Dial is in poor shape. Good leather strap. Runs. Stainless steel case.
In reply to Nova, 1st clue to Me was the by FifthAvenueRes…
How does it differ from the dial in the 1930 ad?
What's your theory, then, on why mine has center sweep seconds, and it is also an early '40s model? It differs from all three examples that are believed to also be from the early 40s.
By the way, is see no evidence that mine has been touched. It appears to have never been opened, and everything looks original. Definitely not a redial. In fact, it was so dirty and stuck together that I'm thinking I have the guy's watch that was dropped in the ocean in the early '40s and was recently rediscovered. Somehow, it ended up on eBay.
Center seconds variant Nova, not uncommon.
As with the early 40's Military pieces, some were configured center seconds and some were sub second Dialed, both based on the same 10AK mvt.
Although not shown in any ad the early 40's 'WATER TITE' has been seen in both configurations, this thread proves that.
Better view of the 30's version:
This case design, minus the engraving looks a lot like Timemachines unknown.
Ok, thanks to myBulova_admin and a pair of needle nose pliers, I got the stem out (see my new pictures in this revised posting) but now what? Should I pry off the crystal? I'm no watchmaker, have only enough knowledge to be dangerous. I dont know if I could ever get it back on.
I tried to change the date in the posting to "unknown" but couldn't, so left if at 1951 for now.
Gary
In reply to Ok, thanks to myBulova_admin by wgcinder
The movement has to come out through the front, so, yes, the crystal has to come off.
Hopefully, one of our resident watchmakers will tell you a good way to do that. My crystal was already cracked and was well glued down, so it went to pieces when I removed it. If yours is in good shape, you may be able to very gently pry it off.
That is a much better view of the '30s version, Fifth. Nice engraving, matching bracelet, and font style--all characteristic of the late '20s - early '30s timeframe.
Hopefully, we're all comfortable now with 1930 as the date of that first Watertite ad (as well as the fact that the poster's watch is not the one pictured in that ad).
This could be a European release of a later model Watertight. The 1942 model I have has a 10BE 17J Swiss made movement and the caseback is stamped inside "Bulova watch Co. Swiss, Stainless Steel and it is not serialised.
North American versions usually reference USA or Fifth Ave but who's to say for sure.