Bulova 1945 Officer

Submitted by kap on December 3, 2017 - 8:09pm
Manufacture Year
1945
Movement Model
10BC
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
5160928
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Inside case back: "Bulova, 10K Rolled Gold Plate Bezel, Stainless Back, New York"

Width: 25mm without crown, 27 including crown

Length (lug to lug): 35mm

Height (Steel back to top of crystal): 9mm

Inside lug width: 15 or 16mm

Crown is signed "Bulova" 

Original dial and hands.

Case has sharp lines. I believe the case to be unpolished.

Movement: 10BC, 15 Jewel

Band has been replaced in the 1980s with an inexpense Speidel metal expansion band

Originally purchased in Paducah, Kentucky in 1954 (plus or minus a year).

Model name is unknown to me, but I would be interested to know it.

 

[1954] Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
Reverend Rob
Posted December 6, 2017 - 11:31pm

I'd say it is an 'Officer', 1945 based on the case serial.

kap
Posted December 7, 2017 - 2:30am

Very interesting and great sleuthing to discover the model name and find this unexpected (to me) production year.

My grandfather gifted this watch when he died in the 80s. He also passed on to me the Illinois pocket watch that this Bulova replaced as his dress watch. My father told me his dad bought this Bulova Officer watch shortly after my father bought his watch (which was a different brand, but similar look of the dial) at the same store in Paducah, KY. That was the summer of 1954. Seems odd that the watch would be 9 years old at the time of purchase at the store.  I assumed he purchased new, but now that's not so unless the watch had remained unsold for 9 years. Since I tied this watch to 1954, the most similar watch (but not perfect match) I could find was the Standish. 

This will give me something interesting to share with Dad next time we talk.

Thanks very much for spending time and your efforts to help identify this watch!!!

Geoff Baker
Posted December 7, 2017 - 6:08am

In reply to by kap

I would not be at all surprised that the watch was 9-10 years waiting in a display case to be purchased. I just bought a 'new' watch that's 6 years old. It sat in the display case all those years (well, of course it's a Bulova). The amazing thing thing about your watch is that it was so cherished by your grandfather that you still have it over 60 years later. Clearly your grandfather was very proud of it. You are most fortunate to have this wonderful keepsake from him, congratulations!

kap
Posted December 10, 2017 - 3:54am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

It's been an almost daily wearer for me for a long time. Been thinking recently of replacing the metal band with a watch strap. Expandable straps seemed popular in the 1950's, but now that I know this is from the mid 1940's, maybe a leather strap would be more appropriate. I'm open to suggestions. 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 10, 2017 - 7:12am

In reply to by kap

Hi Kap, Watch was sold by Bulova mounted on a thicker unpadded russet brown leather strap as seen in the ad I posted. If you want to go "stock" like Granddad purchased it, that's what you want. Scissor expansion bands (as opposed to "Twist-o-flex") were used in the 40's as well; just not on this particular watch  when sold new. Basically it just comes down to what do you prefer for your "daily driver"? It's a nice one, and it's even better that  it belonged to your grandfather.

kap
Posted December 16, 2017 - 8:07pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Thanks for the ideas on watch bands. I addition to the information you provided, I saw a reference to the straps being made of pigskin leather on one of the 1940s advertisements. 

I found a 16mm Fluco tan smooth pigskin leather watch strap. This is a 2mm thick, unpadded and untappered strap. After adding leather conditioner to darken it slightly, I had the russet color.  I also swapped the buckle for a flip lock deployant clasp.