Bulova 1945 Military Issue

Submitted by FifthAvenueRes… on May 3, 2011 - 4:19pm
Manufacture Year
1945
Movement Model
10AK
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
OF104157
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

WWII Bulova ORD CORPS. Stainless Steel Case measures 39mm lug to lug x 32mm wide non inclusive of the Crown while using Calipers. White Dial shows Military standard Arabic numerals and Black printed tracks. Hour and Minute Hands are Military radium and a radium 10AK Military Seconds Hand appears on a sub Dial fully obscuring the 6. Anti-magnetic dust shield and Gasket between Caseback and Movement. 10 sided Stainless Steel Caseback screws on and is stamped as shown.

 * although the Movement is Dated to 1944 this style of Military Case did not appear until 1945-'46. as found - glass in poor condition.

 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
shooter144
Posted September 3, 2011 - 12:22am

In reply to by bourg01

Wanna build another one? My POS issue from Iraq died rather quickly lol, I gues one big boom was toooo much for it !!!

bourg01
Posted September 3, 2011 - 12:47am

In reply to by shooter144

Perhaps I should clarify. The NOS military ordinance issue watch case I purchased to build the watch came with 3 retaining rings, one for the Hamilton 987S ( which fit the 987 I used), one for Bulova which fits any version 10AK, 10BM or BH movement and one for Elgin that would fit any 6/0 size movement. I will also add that it came in original military packaging. Anybody with some knowledge and skill can build a watch, change a movement, dial etc and have something different to that which we see documented

And No, I don't want to build another one. It took me almost a year to find and aquire all the parts I used, it was inspired by having a family member, my brother, called to serve a tour of duty and getting back home in one piece. He's a watch nut too and now he has a watch that literally is one of a kind that will always be a family heirloom.

Some things can't be bought and his can never be duplicated.

Respectfully, Shawn

shooter144
Posted September 3, 2011 - 4:12pm

In reply to by bourg01

Totally understand, I tried to get mine back from the Doc that cut it off of my arm but he said it didnt work anymore...should have insisted as it was actually a nice ish stainless cased issued watch. No idea who made it. You dont really think about those things you may want later in life  at the time of their signifigance.

shooter144
Posted September 3, 2011 - 12:20am

A17 photos courtesy Hackset.net not sure if theses were already posted but hey its a NICE watch lol

bourg01
Posted September 3, 2011 - 1:12am

Yep, Pretty sweet deal there.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 3, 2011 - 10:17am

* Bulova 'ORD CORPS' images above courtesy of Jim Strickland of Strickland Vintage Watches.

 

shooter144
Posted September 3, 2011 - 4:17pm

Now my '43 ORD is a base metal plated case with stainless back. So when did the case become solid stainless, '44-'45?

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 3, 2011 - 4:35pm

Military Historians say after WWII, around 1946 Shooter.

shooter144
Posted September 3, 2011 - 4:54pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

ok Thanx Fifth ! Oh also found an ORD back to go with mine, so now I have both marked and unmarked.

Wayne Hanley
Posted September 3, 2011 - 6:14pm

I have total respect for anyone who was issued, given or collects these Historical gems. However, as Boug01 pointed out, they are still parts to be had and some folks that profit by piecing these things toghether. My initial comment was and still is an attempt to point out the interchangeability in standardized military issue parts. I see that we don't have a TM 9-1575 Ordinance manual in our library. It is an easy download http://ialreadyhaveawatch.com/articles/military/documents/TM%209-1575%20%28%20Ordnance%20Maintenance%20Wrist%20Watches,%20Pocket%20Watc.pdf and will put us all on the same page. It is dated 6 April 1945 & puts us right in the ballpark for immediate post war watches. See page 169 for the Bulova Identification paragraph. For illustrations of the watch see Figures 165 & 166 Bulova case. Judge for yourself.