Bulova 1946 Navigator

Submitted by Stinky_Sullivan on October 17, 2023 - 10:31pm
Manufacture Year
1946
Movement Model
8AH
Movement Date Code
46
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
6215833
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This is another model I’m not sure of the ID. It’s either the Navigator or Broker. We only have a 1943 Navigator ad but there are other ads in the discussions of the other Navigators. Member watches range from 1943-48. We have no ads for the Broker of this era. Member watches range from 1945-48. This is another case where the parameters and specifications for each model needs to be identified and some of the current ID’s need to be reevaluated. The 1941-43 Director is the same form factor but without engraving on the bezel.

Stainless steel case back
SN 6215833

17j 8AH movement
The 46 date code is difficult to see but it’s by the balance wheel

Silvered dial with raised gilt numbers and hands.
Dial is fully numbered except the 6 is displaced by the sub dial.

The bracelet matches all the ads for the Navigator and 

1946 Bulova Navigator or Broker dial
1946 Bulova Navigator or Broker dial 2
1946 Bulova Navigator or Broker dial 3
1946 Bulova Navigator or Broker profile
1946 Bulova Navigator or Broker case back
1946 Bulova Navigator or Broker 8AH movement
mybulova_admin
Posted October 18, 2023 - 7:25am

That is one clean dial.

I like the Navigator ID. Seems a near perfect match for th advert, including the band as you say.

1946 Bulova Navigator

Kathy L.
Posted October 18, 2023 - 10:03am

Navigator seem like the best match down to the band, nice watch.

1946 Bulova Navigator

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 18, 2023 - 10:17am

Why is the Broker not a match? My watch matches the other watches ID’d as the Broker as far as I can tell. Here’s a ‘45 and a ‘48 Broker that belong to FifthAvenueRestorations that look to be an exact match to my watch.

https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1945-broker-1421

https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1948-broker-3829

I have no interest in convincing you it’s one or the other. I just want to know how to distinguish the Navigator from the Broker.

 

Kathy L.
Posted October 18, 2023 - 5:31pm

Those early entries sometimes didn't have ads and went by crystal specs.  After an ad has been found that is a match that is what we go by if there is no ad to confirm the model name with the crystal specs.  Hope that makes sense.  

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 18, 2023 - 10:28am

I would like to correct an error in my original description. I said the ‘41-‘43 Director was the same but with engraving on the bezel and that should have said “without engraving on the bezel.”

JimDon5822
Posted October 18, 2023 - 12:36pm

I believe this ad along with this 1943 ad clearly match this as a Navigator.   The Broker watches were ID from crystal size so I would think that is suspect and should be revisited.     

1946 Bulova Navigator.

 

Navigator

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 18, 2023 - 1:58pm

I agree it’s a match to the Navigator. I just want to be sure we don’t have a situation similar to the Douglas and Brigadier where Bulova just changed the name. If that’s the case here, what’s the dividing line?

Kathy L.
Posted October 18, 2023 - 5:48pm

Well it would appear that the Broker is indeed like the Navigator so it very well may be a year name change.  This ad is not very clear but looks like a match, 19 May 1948 Tucson Daily Citizen page 5.  I think in the past we have found the fall/winter of 1947 to be a name changeover year.

1948 ad

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 18, 2023 - 6:15pm

That’s fantastic. Where did you find that? Is it on myBulova somewhere?