Bulova 1934 Lone Eagle

Submitted by Geoff Baker on December 20, 2015 - 6:05pm
Manufacture Year
1934
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
402221
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

1934 Lone Eagle (style V). This beauty is virtually unworn and is in near perfect condition, it clearly was dearly treasured by it's ONE OWNER. It is wearing it's original bracelet and is resting peacefully inside it's original clam shell display case and comes with the original green Bulova cardboard storage box. The display case is also almost perfect, including the 1934 NRA sticker. Bulova used this sticker for only a year and a half. The NRA (National Recovery Act) was enacted in June of 1933 and declared unconstitutional in may of 1935. The clasp is personalized as noted below.

This watch is now back home - spending it's time in the Bulova Museum in the Empire State Building in New York City. 

Added 12/20/2015 Photos Updated5/25/2023

1934 Bulova Lone Eagle Geoffrey Baker 1 5/26/2023
1934 Bulova Lone Eagle Geoffrey Baker 2 5/26/2023
1934 Bulova Lone Eagle Geoffrey Baker 3 5/26/2023
1934 Bulova Lone Eagle Geoffrey Baker 4 5/26/2023
Geoff Baker
Posted December 20, 2015 - 6:06pm

Here's the 'rest of the story' on this watch.

His name is John M and mentioned in his eBay listing that this was his dear fathers watch. I sent him a message, explaining that I was a Bulova collector and would be proud to be the caretaker of this wonderful watch. We agree on a price that he felt was fair and he sent me the watch. I asked him to give me any history and following is the story he sent, I quote directly from his letter.

" Here is what I know of the history of the watch. Both my parents were relatively poor. My father started out as a coal miner in Pennsylvania. Later, because he spoke both English and Italian he became a shop steward of a textile plant in Patterson, New Jersey. Somewhere between those two jobs, he met my mother.

My mother's parents were both born in Italy and grew up in Nutely, New Jersey. They were quite poor and she quit school because she was made fun of because her clothes were out of fashion hand-me-downs. She educated herself through reading and crossword puzzles. You would never know she didn't finish High School.

By the initials it is determined that she gave this to my father before they were married but I do not know if there was an event celebrating this gift. I do know that the watch sold for $42.50 in the early 1930's, I've included a picture of an advertisement I found online. In todays dollars that is $650. So not having money she was able to buy this watch. It must have been an important occasion.

He boxed with the Golden Gloves for a while and also built the house we grew up in. He worked with his hands, seldom dressed up to wear a watch like this and therefore hardly wore this watch, if at all. It became a sore spot to get information from my mother when my dad died, Eventually mom died also.

The box was found in the back of a drawer. It must have meant a lot to him as he preserved it in the original box and case all his life. I have kept it for 25 years and had it serviced in 2002. I wore it 2 or 3 times and then decided it was too special and kept it as my father did, in it's original case.

It's time it gets to be part of a collection of other similar watches to be appreciated for what it once was, and now is - a part of history. "

Thank You John. I am honored to be the new caretaker of the wonderful old Bulova!

Geoff Baker
Posted December 20, 2015 - 6:06pm

I often wonder, like I suspect many collectors, what stories this old 'antique' thing could tell us.

There's a line in a Jimmy Buffet song that goes like this: "I wish that we could sit upon the bed in some motel, and listen to the stories it could tell."

It is SO exciting to hear the story of this watch, who bought it, who she gave it to and how greatly it was treasured. I know who those initials belong to and the story of their lives. It's a true joy.

Someday my own son will hopefully hold this beauty in his hand and think, like John, "I'm not sure I can part with this one." 

1955mercury
Posted December 20, 2015 - 7:57pm

When you know the history behind these watches it makes them that much more special. I've got two Hamiltons, a men's and a women's, that belonged to a couple from New Hampshire that were married for 60 years. I bought both of them because I thought they should continue to stay together.

JP
Posted December 20, 2015 - 8:15pm

Fantastic watch and wonderful story on the history.

1934 Eagle

JP
Posted December 20, 2015 - 8:16pm

Hmmm

Geoff Baker
Posted December 20, 2015 - 9:20pm

Oh, almost forgot, here's a family picture. I call this one "My Flock of Lone Eagles" 

They keep following me home, what can I do?

plainsmen
Posted December 20, 2015 - 10:08pm

Great watch... great story.  This is why I collect.

jabs
Posted December 21, 2015 - 4:14am

Nice collection

William Smith
Posted December 21, 2015 - 10:32am

Great watch. Fantastic story to keep with this Lone Eagle.  Your flock is growing bigger.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 25, 2015 - 5:43pm

In reply to by William Smith

As a matter of fact, it grew again this week. I bought an old Bulova off the bay because it had a nice old Spartan brand link style bracelet that I though I could use. It shows up attached to a 1930 Lone Eagle in near perfect condition, sans crystal. As it turns out it's the original link bracelet that CAME on the Lone Eagle AND still attached to one! Now what am I supposed to do?? Add one more to the photo I guess.....