Bulova 1932 Bertram

Submitted by dhhirsch on April 13, 2013 - 9:58pm
Manufacture Year
1932
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
T
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
1090696
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Here's a fun one that I just received.  I got it for a winning bid of $39.99, which I consider a bargain for a neat two tone watch. I've added a nice brown band, and have it on my wrist as I submit this...  It matches up with one on Watchophilia and an ad for a model called the “Bertram”, but the ad says the Bertram had 21 jewel movements and mine has a 10AN 15 jewel movement.  Lisa's has a 17 jewel movement.  Mine is  running and has the “T” case code, which dates it to1932.  The case number is 1090696, which would date the case to 1931 (which corresponds to the ad for Lisa’s Bertram).  In addition to Lisa's, I found this discussion about a similar watch that has 17 jewels (and a fantastic band) http://vintagewatchforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&p=20760 . Also, the dial on mine is different from Lisa's and the one in the vintagewatchforums discussion, and they are all different from the one in the ad, which has a radium dial. So, given all of the anomalies, does this suggest there was a different model with the same case with an option to buy the watch for less with fewer jewels?  The ad lists the Bertram for $57.50 in 1931, which was a pretty pricey watch back then!    Anyway, I would appreciate the panel's thoughts and insights...

 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted April 20, 2013 - 7:33am

1932 'UNKNOWN'

mybulova_admin
Posted April 20, 2013 - 7:53am

Yeah I'm good with a tentative Bertram. The dial and movement certainly look to be non-original.

This two-tone case seems to be unique to the Bertram model.

plainsmen
Posted April 20, 2013 - 12:17pm

Bertram... I've seen so many early 30's models with switching between this dial and the lumi dial.  I don't have any proof to this but it sure seems like it was a couple transition years.

dhhirsch
Posted April 20, 2013 - 1:33pm

From all of the comments, a switch on the movement seems likely since its only 15 jewels, but both Lisa's and the one on the discussion board I provided a link to had 17 jewels not 21.   Also, I'm not surprised about the conclusion about the dial switch, since the numerals on mine are different then the examples on Watchophilia and one on the discussion board.  Also, the hands clearly are replacements...  Interesting that the ad says radium dial and hands and all three of the examples with the Bertram case have gold applied numerals...    In real life the dial doesn't look as bad as in the close up, and I really love the Bertram case...