Bulova 1939 Barbara

Submitted by Reverend Rob on February 11, 2014 - 12:20pm
Manufacture Year
1939
Movement Model
5AB
Movement Date Code
X
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
915431
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
Rose
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

This is a special one, my late Grandmother's little Bulova. She was married to my Grandfather Adam, who was a watchmaker also. I suspect the case and movt are not original to each other, and this makes perfect sense as these watches were simply meant to keep doing their job at the time. 

From a collector's standpoint it means it is not all 'original', but I may point out that Omega had a practice for years of swapping movts when the watch came in for service, in fact they were still doing it when I got there. It is a practice that continues to this day with other manufacturers also, both low and high end.

Anyway, this little gem gets the full CTR, and gets handed down as the family piece it is. 

Methinks it's a "Barbara".

 

Bulova Barbara
Bulova Barbara
Bulova Barbara
Bulova Barbara case back
Reverend Rob
Posted February 11, 2014 - 12:38pm

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted February 11, 2014 - 6:18pm

Rob,

What Year is the ad?

Good with the 'BARBARA' call although in this instance would suggest We Date the Watch to 1939, its' original Date of Manufacture.

Reverend Rob
Posted February 11, 2014 - 7:03pm

Good Point. The ad is '41. I'm fine with 1939. 

I don't know whether the watch was given to her new in 1939, or what, but I do know she wore it til she passed in the mid eighties. 

mybulova_admin
Posted February 12, 2014 - 4:37am

Bulova BARBARA works for me. A nice family piece with some history!

Geoff Baker
Posted February 12, 2014 - 6:12am

Rev - you really want me to believe that the watch worn by the wife and grandmother of a watch maker has not ONE service mark inside the case. C'mon man......

Seriously, I agree it's Barbara. I love these family heirlooms, you're most fortunate to have this beauty! What's the test to determine who treasures it in the next generation?

OldTicker
Posted February 12, 2014 - 8:15am

Lots of embellishment on that tiny case, "Barbara" with a swapped movement and a nice heirloom Rob.

Reverend Rob
Posted February 12, 2014 - 9:06am

Interesting point, Geoff. I have several of his watches, and although they do have service marks, maybe he only used these, possibly bill #'s for customers?  I guess I'll never know. I don't use bill or job #'s, only dates.