This watch is composed of a 1949 Treasurer back, movement and dial with an early 1950's President bezel.
10kt white gold fill with stainless steel back. Approx 25mm x 30mm in diameter excluding the crown. Original 2-tone finish dial.
I have found a 1953 Bulova President for sale on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.fr/RARER-10K-WHITE-GOLD-BULOVA-PRESIDENT-ART-DECO-WATCH-/180692198998?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item2a12182656). Comparing the photos against my watch (see last 2 photos above), I would definately conclude that the bezel, backing and movements are identical and that the glass is of a similar style. The dial and hands might not be the original.
This leads me to believe that at the very least the bezel, backing and movements of my watch are all part of the same original watch. Since the dates on the backing and on the movement are 1949, we can conclude that the 1949 President did exist and that this is how it looked.
Havent read through the entire thread but the subject watch actually has a dial from the Treasure(r) model (see www.mybulova.com/watches/1951-treasurer-2132 ) , hence why it doesn't fit the case. I dont believe that case was made until 1951 at the earliest either. Earliest I have seen is 1952.
Great detective work, GJ-Watches and FifthAvenueRes. I was convinced that this was a 1949 President, because of the unique shape of the backing of my watch and that the backing and movement were used in later President watches.
Seeing that the Treasurer had the same backing and movement, and that it existed in that style at least as far back as 1950 (see ad from 1950 below), and that the dial is the Treasurer dial makes me agree with you that this is a 1949 Treasurer with a 1950's President bezel.
Whoever made this match must have had both watches to see how well they fit together. Bulova surely used the same backing for both.
My question now is what to do with this post. Delete it or save it as a case study? If I leave it, should I leave the name "President", but place in the text that it is a 1949 Treasurer with a 1950's President bezel? It would suggest that the Treasurer had already changed styles by 1949 from the 1947 round-case style.
It took a while to put the pieces together. I too noticed the dial resembled that of the Treasure and would tend to agree with the notion that the dial, movement and back case are from a Treasurer and the front bezel is from a President.....you can also see the original crystal lines on the dial.
What to call it?????
I'd like to see it returned to its original state, that is, a President and a Treasurer. The question then is, which one will be easier to make?
At the moment, unless anyone has any other thoughts, this particular watch will only cloud the model listing for the President series.
In reply to Ok, I will remove the listing by TdH
well.........I agree that it should be delisted as either a Treas or a Pres, but that doesn't mean you're required to convert it back to original state for either model. We refer to these as FrankenBully's because they're built up watches from spare or random parts, and it's all really quite common. Not all members of this family believe that these watches need to be destoyed or returned to their original state. I for one think you should keep it, wear it proudly and enjoy it immensly as it really is a beautiful watch, perhaps one day you'll stumble on the parts you need to 'restore' it, perhaps you won't, either way you have a Bulova watch and that is a very good thing!
gb
In reply to well.........I agree that it by Geoff Baker
In reply to Gents I've added a new model by mybulova_admin
That is a good idea admin...
This thread provided some good info on how this "FrankenBully" was discovered and may help others to know what to look for on their future purchases. It would be a shame to delete it.
TdH, Sooner or later a nice Treaurer case with a bad dial will appear on eBay as will a bad President case with a good dial & movement...then you will have 2 nice Bulova's...;)