Bulova 1937 Biarritz

Submitted by FifthAvenueRes… on June 12, 2013 - 12:55pm
Manufacture Year
1937
Movement Model
6AM
Movement Date Code
Arrow
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
7301404
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Crystal details
Federal MX4 271 138
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case measures 40mm lug to lug x 18.5mm non inclusive of the Crown using Calipers.  White Dial shows applied Gilt Arabic numerals and Bulova signature, track is prined in Black.  Hour and Minute Hands are toast, believed to be Gilt or Blued (Black) Modern style.  Snap fit Caseback is stamped as shown.* an ambitious project to say the least but worthy of the effort, a Diamond in the rough, as found

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
bourg01
Posted June 12, 2013 - 1:28pm

Ouch! I see alot of rust on this bad boy Mark. I looked through my spares to see if I have a movement you could use but don't have any that early. 1st thought would be for a Pres but I'll have to go have a good look around the ads before I make any call on it. Pretty nice watch dude, well worth restoring so I'll keep my eye out on my parts and stuff cause I'm sure I have a couple of these movements somewhere.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 13, 2013 - 12:31am

This will look fantastic when restored. Will hit the ads to see what I can find. Pres is my first thought as well but the 17J is throwing a small red flag. It's probably nothing but will check when I get home tonight.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 13, 2013 - 7:32am

Spot on find!

Biarritz for me too. The lugs in the ad look a little different but I think its just the drawing.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted June 13, 2013 - 9:12am

agreed, We often forget most of these old ads are simply drawings, artist renditions which then had to be transferred by Hand to a printing block for print.  In comparing new image #5 above to the ad it becomes clearer that the Case is a match.  The Dial is off and ready for a refinsh.  The Movement will go to the Watchmaker today for a verdict, amazingly the balance swings but He's not going to be happy with the rust. The nicety is they seem readily available as the 6AM was also used in Ladies pieces of this era, finding a suitable replacement with an Arrow datecode will be the challenge.  2 differing Crowns are shown to fit in this application, #'s 121 and 151. #151 is very small so it would be for the Ladies Models. Crown #121 will be correct.  Once the Glass is fitted I can polish the Case which has not been done at this point, a work in progress.

 

William Smith
Posted June 13, 2013 - 3:36pm

I'm good with 1937 Biarritz.  Good project watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 14, 2013 - 8:32am

Looking forward to seeing the "after' shot.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 1, 2013 - 11:53am

Biarritz. I like these long curved watches. Nice find, Mark. 

mybulova_admin
Posted July 2, 2013 - 7:12am

The bigger the curve the smaller the movement :-)

An easy fix to the mainspring!