Found this watch in a bag of jewelry that belonged to my fathers second wife. She died in 2004. I am guessing from my research that this watch is art deco and yes those are real diamonds an rubies. I would like to sell this watch.
Picture of movement also included and the inside of the watch case. Will take pic of outside case as well.
Case is 14 K gold
In reply to Thanks, you may be right but by Vintage Diva
Maybe they were not rich enough to buy a Cartier or Tiffany, but just rich enough for a beautiful Bulova.
Early Bulova's were the most expensive watches of their time, with a solid Platinum Bulova Phantom retailing at $1,000 in 1922, equal to $13,400 today.
Also the Solid Platinum and Diamond His Excellency from 1940, which also cost $1,000, at a time when a new house could be bought for under $4,000, and $1000 in 1940 is equal $16,000 today.
Not so mass produced!
Looks like a 6AB 17 Jewel Swiss to USA import (BXW) movement. Also looks like the T symbol dates the movement to 1942. This would be consistent with the case serial number starting with a "2".
Diva, there should be some kind of stamp for the metal content. I'm guessing solid gold, but the hallmark would confirm.
No reason for me to think this watch case didn't come the way we see it now.
1942 Unknown...a pretty one!
EDIT: I updated the record with info provided to date. Date changed from 1944 to 1942.
In reply to Looks like a 6AB 17 Jewel by William Smith
In reply to Will, I think that's a 5AB. by DarHin
In reply to I have to agree with DarHin by bourg01
In reply to Will, I think that's a 5AB. by DarHin
In reply to hat does that mean 5AB? by Vintage Diva
That's the movement model, nothing more. We need to know the case markings for gold content to try to get a picture of what you relly have. As it is, an ebelleished Unknown, pretty watch regardless of how wealthy those folks were, they bought a Bulova and probably had it blinged up for show without spending the big dough. The wealthy got that way by keeping thier money, not by spending wildly.
Diva, would you spend the equivelent of 10-12k on a watch if you could get the same look for say 2-300. Let's keep in mind that after the blow and go 20's and then the Great Dreppression, even the folks who still had money became alot more frugal in their spending
I'm done with this one, Unknown ID.
In reply to That's the movement model, by bourg01
