Bulova 1949 Brigadier

Submitted by donegd on November 20, 2014 - 6:50am
Manufacture Year
1949
Movement Model
8AE
Movement Date Code
48 (A8)
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
9668751
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hi all  another little gem that I would like the panels opinion on please. I believe it is a "Douglas". The movement is marked 48 but the serial number starts with a 9 so I think it would be classed as a 1949 model. The case has no ware through or scratches on it and the crystal looks new. The band is definatly a replacement as it is marked Hong Gong

donegd 1949 Bulova watch 11 22 2014
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
jabs
Posted November 20, 2014 - 7:21am

Yes it will be 1949 Douglas

Andersok
Posted November 20, 2014 - 12:41pm

It appears the case is yellow gold, and the dial is in the charcoal color with silver markers and the incorrect gold hands (looks like Fils or Index type according to the 1949 ad; though earlier Douglas ads show the Alpha type). A Charcoal dial would likely be with the white gold case and have the matching silver/white hands. Also, the ad shows a rectangular double track around the second hand.

JP
Posted November 20, 2014 - 5:52pm

All very good catches. Unknown at this time from me.

donegd
Posted November 21, 2014 - 11:03am

 I agree partly with your assumptions Andesok. But all the Douglas models on this site only have single track around the second hand , as picture in the picture in the advert is an artists impression it could be a bit of artistic license rather than factual. also there is one photo on the site which looks very similar to my watch it is under a 1947 Douglas heading. 

Geoff Baker
Posted November 22, 2014 - 5:59am

So, I think the case is '49 Douglas, doubt there's much dispute to that. The yellow Douglas was never advertised ( at least that I found) with a charcoal dial. To Ken's observation the white dial Douglas ad has a double track around the sub seconds, it would surprise me if an artists rendition had it but the actual watch did not. IF an artist changed something it's unusual it would have been additional detail.  On the other hand George correctly points out that all of the Douglases in the dB show a single track. I can't explain it, doubt we'll ever know for sure.

I do think we should tag this watch a Douglas.

William Smith
Posted November 22, 2014 - 11:05pm

Yea I'm good with Douglas, but do recognize the charcoal dial dilemma.  

bobbee
Posted November 29, 2014 - 1:22am

In 1949 these were called the Brigadier or the Ambassador, depending on the mount. Expanding or link bracelet.

bobbee
Posted November 29, 2014 - 8:08am

Here you go, November 1949. See the slight differences, hands and bracelet.

 

May 1949.

 

donegd
Posted November 29, 2014 - 8:18am

Bobbee

I have just bought a 1949 brigadier, once l recieve it l will compare it with this watch and the advert pics you have just uploaded. Bulova certainly liked to mix the names somewhat :)

bobbee
Posted November 29, 2014 - 8:33am

Going by the hands and seconds track, I would have to say Brigadier. Index hands on the Ambassador, moderns on the Argonaut, Alphas on the Brigadier. The Ambassador has the double seconds track, the Brigadier the single.

The 1949 ad for the Douglas in the full ads db is an exact copy of an earlier 1948 one, but has a "Barnum & Bailey" banner added to it. Probably just a copy that has not had the new name update.