Bulova 1928 Natalie

Submitted by plees1 on December 17, 2016 - 2:13pm
Manufacture Year
1928
Movement Model
5AP
Movement Date Code
Cresent Moon
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
27445
Case Serial No.
8077313
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
14 x 11mm domed
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

14K WG case; six 3mm x 1mm baguette blue sapphires; movement is cradled in frame inside case with clear plastic dust protector back, allowing a view of the movement; The outside back is unmarked; the watch appears very similar to 1926 Theodora, but this one has a barrel shaped face and case with curved sides at 3:00 and 9:00, where the Theorora is rectangular with straight edges. 

1928 Bulova Natalie watch
1928 Bulova watch
1928 Bulova watch
1928 Bulova watch
Alex
Posted December 18, 2016 - 12:10am

Dear Plees1, your watch is the Natalie. Unfortunately we only have one blurry newspaper ad until now, but maybe more ads will show up in the future. You are correct saying it is similar to the Theodora. Bulova did that more often to bring a certain design i.e. 6 sapphires placed 3 by 3, and bring it to market in different case shapes. The Theodora is one, with a rectangular case, but in this collection is another one with tonneau shaped case, without a name for the moment: http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-unknown-4726

Enjoy your lovely watch!

Geoff Baker
Posted December 20, 2016 - 5:58am

HelloPlees1, welcome to myBulova. I think Alex is right, that your watch is the Natalie model, thanks for sharing it. The dust cover you mention is a feature of most Bulova watches from the mid 1920's and early 1930's. The patent date in the back cover is for that Bulova feature.

Here's the advert Alex referred to:

 

plees1
Posted December 20, 2016 - 10:36am

Thanks for both your responses. Excellent sleuthing on your parts! I am in agreement that it is the 'Natalie' and that ad is from 1929. As we know, the date stamp on the movement is from 1928, so there was production lag there, but not a surprising amount.  That is a very fuzzy ad. An interesting note, the 1926 'Theodora' cost $65 and the arguably more complex and heavier "Natalie' is only $60. Can you help me with deciphering the text? I have:

 

"Elegantly engraved 14 kt. (solid?) white gold (dust-proofed?) (case?) (set?) with 6 sapphires (or?) (emeralds?) 15 jewel (Bulova?) (movement?) ....$60.00 "

Alex
Posted December 20, 2016 - 6:27pm

Your text is correct. That is what it says. Most Natalie's I saw are from 1928 with a case serial starting with 80. Talking of case serial, please correct the case serial at the top of this page. It misses the last digit, a 3. Thanks!