Bulova 1943 Air Warden

Submitted by Aberlow on March 11, 2013 - 12:31am
Manufacture Year
1943
Movement Model
10BE
Movement Date Code
Asterisk
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
3214168
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
NOS aftermarket
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bought this from a panel member in non-working condition. It had a broken mainspring and some rust. After installing a new mainspring and crystal, and a thorough cleaning, oiling, and regulating, it is running beautifully. UPDATE: I have outfitted this piece with the correct hands and a band that more closely matches the original. 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
bobbee
Posted March 14, 2013 - 3:06am

The case SN dates this to 1943.
There are four ads for the Air Warden from 1943.
There are two Air Wardens in the watch DB with black dials, one that has had the radium cleaned off that looks exactly like this one, I know because it was mine.

William Smith
Posted March 14, 2013 - 3:42am

I didn't even look at Air Warden ads. Do we think the Night Hawk in 1941/1942 became the Air Warden  in 1943, or are they two (slightly) different watches?  
We do have five Air Warden's in the watch database, and they are all 1943/1944.  Geoff has an Air Warden published as 1942, but we just haven't updated it to 1944 based on the case SN.

mybulova_admin
Posted March 14, 2013 - 6:28am

Movement is date stamped 1941, case indicates 1943 if we go with the case serial number.

I think we had this conversation before about the dial on the subject watch being slightly different than both the Nighthawk and Air Warden (sub-second circle sits lower). I sear Sear used both names so its probably not a regional thing, but Ilike the idea behind the cross over from one to another in 1942 perhaps.

bobbee
Posted March 14, 2013 - 6:37am

Also noticed the similarity in the layout of the Apollo dial and the Air Warden dial (sub secs. dial).
Theorizing here, but maybe the pics for the Nighthawk were used for the newer Air Warden, but there had been a slight dial change in the interim?

Geoff Baker
Posted March 15, 2013 - 5:20am

So, we have an Air Warden?

William Smith
Posted March 15, 2013 - 10:01pm

So with that one 1942 ad for Air Warden, it makes the 1941/42 Nighthawk vs 1943/1944 Air Warden transition a little harder.  It may not affect subject watch, as it's a 1943.

mybulova_admin
Posted March 18, 2013 - 6:19am

So heads or tails :-)

I'm thinking tentative Air Warden as it offers the best chance.

Aberlow
Posted April 9, 2013 - 11:39pm

Anyone have opinions on the recent modifications?

William Smith
Posted April 10, 2013 - 12:44am

very nice I just noticed the new pictures love those hands and the band.