Bulova 1935 Clock

Submitted by plainsmen on December 29, 2013 - 11:35pm
3120
Manufacture Year
1935
Movement Model
3120
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
NA
Case shape
Other
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Additional Information

Alrighty gents.... this is a first for me.  I just picked this up off the bay for $26 shipped!  Repairs/parts but man that thing is a looker!  I can't wait to get it fixed.

There is a plate on it says:

Bulova Electric Clock

Model Number "3120"

So I'm assuming that's what we'd call it.  The very limited number of Clock ads we have show that these did in fact have model names, but we don't have one that shows this.  I'm guesstimating on the date as we do have Bulova Electric Clock ads from the 30's.

Vintage Bulova Clock
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
William Smith
Posted December 29, 2013 - 11:39pm

Dating the patent number would at least give you an earliest possible date.  Nice clock.

plainsmen
Posted December 30, 2013 - 12:17am

Ah... hrmm... 

1929     1696897

1930     1742181

So, with a patent number of 1700506 we're looking at a patent date of somewhere between 1929-1930 for the movement at least.

It's probably more along those lines.  Thanks Will.

 

Geoff Baker
Posted December 30, 2013 - 5:58am

I love it! I have no idea what to call it but it is a thing of beauty.

mybulova_admin
Posted December 30, 2013 - 6:28am

$26, you're kidding right...I hate you!!

That is an absolute stunner and should fit snuggly on your wrist!

Great buy Plains!!!!

Oh and we have a general Clock category for beauties just like this.

Reverend Rob
Posted December 30, 2013 - 8:47am

Nice clock. We should be ok using the number on the ID plate. It probably also has an actual name, like all Bulova clocks, but that's going to be tricky to find. 

I still see these types of movts, they come in for repair, and was under the impression the electric or quartz clocks with mechanical chimes were extinct, but I recently found that they are still being made.

JP
Posted December 30, 2013 - 12:04pm

Very cool clock.

plainsmen
Posted December 30, 2013 - 12:31pm

Thanks everyone....

Rob...  a different seller has this exact model for sale but runnning:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-MUSICAL-BULOVA-VINTAGE-ELECTRIC-CLOCK-WORKS-Model-3120-/331093101972?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d16afcd94

I can see now where the "electrical" part of the movement comes in, but hrmm... that doesn't seem to have been spliced in there well.... at least not every cosmetically good looking.

Is that what someone's going to have to do to fix this one?  

(ALSO:  Wow the dials on this model sure seemed to hold up well)

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 30, 2013 - 3:58pm

Jerin,

I've been dabbling a bit in wood. The Case will clean up nicely when wiped with Mineral Spirits followed by denatured Alcohol (cleans without damaging the original finish) and any bare spots (if any) can be fixed with Old English liquid (for Dark wood). Follow up w Lemon oil.

Nice!