Bulova 1939 American Eagle

Submitted by Alex on September 9, 2014 - 5:53am
D
Manufacture Year
1939
Movement Model
7AP
Movement Date Code
Shield
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
none
Case Serial No.
9129613
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

When I bumped into this American Eagle, I thought....well, what can I possible add to mybulova.com with this watch, but here we go:

- it is an original 1939 model, the first year this version of the American Eagle came out

- and look at the dial, never seen this one before, except on the "Ambassador" in the same 1939 ad as where the American Eagle appeared

- and last but not least, an intriguing "B" before the "10K GOLD FILLED" (see pictures. Could this be a model indicator? As to say, this is the "American Eagle B"? Through the ads we already know the "A" and "C". We speculated that the beautiful "two tone even roman" American Eagle of OldTicker was the "B". Thinking about it, it makes more sense that this is the "B" since the dial design already existed in 1939 (see Ambassador in the ad), while this "two tone even roman" only shows up in the ads as from 1940  for the Beacon, Westchester and Minute Man, hence making that a possible "D" candidate for the American Eagle.

The watch is 20mm wide by 42mm high. It seems to have the original or at least time period correct metal strap indicating "Ensign 1/20-12KT Gold filled".

And somehow the contrast of my camera makes visible the wear on the case that is NOT visible to the naked eye!

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch advert
Alex
Posted September 9, 2014 - 5:54am

SO, I am curious for your reactions!

bobbee
Posted September 9, 2014 - 6:26am

Hi Alex, the "B" stands for Bulova!

Very nice watch, wish we knew the variant but as you know, non found yet. At least we know it's not the A or C!

American Eagle.

Alex
Posted September 9, 2014 - 6:41am

Haha, of course, the B of Bulova. It is that I have never seen it before. It normally just says "10K GOLD FILLED"

William Smith
Posted September 10, 2014 - 2:48pm

In reply to by Alex

That "B" in front of the case back gold hallmarks is pretty common on cases from this era.  We have several examples.

I agree w/ American Eagle unknown variant, and we can rule out A and C.  

Now let's see if we can somehow propose a variant based on stuff to date and maybe research done on other sites and discussion boards.

plainsmen
Posted September 10, 2014 - 12:13am

Yeah... it's an American Eagle, unknown variant number for now.

Geoff Baker
Posted September 10, 2014 - 6:03am

Agree with American Eagle ID.

jabs
Posted September 10, 2014 - 1:56pm

Agreed American Eagle

1955mercury
Posted September 12, 2014 - 2:05pm

"Gender: Ladies"

I thought this American Eagle model was a men's Bulova. Am I wrong?

Alex
Posted September 12, 2014 - 8:06pm

It is mens of course. Changed it!

Alex
Posted March 29, 2016 - 5:43am