Bulova 1921 Lady Maxim

Submitted by Reverend Rob on July 19, 2014 - 3:19pm
Manufacture Year
1921
Movement Model
AAI
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
31279
Case Serial No.
1087567
Case shape
Other
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

I didn't spot this one right away, it came in because it is missing its movt ring and the accompanying stem tube, so tends to move in the case. 

What I think is interesting is that the watch retains its original band, in full functioning condition, and has been passed down from mother to daughter to granddaughter intact. 

Rubaiyat or Lady Maxim?

Rev Rob Lady Maxin I 07 20 2014
1921 Bulova watch
1921 Bulova watch
1921 Bulova watch
JP
Posted July 19, 2014 - 3:45pm

Lady  Maxim. oontact  Rich Callamaras, he has a very good collection of both types and is very good at knowing which it is.

bobbee
Posted July 19, 2014 - 3:59pm

LM 1922 ad.

 

 

LM ad, 1921. Notice the "Globe" on the inside of the lid of the case?

 

 

You can see it better in this October 1921 ad.

 

 

"25 Year Octagon Case, 20 Year Round Case". Could that legend have bearing on case gold content all the time?

Agree with date, 1921 LM.

I don't just find these ads, I study them too!

That Grosgrain silk band is in extraordinary condition for a 93-year old Rob!

Reverend Rob
Posted July 19, 2014 - 4:17pm

It is, indeed, that's what I noticed when the customer took the watch off her wrist. 

For those interested in such things, $30 in 1921 is almost $400 today. Thanks for the ads and the notes, gents. I'm sure the customer will be interested to know the name of her watch after all these years.

bobbee
Posted July 20, 2014 - 4:03am

That's a lotta lolly!

The subject will be the $20 example at the bottom though, as the $30 example was solid gold!

Geoff Baker
Posted July 20, 2014 - 7:12am

Lady Maxim - nice one

William Smith
Posted July 23, 2014 - 1:30pm

Lady Maxim.  The band is great.  Looks like the floral pattern on silk cloth clasp almost matches engraving on center of dial.  

bobbee
Posted July 24, 2014 - 6:46am

ReverendRob, do you see the "These are standardized watches and guaranteed Railroad Accuracy" legend?

Those p/w's with the special regulators would appear to bear this out.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 24, 2014 - 9:47am

I could see the pocket watches maybe being 'RR Accuracy' but not the wristwatches. This is a pretty general claim, and would mean different things in different countries. I know later on, the US insisted that RR standard watches had to be lever set to avoid any possible changing of the set time, but not sure when that one came into effect. 

William Smith
Posted August 29, 2014 - 4:49pm

Bobbee's on to something....His 1922 ad (again below).  For the $30 Octagonal- is the text describing and graphic depicting an engraved case? Am I seeing the wording for the octagonal LM saying "...solid white gold engraved case-dial.." or am I seeing things?
  

Looking at the $30 watch below the octagonal example, the text says "...Solid 14kt. engraved white gold case...".  

The 1921 ad bobbee posted has an $18 round and a $20 octaganal LM which appears to be smooth (not engraved).  The text in this second ad gives no indication of engraving, but price and text (25 year octagon case) suggests gold content of these "cheaper" Lady Maxims".

Based on this these 1922 and 1921 ads.
(engraved??) Octagonal $30 solid gold Lady Maxim
(non-engraved??) Octagonal $20 gold filled Lady Maxim.

bobbee
Posted September 21, 2014 - 1:48pm

You are onto something Will, no unengraved LM's in any ads.

That means this is a 1920 Rubaiyat.