Bulova 1937 Gilda

Submitted by carly123 on August 13, 2023 - 7:10am
Manufacture Year
1937
Case Serial No.
962479
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
13mm
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

I have entered the year as an estimate as although I couldn’t find anything identical, there were some with similar features from around that time.   The watch is gold-coloured and says ‘14k’ on the back. It is set with white stones around the face.  I don’t think the watch works, but it is very pretty.  I was given it as a gift, so don’t know anything at all about it’s history and am hoping to find out more. 

Front of face
Back of watch
Front of watch
Alex
Posted August 13, 2023 - 8:20am

Dear Carly123, your watch is the Gilda and is from 1938, the year is was also advertised in the Saturday Evening Post. A very beautiful watch. Congratulations with this gift!

JimDon5822
Posted August 13, 2023 - 7:52pm

Assuming this is a 17J movement I agree that this would be a 1937 Bulova Gilda.

Gilda

 

carly123
Posted August 16, 2023 - 4:25am

Thank you - is there an easy way to check the movement or would I need to take it to a jewellers?  

Alex
Posted August 16, 2023 - 5:29am

You would need to open it up and make a picture of the movement. If you have never done that, it sounds scarier than it is. Just with a small knife in the seam between the top and bottom part of the case, wiggle a bit and it will open. 

carly123
Posted August 16, 2023 - 8:33am

I’ve managed to open it up but the front of the watch has come off rather than the back - I’ve added a new photo off the stage I e got up to. Not sure how to get the back off - there’s a slot in the side but I’m worried about damaging something if I stick the knife in the wrong place. 

mybulova_admin
Posted August 13, 2023 - 11:57pm

Everything looks good for a 1937 Bulova Gilda.

carly123  can you confirm 20 diamonds are set in the bezel as indicated by the advert?

carly123
Posted August 16, 2023 - 4:22am

It’s very difficult to count because they are so tiny and they are set in silver-coloured metal, but yes, it looks like there are 20 diamonds there. 

Kathy L.
Posted August 14, 2023 - 9:13pm

Gilda looks like a match to me, pending diamond count.  I would go by the case serial number and go with 1939.  Beautiful watch.

1939 Bulova Gilda

Alex
Posted August 16, 2023 - 5:08am

Ah, I classified it as 1938. Looking at the first digit I interpreted it being an 8, also looking at the last number in the serial number that is a 9 and looks different from the first digit.