After seeing the 1944 Montgomery Ward ad listed on this site, I've decided to change the model from Aviator to Cadet. This is the most conclusive proof I've seen as to which model this is. Thanks to Jerin for providing the ad and Stephen for posting it. NOTE: The dial on this watch has been refinished and the numbers on the sub dial were left off by the refinishing CO. This seems to have added to the confusion as to the model of the watch. Confirmed with 1944 Montgomery Ward ad
In reply to Stephen, you have all the by Bob Bruno
Hmmmm, this confusses things even more. I'm almost 99% sure the movement is 1945 as the 10BC seems to have been used from 1944 onwards, as all the records I have and all the 10BCs on ebay show 1944 to 1950 date stamps.
10BC movements I have seen and recorded: 1944 = circle, 1945 = triangle, 1946 = 46, 1947 = 47, 1948 = 48, 1949 = J9.
I do think that the '7' on the dial holds the key to the model.
Bob, I didn't realise you have a Hamilton Piping Rock!!! A dream watch of mine....very nice.
In reply to Hmmmm, this confusses things by Stephen Ollman
In reply to OK just so I have it by Stephen Ollman
In reply to What a mystery. If mine was by rsmith
rsmith - your movement is date stamped J9 which indicated to me 1949. I'd say that Bulova transitioned betwen the date shapes and the 2 digit date codes from 1946 onwards.
Bob - I tend to agree, whilst the movments were often made off shore is Switzerland (by Bulova still) the cases were made in the US. Whilst I don't find a great deal of correlation between serial number and date of release I do see it more with the model of the watch.
The 10BC movement was definately not made in 1935. If it was a 1935 model it would have a 10an/10ae movement. The 10bc was in production from around 1943 onwards. I would say this watch is definately a 1945 model.
Is it not an Aviator? The dial certainly is the one used in the Aviator rather than the Cadet. Could it be that the Cadet case has been used to house the Aviator Dial/Movement which has been switched at some stage?
In reply to The 10BC movement was by GVP
G J Watches, Thanks for joining the conversation. I reluctantly agree with you and Stephen that the watch is a 1945 model. I really wanted the WWII story to be true. The Aviator hmmmm. Another leed to follow. Did you see the ad from 1946 that Stephen posted ? He thinks the model name starts with CAMB or CAMD. The only thing I can come up with Cambridge or Camden , but no such model exists on a google search. Thanks again for your input.
Bob
Just looked at the two 45 Aviators on this sight. Both have a 10AK movement rather than the 10BC that are used in our mystery watch. Our watch has tear drop lugs, the Aviator dosen't. The bezel on our watch is engraved with some sort of black inlay, the bezel on the Aviator is smooth, and finally that darn number 7 is different. I think we can rule out the Aviator.
Bob
In reply to Just looked at the two 45 by Bob Bruno
Hi
I can also only come up with the model range "Cambridge", If anyone has the 1952 G-s Crystal Catalogue the Cambridge A model has a crystal on pg24 cx873 (x873) although i think this will be a rectangular style. Thats not to say that the Cambridge doesn't have a B,C D E etc though
In reply to Just looked at the two 45 by Bob Bruno
Here is a link to an expired ebay auction listing what they call a 1949 Aviator. It has the 10BC 15 j movement and a stamped date code of "A9" (I'm assuming its a stamp on the back of the case and not the one on the movement). Looks like our mystery watch. Looks like it has a replacement strap on it as I believe mine has the original expansion bracelet. When I get mine back this week I'll check to see if there is an A9 (or any other date code) stamp on the back of the case.
Rick