Bulova 1951 Watertite

Submitted by Traveler on April 19, 2024 - 1:30pm
L
Manufacture Year
1951
Movement Model
10BTC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
208975
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This watch was a 10th anniversary gift from my wife’s grandmother to her grandfather, as seen on the engraving on the back.  Despite the engraving date, I believe the watch is a 1951 based on the date stamped on the inside of the case-back.  I think it may be a Watertite “L”, but it may also be a different variant. The main reason for that is that I wonder if band may be original, and the ”L” already in the database has a bracelet.  

It is a small watch even by older standards.  There are none of the typical date codes on either the case or movement, just a “51” stamped inside the case back, similar to others in the database.

The recipient of the watch spent his entire career at Bulova, retiring sometime in the 1970s.  He certainly had other watches, so I wonder if this got little wrist time which allowed it to maintain the original band.  The band is a light gray leather and thickly padded.  It has no identifying marks.

Face
Overall view
Case Back with Engraving
Inside of case back
Movement with case spring removed
JimDon5822
Posted April 20, 2024 - 9:59pm

Thank you for posting this watch.  This is the second example in our database.  1951 Bulova Watertite "L"

Watertite LWatertite L

Kathy L.
Posted April 20, 2024 - 10:39pm

That looks like a good match Jim.

 1951 Bulova Watertite "L"

mybulova_admin
Posted April 21, 2024 - 5:39am

Not that it matters much, but I do believe I'm seeing an L2 on the movement just above the word 'UNADJUSTED''.

1951 Bulova Watertite "L"

Traveler
Posted May 2, 2024 - 12:12pm

I finally got a chance to look, yes, it is L2.  Not sure how I missed that.  There is a sort of spring ring that fits between the movement and case back that obscures it when it is in place, but obviously it is out for the photos.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 3, 2024 - 3:50am

1952 and the 'L' is on an expansion bracelet. 

 

On a leather strap it could be any other number of variants.