Bulova 1923 156

Member for

5 years 6 months
Submitted by Kathy L. on October 14, 2022 - 10:35am
Manufacture Year
1923
Movement Model
10AI
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
76021
Case Serial No.
1215336
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Crystal details
18.8 Round
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

I picked this up in a lot 3 watches not realizing they were Lisa's watches.  I can see why they may have not gone to auction because they are not pristine but I don't mind that, all the movements seem to be working which is nice.  

This one has a damaged dial and is missing a minute hand.  It has a 10AI 15 jewel movement.  Is 18K gold filled with the GF stamped on the end of the case.  I really love the engraving on this one.  I look forward to hearing what you think it might be.

watch
watch back
dail
movement
inside casebook
end

Member for

8 years 4 months
neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 14, 2022 - 11:05am

Lisa ID'ed this very watch as a "156", but It doesn't match the ads . Very cool, I don't recognize the engraving pattern.

Still looking......

Member for

9 years 1 month
Alex
Posted October 14, 2022 - 11:05am

Hi Kathy, the watch is a 155/156 from very early 1923. It has engraving style number 6 of the total 8 engraving styles this model had. Only 2 are recorded so far making it the rarest engraving of the 8. 

Member for

5 years 6 months
Kathy L.
Posted October 14, 2022 - 11:21am

Hi Alex,  Do you know if this model might have also come with the dial from the other 155?  I was thinking about replacing the dial with a better one.  Very nice surprise to have gotten a rare one.

Member for

9 years 1 month
Alex
Posted October 14, 2022 - 11:28am

The second one has a flower dial, straight number and outer minute marker. Yours has the plain dial, curly numbers, outer minute marker. Give it is so rare I would keep the picture on this website "as is" to record it in original state. If you still want to change the dial is up to you, as long as you keep this picture on this website. 

Member for

5 years 6 months
Kathy L.
Posted October 14, 2022 - 11:35am

In that case I will keep the dial and just get it serviced and find a new minute hand, thanks.  Is it a 155 based on being gold filled?

Member for

9 years 1 month
Alex
Posted October 14, 2022 - 9:11pm

The dial will clean up nicely just with a cotton tip and toothpaste. The numbers are hard baked enamel by the looks of it. If they are paint, the coton tip and toothpaste will rub them off, but hard baked enamel numbers will stay. It will make the dial like new again since it is silver. 

Member for

8 years 4 months
neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 14, 2022 - 11:29am

Alex, is the differentiation between 155 and 156 solely based on gold content?

Member for

9 years 1 month
Alex
Posted October 14, 2022 - 9:14pm

Yes, from just two examples in the ads of June 1923 and April 1924, a system could be derived that the 1 stands for 10 ligne, the 5 for 15 jewels and the 5/6 for the shape, where the 6 is solid gold version and the 5 is gold-filled version. Bulova didn't continue with this changing to names. Since this watch is from before this June 1923 ad, I tend to go for 156.

Member for

6 years 5 months
JimDon5822
Posted October 15, 2022 - 1:02am

I will defer to the most amazing Alex for the ID.  Bulova 156.