Bulova 1950 Berkshire

Submitted by FifthAvenueRes… on April 14, 2011 - 10:08pm
Manufacture Year
1950
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
Unknown
Case shape
Round
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Lady Berkshire also shown.

Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Jim Townsend
Posted May 5, 2012 - 6:36am

I have this set also bobbee i was told the the the markers were sterling and they sure look like it to me as they do tarnish if left for awhile.

bobbee
Posted May 5, 2012 - 7:47am

I meant the base metal for the case, Jim. I was once told that Bulova often used silver for the gilt (gold plated) cases, as can be seen on casebacks marked inside "sterling".

Daca102090
Posted May 5, 2012 - 8:24pm

In reply to by bobbee

During WW2 Bulova did use Sterling instead of brass for watch cases and the case back is usually marked 10RGP over Sterling.

Brass was on the Strategic Metals list and pretty much all of it was diverted to the war effort along with massive amounts gathered through recycling efforts.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 5, 2012 - 8:02pm

bobbee,

The raised ring on the Bezel encompassing the Numerals and Hour markers is believed to be Silver - hence the heavy tarnish found on some.

never had one tested

Jim Townsend
Posted May 5, 2012 - 10:44pm

I did they are silver bobbee on the Berkshire Lady Berkshire, As well as the Air King and Air Queen.

bobbee
Posted May 6, 2012 - 4:44am

Well Fifth, could that account for the dark appearence of the bezel of the black & white pics, and not enamelling? I've done enamelling in my dark past, and as I recall you need something to retain the enamel flow in the kiln, as the powder melts. Enamel powder is usually coloured glass, finely ground. I've looked at the photo in question closely, and can't see any retaining ring for the enamel flow on the watch. I would say tarnish, or maybe light conditions as mentioned earlier, but not enamelling.

bobbee
Posted May 6, 2012 - 5:29am

Here are some photoshopped pics of Mr. Bruno and plainsmen's BerkshiresBob Bruno's photo is in low light,plainsmens' lady berkshire is tarnished.

      IMO

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 6, 2012 - 7:50am

Yep, I'd agree the discrepency is a result of low light in the Bulova provided image.

William Smith
Posted June 9, 2012 - 1:46am

In anyone's database, do we see a Berkshire, Lady B or anything that could possibly be an Air King (or Queen) after 1953? 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted June 9, 2012 - 6:57am

Will,

I don't recall ever seeing this bezel dated post 1953, although just because it has not been seen does not mean it does not exist.