Hello everybody and thank you for your time and interest in my watch. My grandfather died in 1976 when I was 6 years old. Later on in my life, maybe mid-twenties I came across these two watches in a little blue box. These were with some other personal effects of my grandfathers. But I don't know what happened to them.
Fast forward to a few couple of months ago and I found a book of old photos of my grandfather and his friends in 1936-1938. I told my mom I would scan some in for her. Then a couple of weeks back, my girlfriend and I were talking about foreign money and I pulled out the family coin collection. What do I find? The little blue box. But now I am older and recognize something interesting when I see it.
The little blue box turns out to be the original Bulova box for the other watch, but we can look at it later.
This watch really intrigues me. It think because of the beautiful art deco design. So, I proceeded to start searching all over the Internet for old Bulova watches. I found a lot of really good information. Once I started gathering all of the information together, I noticed something. Almost all of the good info came from myBulova.com. So I decided to fire up an account and ask the experts what they thought this watch was exactly. Unfortunately I cannot find an advert with this exact square case.
Oh and I mentioned some photos before, that is because I believe this is a photo of my grandfather wearing this watch. The photo is dated 7-25-1937. My grandfathers name was Robert John Whalen.
I don't think we have found the ID on this one yet, I love these old stepped cases, I do know that there is one very similar to yours that has been ID'd as a "Barron" model, it has more engraving on the case.
Yours looks like it would be a pretty easy restoration, dial/hands refinish, good case polish, new crystal and a movement service. If you have the old band, that would be the biggest plus.
These old family heirlooms are the best part of the ID process, lots of wonderful stories and the interest it creates in keeping these old works of art alive!
Welcome aboard!
Greg
Hi Greg, thanks for the information. I will look at some adverts and see if I can find a "Barron." This is the band that was on the watch and wouldn't know where the original is, so I would have to track one down and purchase it.
As far as restoration, that is something I am considering doing. The movement does work, albeit very slow, so if probably needs a good cleaning and lubing. I don't know if I would attempt it. I am very mechanically inclined, but not really for soemthing this delicate. Are there any reputible watch repair places you guys might recommend in the Southern California area?
Finding this watch again was a thrill. I will get some pictures of the second watch taken and post them. That is a 1956 Bulova, but I haven't researched it as well as this one.
Thanks!
Mike
In reply to Hi Greg, thanks for the by Michael Scott
http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1929-unknown-5132
Here is a link to the one that I was thinking of, it looks like it also has different engraving....off to search some more...Mr Baker also owns the Barron...
In reply to http://www.mybulova.com/watch by OldTicker
Here is another that looks fairly similar also, but with slightly different engraving. This one was posted by Yakovlev.
Sorry, its not a Barron, but the Bourbon which Mr. Baker also owns
In reply to Sorry, its not a Barron, but by OldTicker
In reply to It looks like yours is now by OldTicker
I was looking at the patent PDFs you guy have online. One of them is dated Jan 11, 1927. This is stamped inside the rear cover of the case. Does this mean this watch should have one of those little clear covers? Is that another eBay item? I can imagine it would be important to keep dust out.
http://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/watches/Bulova%207_0.jpg
