Original no work done by me personally or contracted. It was a gift from a friend 3 days ago. I am just learning about Vintage Bulova watches. It looks like it could be a Bruce model.I know the year us 1949. It has a few scratches on the crystal. I have not opened the watch myself. The glass has a blue tint to it. Im not sure why. It could be a replacement glass or that is the original color. The band is from Switzerland, I dont think its Original. It says Hirsch Reptile with the Swiss Cross. I would appriciate any info on my watch abyone has to offer.I am considering ordering diamind paste to remove the scratches. Here in Germany I havent found anyone I trust to work on it. They all want me to send it by mail to them.
Hi Tkkelly and welcome to mybulova. I agree, your watch is a 1949 Bruce as shown in this ad from 1950. Strap is not a match to the ad, so is a replacement, as the ad calls out band description as "stitched". I like it though, it looks good on the watch and is a high quality band. We see very few additions to the site from this time period on original leather, as it wore out.
1949 Bulova Bruce - based on the assumption the movement is a 15J as stated in advert.
If the crystal is mineral glass, polishing it is problematic. There are kits you can buy with diamond paste, I've tried them, and it requires a lot of work. If the crystal is Acrylic, it can be polished easily, but in either case, you can probably find the correct new crystal.
1949 Bruce works for me.
Thank you very much for Authentication.I of course was just guessing after looking through this site. What is your thought on the glass having a blue tint? How can I determin what material my crystal is made of? I am a beginner with anytjing to do with polishes watch crystal. I just dont want to send it out to anyone here. I am very proud of my American made watch and having received it in Germany. I will be visiting home next year. I will take it someone there that is proficiant
Look at the crystal under magnification. If the scratches present have smooth looking edges, it is likely plastic. Glass crystals will generally has a slightly ragged edge to the scratches.
My "on the fly" test,which is pretty much always accurate, but sounds odd is I rub the crystal against the edge of my front teeth like the "genuine or fake pearl test". Glass feels different than plastic. Glass feels perfectly smooth and plastic/acrylic doesn't.