Bulova 1948 Broker

Submitted by RobHas on July 20, 2011 - 10:33am
Manufacture Year
1948
Movement Model
8AH
Movement Date Code
47
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
8138337
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Crystal details
3/4" W x 7/8" L
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I'm trying to find out some information about it's value. This watch has been passed down through geneartions and I was informed that it is a nice watch by a local jeweler.  It is all original and in working condition.  It is rose colored gold filled.  The chrystal is a little scrathed up and case needs a little bit of shining, but other than that and a new strap, it's very nice. The movement is dated 1947 so it is assumed it has been replaced.

41 Director-07202011
Bulova watch
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 20, 2011 - 12:17pm

In the early 1940's this Watch is named 'DIRECTOR'

ad below Dated 1941

I would recommend double checking the datecode of the movement, if 1947 is correct assume the movement has been replaced.

Wayne Hanley
Posted July 20, 2011 - 7:56pm

The lugs look more like a late 40s Commodore than a Director.  I own a 1948 Commodore same case, same dial. When I find it I will check the movement.

simpletreasures
Posted July 20, 2011 - 8:22pm

I think I'm going to have to agree with Wayne on this one. I have a NOS exactly the same with a 8AD/ 48 movement 17 jewel, 14 KRGP Rose Gold in the orig. box.

mybulova_admin
Posted July 20, 2011 - 10:26pm

Ads or photos of the 48 Commodore would be helpful.

The Direct ad above lists this watch as red gold where-as the watch in question looks to be yellow gold.

The lugs are very close but a 48 Commodore or other may still be valid.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 21, 2011 - 10:29am

Owner states the Case is Rose Gold filled.

(I have an identical dated early '40's not currently in the database which is the 'DIRECTOR' as shown in the ad)

It would be interesting to find / see an ad naming this design 'COMMODORE' in the late 1940's as the 'DIRECTOR' had changed by that time and it was not uncommon for Bulova to change the names of Watches across the model Years.

Good catch Wayne and simpletreasures, now let's prove it.

Wayne Hanley
Posted July 21, 2011 - 12:03pm

There is no ad for the 1948 Commodore. Simpletreasures is there any Bulova data with your NOS that states the name Commodore?

We may not be able to prove the name of the watch as Commodore, but it's definetly not a Director. I we have to eventually call it an unknown we should change the date to 1947 vs 1941.

simpletreasures
Posted July 21, 2011 - 1:04pm

Wayne, the only paperwork that came with my watch was the Bulova warranty and little red pamphlet that Bulova included with the purchase. At this particular time period they were only putting the names inside the case on certain models, My interchange book is only referencing what movement numbers can be "interchanged" with each other. So until a actual ad shows up, the mystery remains. I'm curious as to how we have a Commodore listed in the database with no corresponding ad????? Here's another thought, is it possible that Bulova kept cranking these out with "variations" ie: movements, faces etc. because they were reliable sellers and didn't feel the need/or expense to run ads on watches that were basically their "bread and butter"? Considering the fact that this time period was right at the end of the War Years and everyone was trying to re-group from the sacrifices that the entire country suffered through, it wouldn't surprise me that companies like Bulova would do this.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 21, 2011 - 5:02pm

Wayne,

I would respectfully disagree with Your comment on the Case lugs, the Watch in the original post is identcal to the Watch image and description in the 1941 ad, even down to the White sub-seconds Dial detail.

But:

If Simpletreasures has an identical dated 1947 then odds are in favor that We have a carry-on design renamed to something other than 'DIRECTOR', possibly the 'COMMODORE'

Wayne Hanley
Posted July 22, 2011 - 2:15am

No odds, no name changes, they are two distinctly different cases. Put them side by side & compare. Similar but different.

WatchCrystals.net
Posted July 26, 2011 - 2:30pm

Broker , Commodore   MX2037 178 MC204/2 179  

Director  CMX2160 or 65 x 176, 75 HMC216/4 or /13

The Broker and Commodore take a 1mm shorter and slightly wider crystal... 

:-)  Scott