Bulova 1943 Watertite

Submitted by wgcinder on April 30, 2011 - 10:31pm
Manufacture Year
1943
Movement Model
10BA
Movement Date Code
X
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
273
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
25.6 mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Dial is in poor shape. Good leather strap. Runs. Stainless steel case.

wga-watertite-04302011
1943 Bulova watch
1943 Bulova watch
1943 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
NOVA
Posted May 1, 2011 - 10:13am

In reply to 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.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2011 - 12:01pm

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.

 

 

wgcinder
Posted May 1, 2011 - 12:38pm

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

NOVA
Posted May 1, 2011 - 1:59pm

In reply to 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.

NOVA
Posted May 1, 2011 - 2:06pm

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).

mybulova_admin
Posted May 2, 2011 - 1:33am

Hooray!!!

:-)

So once you get the movement out you should hopefully be able to solve the year.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 2, 2011 - 11:42pm

1943 - imagine that.

wgcinder
Posted May 2, 2011 - 11:46pm

So I finally did get the movement out. The crystal came off cleanly giving easy access. I'm afraid my latest photos don't show it clearly, but there is a distinct "X" on the movement (at the top in my photos 4 and 5).  That and the 10BA movement says 1943. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 3, 2011 - 12:07am

With a Case serial number of 273 this would be a very early production example of this design.

A very nice Watch.

bourg01
Posted September 21, 2011 - 3:21pm

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.