Bulova 1943 -Non-Conforming

Submitted by Stinky_Sullivan on April 7, 2023 - 8:38pm
Manufacture Year
1943
Movement Model
10BA
Movement Date Code
X
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
210
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
G-S PA357 26mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This is a top loader with a 10BA movement and a sweep seconds hand. The case is almost identical my ‘45 Watertite.

There are 2 versions of the 10BA. One has a sub seconds and the other has a sweep seconds. Both versions use a split or solid stem depending on the model. Differentiation can be made by the presence of the exposed gold tone wheel over the train bridge. The model with that wheel has the sweep seconds. Without the wheel is the sub seconds version. This movement has an X date code indicating a 1943 date.

The hour and minute hands are identical to my ‘45 Watertite except these hands lack the lume. These hands could have been used on multiple models with or without lume as it’s called for. Another possibility is that they are replacement hands that never had the lume applied. My conclusion is that this model did not have lumed hands as this is not a lumed dial. I’m not suggesting lumed hands are only with lumed dials. This dial has a very minimalist look to it so unlumed hands would fit the design. 

I would be inclined to say this is some variant of Watertite except I found no version of Watertite that’s completely lacking numbers on the dial. I’ve also searched the member watches for all models using the 10BA movement. None of them have a dial resembling this one. The case is 9/16 or 14mm between the lugs and the crystal is 26mm.

1943 Bulova dial
1943 Bulova case back
1943 Bulova inner case 210 stamp
1943 Bulova 10BA sweep seconds
JimDon5822
Posted April 10, 2023 - 10:17pm

I agree this is a Watertite case with a replaced dial.  Since the dial is replaced and not a redial I will go with 1943 Non-Conforming

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 12, 2023 - 8:09pm

I'm afraid I have to go 1943 Non-Conforming as well.