Bulova 1944 Medico

Submitted by timeless on April 13, 2018 - 11:49pm
Manufacture Year
1944
Movement Model
10BA
Movement Date Code
X
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
4208543
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Watch is in same used condition as when purchased; although I may have had it serviced...don't recall. I'm posting because there is no 10BA ss movement listed here...that I could find... and to learn if this model finally has a name.

[1943 10BAss] Bulova Air Warden
[1943 10BAss] face
[1943 10BAss] case hallmark
[1943 10BAss] case serial #
Reverend Rob
Posted April 14, 2018 - 12:11am

The 10BA and 10BAC are both from the ETA 900 ebauche. Technically, this example should have been stamped 10BAC but was modded specifically for Military use. It's not a Military contract watch, but clearly could be used as such and may have been available in kit shops.

Stainless back is standard, but Sterling with gold fill is a bit unusual, called Vermeil. 

Looks like an Air Warden to me...

 

Geoff Baker
Posted April 14, 2018 - 7:50am

I wonder if the sterling was substituted as a result of the war effort to use steel for armament?

timeless
Posted April 14, 2018 - 1:06pm

I'm pretty sure that is the reason.

Gruen was doing the same during this time period. US joined the war effort before we joined forces.

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 15, 2018 - 7:48am

Air Warden gets my vote.

plainsmen
Posted April 15, 2018 - 12:53pm

I'm good with the Air Warden.

jabs
Posted April 15, 2018 - 1:06pm

1944 (by case number) Air Warden

Geoff Baker
Posted April 21, 2018 - 10:20am

We have several watches ID'd as Air Warden. Some have slight variations inb the dials but basically all the same case.

1944 Bulova Air Warden

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted September 29, 2023 - 8:41am

While the Air Warden and the Medico appear to use the exact same case from 1942-1949, there is a defining difference. The Air Warden uses a 15 jewel movement with a small seconds. The Medico uses a 17 jewel movement with a sweep seconds. All of the ads for both the Air Warden and Medico support these distinctions.