Bulova 1940 Diadem

Submitted by Lynleykins on December 12, 2023 - 7:52pm
Manufacture Year
1940
Movement Model
5A8 or 5AB
Movement Date Code
Omega
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
C12991
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
10 x 10 mm
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

This watch was with my mother's jewelry and I suspect it was given to her by an aunt. The wristband is too small for her. I did take it to a fine jeweler. They told me the stones were diamonds. The case is stamped 14K. 

This is the front on the watch
This is the inside of the watch removed from the case
This is the clockface outside of the case
This is the back of the case
This is the whole watch including the wristband
JimDon5822
Posted December 12, 2023 - 9:13pm

Thank you for posting your mother's watch.   I believe you have dated this watch 10 years older than it is.  It is a 1940 model and based on this ad I believe it to be a 1940 Bulova Diadem.  This is a first for the database and the oldest Diadem we have seen.   Please confirm the number of diamonds.   It should be 12.

Diadem

Geoff Baker
Posted December 12, 2023 - 9:57pm

I count 12 diamonds. Omega date code is either 1930 0r 1940, for this watch it is 1940.

1940 Bulova Diadem. Great heirloom piece.

Alex
Posted December 12, 2023 - 9:59pm

Beautiful! Diadem.

Lynleykins
Posted December 13, 2023 - 12:28pm

Thanks for your help! Do you know if the wristband is original? The clasp is engraved with "Speidel 1/20 -10K.G.F.USA." Since my mom wasn't born until 1941, it must have come from one of her aunts. They were pretty stylish ladies! 

Geoff Baker
Posted December 13, 2023 - 9:14pm

My guess (emphasis on the word GUESS) is that this bracelet was added later. It's difficult to determine from the advert posted above to know exactly what the original was. I think the current gold looks great.

Kathy L.
Posted December 14, 2023 - 10:16am

What a gorgeous watch and heirloom!

1940 Bulova Diadem

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 14, 2023 - 9:50pm

Very nice, thanks for sharing your heirloom with us.

1940 Diadem