This should get your attention, you will notice there is a centre sweep second hand so look forward to reading your responses. The movement is not named in the usual spot as the second hand gubbins (technical term) are in the way but it all looks right to me (I'm no expert though). I bought this with the intention to replace the dial with one of the 100 early dials I have only to find that I don't have a square dial without a sub second so would be happy to hear from anyone who has one spare. Having just checked and not seen anything quite like it on this site I might have to keep this dial on it even though someone has added initials and possibly a sacred heart to it - Patina to the max! or vandalism depending on your point of view.
Fascinating Luke, I love these one-off watches. I'd say the case is Revere. Revere did have sub seconds dial but it's possible. We have a couple other sweep seconds watches of this vintage (late twenties) so it could be regular production I suppose. I don't think the crown is original but that's not a surprise. I typically have my dials refinished but I'm not sure I would for this one.
In reply to Fascinating Luke, I love by Geoff Baker
Sold to me as a "doctors watch" so don't know if there's any history on that. I did have a look for other sweep second watches of a similar date on here but didn't notice any so if you get the time to point me in the right direction I'd be grateful, I didn't even spot any without a sub dial. Re the dial I might see if I can work out what type of paint has been used, if it's waterbased it might come off with a cotton bud and saliva, I'm all for showing your age but really not sure about the "artwork", guess it'll depend on if I keep it for it's rarity or move it on so I can get something else
In reply to Sold to me as a "doctors by PastyDuchy
Luke - I don't have a way to search the dB for sweep seconds but here's one of my watches, Like your watch, it has a 10AN movement, also 1929:
Could you please have another look at the movement serial number. I feel that there is one more number hidden under the center second hand wheel.
It certainly makes sense that this is an original piece, with the dial and movment combination. I'm not sure about the second hand, but it may be original too.
What's the initials on the dial "AB"???? Arde Bulova anyone ;-)
In reply to Could you please have another by mybulova_admin
In reply to Arde Bulova, wouldn't THAT be by Geoff Baker
The movement is configured differently to all the other 10AN movements I've seen on here and I believe this is because of the sweep second hand. If the second hand was added afterwards would the movement ID motif not be in its usual place? This configuration means the movement id motif can't go in its usual place and the positioning of this along with the date code serial number etc draws me to the conclusion it was done in the factory not afterwards. I'll check the serial number in a day or two as I'm doing a fair this weekend, I'll also check the other 10AN's I have to see if any are the same. I know you guys like concrete proof but I'm (fairly) confident it's all as it was made.
Regards, Luke
thanks Geoff for that link, I learned a lot going down that rabbit hole. As there seems to be a few of these movements with sweep second hands I hope we can all agree they're factory made. I have to say I'm really glad mine didn't come in a Cushion case ;)
Admin - I may have misunderstood your point about the second hand, are you unsure about the actual hand or the centre sweep configuration? Think you're right about the serial number.
In reply to thanks Geoff for that link, I by PastyDuchy
The hand itself. A large oversized hand seems odd....but as I said may be original and part of the design as it was obviously designed to be a second hand to be able to fit the second hand pinion.
Oh and as far as I am concerned it came out of the factory like this.