Bulova 1927 Lone Eagle

Submitted by plainsmen on March 25, 2013 - 11:59pm
Manufacture Year
1927
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
227849
Case Serial No.
6635469
Case shape
CornerCut
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova & American Standard
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Well.... here it is boys.  The heart gem of my collection.  I got this last year for a pretty decent price.  I haven't had the inclination to get it fixed up until a few weeks ago when I sent it to Mike @ Timemachines.

We've got a full service, new hands, new handcut mineral crystal, new factory matched Westminster Morrocan Leather Band out of England, and a newly redialed (sans killer radium) dial.

This turned out soooooo sweet gents.

Same as all the other 5000's... with Steve's research the movement and case show in that magical stretch of the 1st 5000 issued as Lone Eagles.

I think Mike did a fantastic job!

1927 Bulova Lone Eagle 5000
1927 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
1927 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
bourg01
Posted March 26, 2013 - 7:54pm

Ooops , I didn't catch that either. Happened to me, my LE turned out to be a Conquerer so I bought another Le based on admins movement data.

Admin, you made the call on mine, let your expertise shine on this one. I'm on the fence again with this one. No vote till we see more comments as a 1926 movement could have very well been used in the !st 5000, Stephen, your thougts?

mybulova_admin
Posted March 26, 2013 - 8:45pm

In reply to by bourg01

Conqueror models used a different movement. Normally a 1925 or 1926 10AP or 10P movement and had a different movement serial number sequence.

Again based purely on my research and having owned at one time or another 3 Conquerors and 2 Lone Eagles. Others may have their own thoughts or beliefs on this.

mybulova_admin
Posted March 26, 2013 - 8:16pm

Simple, cases and movements were indeed produced in 1926, but you cannot make 5000+ overnight. It's my belief that these were pre ordered in 1926 to meet the demand for the release as the commemorative watch to the pilot that made the first successful flight.

The prize offered by Bulova, I read started in 1926. Yes it took until May 1927 for a successful flight to actually happen, but its my belief that Bulova simply pre ordered the batch in 1926 so it would be ready to hit the market at a moments notice to capitalize on the hysteria of the occasion.

My research over the last 7 years has shown that the serial numbers associated with what I believe to be the original 5000 batch so far all fall within a 5000 numbered range.

Gents, I'm not the Bulova god and I wasn't there back in 1926/27 so this is only my belief based on a lot of research and some level of logic of the sequence of events.

If you want to call it a Concqueror that's fine by me.

For me with both the case and movement serial numbers what they are and the additional movement indicators its a 5000 LE. I won't mention that the hands are from the Conqueror, that's a minor point. :-)

mybulova_admin
Posted March 26, 2013 - 8:19pm

Oh and that's one hell of a beautiful redial!!!

Congrats again Jerin.

bourg01
Posted March 26, 2013 - 9:46pm

In reply to by plainsmen

Yep, I'm OK with that at well as I respect Stephen's research into this model  without question. So I'm off the fencne and agree with LE, one of 5000, congrats Jerin. You've truly found a treasuere to keep in the family for a long  time. Copy and print all the provinance you can so your future generations  may bene fit from it. I know you won't ever sell it!. Swet watch Bro, luv it.

Timemachines
Posted March 27, 2013 - 1:37pm

Nice watch Jerin!   got to love it!

Reverend Rob
Posted March 27, 2013 - 3:04pm

Interesting. Both movements were available, but the 10AP and 10P are by LePhare, a company renowned for its minute epeaters and chronographs. The 10AN is an ebauche from FHF. 

Based on the movt, it appears to be an LE, with, as Stephen noted, Conqueror type hands. 

LE it is.