Bulova 1949 -Unknown

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on July 9, 2018 - 4:04pm
Manufacture Year
1949
Movement Model
8AE
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
A9
Case Serial No.
2405202
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Facet lines from 4 to 8 and 2 to 10
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Watch is case and movement dated A9 and literally looks unworn. Sides of case are stepped, high points polished and lower points are buffed, almost lightly frosted. Literally no wear evident,  and 3 facet crystal and face are perfect. I'm not often rendered speechless by an eBay arrival, but this is definately one. I started researching this one before I bid, and had no luck. It arrived today, and all I could say was "wow".

I'm anxious to see what the other panel members have to offer, I have no idea what this is, besides almost 70 years old and unrestored. It came to me on an obviously replaced band; I added the NOS period band as seen.

1949 Bulova watch
1949 Bulova watch
1949 Bulova watch
1949 Bulova watch
1949 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
Andersok
Posted July 9, 2018 - 6:42pm

Nice find, and I like the engravings on the case. Is the case plated, filled, or solid gold? I've not seen a crown like that before; it looks a bit too large/thick and the teeth are very deeply grooved. I don't find any matches in the ads, looks to be an unknown model. 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 9, 2018 - 7:33pm

In reply to by Andersok

Thanks Ken. Rolled gold filled.  Side of the bezel is recessed the full thickness of the step for the crown and a perfect fit. I have to believe it's original. This is one I have never encountered before.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 10, 2018 - 11:13am

After some time consuming research, I seem to have found this case minus the engraving and 3 examples of unengraved in Db ID'ed as Cambridge (1) and Dewey (2). Note that both 1945 and '49 Dewey examples have the same "chunky" crown that Ken makes reference to, while the watch ID'ed as Cambridge has a more traditional thin one.

1947 ad

 

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1949-dewey-6604

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1945-dewey-7074

1948 ad

 

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1949-cambridge-5309

 

Is subject watch a variant of one or the other? I am leaning to Dewey based on crown, identical face and hands. Ads for Cambridge don't show spring bar holes in lugs and appear to depict a difference in the crown recess, but that may just be the drawings.

Just thought I would throw this out there for discussion.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 10, 2018 - 12:51pm

I'm splitting hairs here, but I think the crown is a replacement. It is a bit thicker than the original, but the same diameter. I have seen these before on the same period watches, and they were a bit delicate looking, with a slightly domed centre.

Regardless, it is a Bulova crown and probably makes winding easier, which was an issue with some of the older ones.

I'm not sure what to make of this, the engraving may likely make it an entirely different model, but I do see the definite case similarities with the Dewey. I've certainly never seen one of these before, it is a handsome watch indeed!

Unknown for now. 

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 11, 2018 - 9:52am

In reply to by Reverend Rob

Thanks Rob, I'll agree, crown could be a replacement but bears more of a resemblance to crowns on Deweys in the Db, than others. Overall condition suggests crown is original, but anything is possible.

I agree, it is without a doubt possible this is  something entirely different. Bulova could be unpredictable with model ID's; changing name based on band for example. I don't know what to make of this one either.

My comments were basically "stream of consciousness" trying to figure it out; as opposed to suggesting assigning a name without a period ad. I was kind of leaning towards a variant as opposed to a third model name using the same basic case, movement, face and hands, which seems unlikely from a marketing standpoint, but who knows.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 10, 2018 - 4:14pm

Engraving detail

Kathy L.
Posted July 10, 2018 - 5:12pm

It certainly is a handsome watch and a nice find for you.  It may be a variant of one of the watches you have listed.  I think I am leaning toward unknown without an ad with the engraving.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 10, 2018 - 6:17pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Thanks Kathy, it's a pretty crisp example. I'm at unknown as well, but figured I would share my thoughts and theories to see what everyone else thinks. I was just kind of thinking out loud on this one.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 11, 2018 - 11:31am

That engraving is really nice, unusual as well. 

Geoff Baker
Posted July 14, 2018 - 9:32am

It's a beauty Bob. clean and crisp indeed. Looked a couple time this week, cant say I find a match either

1949 Bulova Unknown