

Silver top watch
silv top bul dial
silvr top mvt
silvr top back
silvr top side
neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 23, 2020 - 5:27pm

Interesting watch. could it be yellow gold plated and heavily worn or over mechanically polished to (silver) base metal? It looks like the lug tips have yellow gold on them. Resembles a  President with black dial. Here is one with a white face. I found reference to a President "C" dated I think 1939, so there were at least 3 variants in this style casing. Still looking.

Possible 1938 President

DennisBlva
Posted March 23, 2020 - 11:21pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

I checked with a loop, and I do see slight touches of yellow on the lug tips. 

I did yet another silver test (done 5 now) and the acid again shows red, indicating silver.  What I can't understand is it IS a silver base....then why is it, when it's circa 1938?  As I understand, the silver based Bulovas were produced in the early 1940's due WW2 and the shortage of brass.  Correct me if I'm wrong.  I frequently am.  :-) 

As for it being white base metal, I checked it with a magnet and it didn't stick. White base metal attract a magnet, right? 

Geoff Baker
Posted March 23, 2020 - 9:46pm

I would tag this a President. We have a couple 1938 President watches with black dials but not with numbers. Possibly a re-dial but hard to tell. Surprised to hear the base metal tests as silver.

1938 Bulova President

Kathy L.
Posted March 24, 2020 - 3:56pm

I am good with President.

1938 Bulova President