Bulova 1949 Minute Man

Submitted by catangen on May 23, 2020 - 11:49pm
B
Manufacture Year
1949
Movement Model
10BM
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
2140669
Case shape
Square
Case color
Rose
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Domed, very clean.
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This is one beautiful watch. It does have me a little perplexed. One of those 'I need this watch to talk' so I can be sure of what really happened here. The case is date coded A9(1949) and I do believe its a '49 Minute Man 'B' in rose gold. Inside case back is marked 14k Rolled Gold Plate. I believe that of the dial as well. The movement however is date coded L3 (1953) and is 21 jewel. I am not certain of this but I believe the minute man of those years was available only in 17j. So I'm not sure what is going on here. I don't know if Bulova in 1953 had some old cases to use up, or if somewhere along the line the movement was switched out. Maybe this one was made special for Frank Sinatra and was a special gift to Marilyn Monroe. Who knows. I do know it's a great looking watch and by today's standards is almost exclusively a woman's watch. I have a hard time wearing this one. The 14mm lug width makes it just to narrow on my 8-3/8" wrist. I have had a hard time finding a 14mm strap or bracelet that comes Xtra Long. With a standard woman's bracelet I think it would be a welcome addition to any ladies jewelry box.

Fresh from service
Fresh from service
Case back marked A9
Movement marked L3
in sunlight
catangen
Posted May 23, 2020 - 11:55pm

Would love to hear others opinions on this one. I know there is some His Excellency models out there that look very similar to this, like the XX but I also remember those dials being marked as such. I am holding fast in my thoughts that at least the case and dial are 1949 Minute Man B. 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted May 24, 2020 - 8:37am

 1949 Minute Man "B" that has had a later date 21J movement swap, just like mine referenced by Jabs. The hands on yours are yellow gold and are a different style than shown in ads; rose gold Bulova watches including the Minute Man had black hands paired with the rose face. I would surmise the hands are original to the movement and face is original to the case.

I have a personal weakness for 40's rose gold men's watches, your watch is a beauty

1949 Minute Man "B"  noting movement replacement

catangen
Posted May 24, 2020 - 3:50pm

Thanks for the comment. I did notice that entry in the database but had not looked closely enough to notice that it too had a later 21j movement. This seems to be a thing with this model. I also was not aware that all the rose gold cased had black hands. I did ponder once why the rose gold case had yellow gold hands, It didn't seem right at the time and I guess it wasn't right. In any event, it is a beautiful watch and wish I could wear it. The narrow 14mm straps just do not appeal to me. Unfortunatly this is one that will be sold or given away as a gift.

 

JimDon5822
Posted May 24, 2020 - 10:46pm

Very good looking watch.  It looks like a movement swap on a minute man.  1949  Minute Man with swapped movement.  .  

plainsmen
Posted May 24, 2020 - 10:58pm

Yeah... Minute Man with a new engine.

Kathy L.
Posted May 25, 2020 - 11:31am

It is a great looking watch, just love the rose gold.

1949 Bulova Minute Man "B" (with movement replacement)

Geoff Baker
Posted May 25, 2020 - 9:44pm

1949 Bulova Minute Man B noting replacement movement