Bulova 1945 Knickerbocker

Submitted by jabs on July 22, 2013 - 10:32am
Manufacture Year
1945
Movement Model
8AH
Movement Date Code
Triangle
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
5322426
Case shape
Square
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
18x18 mm
Gender
Mens
jabs 1945 Bulova knickerbocker 01 29 2014
1945 Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
1945 Bulova watch
alien Ant
Posted July 23, 2013 - 7:44am

I would not take any notice of those in the data base, they put their own names to watches back then.

mybulova_admin
Posted July 23, 2013 - 8:24am

OK so 1945 is the year of manufacture for the watch.

We have the following adverts:

1943 Computron, 17J, leather strap, sub-dial number - unsure, plain 7

1945 Knickerbocker, 17J, basket weave band, sub-dial numbers - yes, plain 7

1946 Knickerbocker, 17J, basket weave band, sub-dial number - unsure, plain 7

1946 Knickerbocker, 17J, basket weave band, sub-dial number - no, plain 7

1947 Clinton, 17J, basket weave band, sub-dial numbers - yes, curved 7

1948 Chief, 17J, basket weave band, sub-dial numbers - yes, curved 7

1949 Chief, 17J, basket weave band, sub-dial numbers - yes, plain 7

******************************************

All versions post the Computron came with the basket weave band. Mounted on the leather strap we could say its a Computron, but as we have 1945 adverts showing this as a Knickerbocker I would be more inclined to ID it as such. The Clinton came into play in 1947.

We have no adverts for the watch in 1944, so it is entirely possible that it was still called the Computron in the 1944 and part of 1945, or was re-badged the Knickerbocker in 1944.

Previous discussion can be found here: http://www.mybulova.com/node/1738

jabs
Posted July 23, 2013 - 8:29am

I found another post on mybulova, but I'm slower, I salute experts:

  • 1943 - Comptroller (17J, yellow gold filled case, gold hands and numerals, leather strap)
  • 1945/46 - Knickbocker (17J, natural gold, basketweave band)
  • 1947/49 - Clinton (17J, yellow gold, basketweave band)
  • 1948/49 - Chief (17J, yellow gold, basketweave/seed band)
mybulova_admin
Posted July 23, 2013 - 8:33am

In reply to by jabs

We have no adverts that I'm aware of that show a 1949 Clinton, It changed to the Chief in 1948.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 23, 2013 - 9:02am

don't recall where the image below originated but is Dated 1947, which I can neiter confirm or deny at this time.

 

The only ad showing and describing the subject Case on a Leather strap is for the 'COMPTROLLER'.

Was this combination Manufactured and Sold in 1945 alongside the 'KNICKERBOCKER' which is shown and described as being Sold on a 'Basketweave bracelet' .

?

mybulova_admin
Posted July 23, 2013 - 11:21pm

Might I suggest that the subject watch band is not original, so the basket-weave band may have been removed. 

If we can prove that the band made the difference only then yes I agree that it would be a Computron. BUT, the name change might simply be down to the year of release, which would make this subject watch a Knickerbocker without its original band.

Seeing that this watch had 4 names over as many years I'd suggest that it's down to the year and not the band. 

bourg01
Posted July 23, 2013 - 11:33pm

I tend to agree with Stephen here. I see the triangle date stamp on the movement confirming 1945. That would make it a Knickerbocker.

mybulova_admin
Posted July 27, 2013 - 6:20am

So both case and movement are stamped 1945.

Knickerbocker for me.