Bulova 1927 Joan

Submitted by jabs on December 1, 2015 - 3:03pm
Manufacture Year
1927
Movement Model
5AF
Movement Date Code
Square
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
24323
Case Serial No.
8380561
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova & American Standard
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

I guess like Jeanne here, but I do not see full compliance engraving on attached advert and subject watches

movement 1927, case 1928

EDIT

with new crystal and crown

1928 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Alex
Posted December 2, 2015 - 1:53am

This watch had many names in the various ads we have on this website. The image used in the ads was always the same, just the name was different. We have Jeanne in ads of December 1924 and September 1925, we have Joan, in an ad of December 1925 and December 1927, and Jola in an ad of August 17 1927. The picture of the ad you placed here is from 26 September 1925.

Your watch is from 1927. The year is identified by the "American Standard" signature, that is is typical of 1927, despite the serial number starting with an 8. This serial number with the first 3 digits starting with 838 has been identified ealier by me as a series of numbers that are from 1927 given their specific signature with American Standard and not New York, further confirmed by the movement date code. More detail you can read here: http://www.mybulova.com/forums/where-are-1927-bulova-ladies-watches

For 1927 we have two names: Jola or Joan. The sequence of names in the ads from 1924 to 1927 is Jeanne - Jeanne - Joan - Jola - Joan.  So I would tend to say that Jola was an exception, and hence go for the Joan name.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 2, 2015 - 7:04am

Alex, I know how much research you've put into the date coding and appreciate your work. I'm still not 100% certain I'm willing to date this watch as 1927. You are absolutely correct that this little gem had three names over the period in question. I'm tentative on calling her a 1927 Joan. I'm more inclined right now to calling her 1928 Joan. I know it's a technicality but agree we CAN call her Joan.

Alex
Posted December 2, 2015 - 9:56pm

I know it is a lot to take in, but it works: whenever you see an American standard signature with a serial number starting with an 8 or a 9......... Bingo! The movement is 1927. There is another trick to know if those cases are 1927 or not: the color of the gold. As from 1928, the Bulova cases are a bright shiny blue-ish white gold. Probably the result of rhodium plating that seem to have been invented around that time. Before 1928 the white gold color is more dull, yellowish. Maybe one day we have a call so I can explain further!

jabs
Posted December 6, 2015 - 8:00am

New crystal and crown replaced, view in main description