Fancy Cased Automatic measures 40mm lug to lug x 33mm non inclusive of the Crown using Calipers. Original Butler finish Dial shows a combination of applied Gilt hashmarks and Arabic numerals. Hour and Minute hands are Gilt Alpha style, Sweep center seconds hand is Gilt Modern style. Bulova logo is applied Gilt, Duo Wind insignia is printed Black, Black printed track is numerically calibrated at 5 Second intervals. Crown is original. Snap fit Caseback is Stainless Steel and stamped as shown. 1950 was the first Year an Automatic movement in a Bulova.
I am perfectly aware that your watch was manufactured in 1950. So what? The date of the ad is of minor importance to the discussion. What matters is what the ad shows and describes.
Two 1950 ads do not match your watch. Four 1952 illustrations do match your watch.
The idea that we shouldn't rely on an ad dated two years after the subject watch is silly and wholly inconsistent with practice on this site.
6/14/2012
* note: The reference to Dr Ranftts site provided previously by Members participating in this discussion indicating an initial production Date of 1955 for the Movement showing is erronious, the link provided references the Bulova 11AC, 11ACA and the 11ACC.
The Movement found in the subject Watch is in fact an 11 AAC.
In reply to 6/14/2012 * note: The by FifthAvenueRes…
a 1951 database ad shows a 'DUO-WIND' with DUO WIND on the Dial.
Although designated as the 'DUO WIND' "G" IMO the subject is not the "G" variant as the Dial and Hands differ.
From this information I will conclude that in 1950 and in 1951 this design was named the 'DUO WIND' as its bi-directional Movement suggests and in 1952 then becomes the 'THAYER' equipped with an omni directional winding automatic Movement as in the current database examples and ads Dated 1952 and beyond.
That more than works for me.
1950-51 = Duo-Wind
1952+ = Thayer
Bulova may have thought that putting this cool new function (I know it technically wasn't a new function, but for Bulova it was) name on the dial was a good marketing ploy in 1950, but then as more selfwinding/auto models started to be manufactured they then decided to give it an actual name like the Thayer (anyone know where the name may have come from).
Duo-Wind >> Selfwinding >> Automatic
