Bulova 1950 Watertite

Submitted by What Does Your… on January 12, 2022 - 4:29pm
Manufacture Year
1950
Movement Model
10BCC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
41131
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I picked up this, what I believe, is a Watertite.  It has the case characteristics of previous Watertites I've owned, but had a gold bezel and crown.  The bezel is possibly gold plated, maybe gold filled and the crown is marked Bulova. The case is a full steel Swiss made Watertite case and dated 1949. The movement is an adjusted 17 jewel 10BCC and a LO date code for 1950. Watchphilia has noted a Watertite with a gold bezel but it had a sub second movement with gold hour markers and hands. The bezel and crown have wear similar with the age of the watch and the movement and case dates are close enough that I wonder if this watch is a model we haven't seen as opposed to the Frankenwatch I originally thought it may be. Hopefully the panel can figure this one out.

Dial showing the gold bezel and crown
Case back showing the monocoque Swiss case
Inside case engravings also showing the name J. Madison
Dial
Movement
Wateritie 1949 advertt from Watchphilia
mybulova_admin
Posted January 12, 2022 - 5:41pm

I'd say your watch is a good match for the Bulova Watertite. The only comment I might make is that the minute hand 'might' not be original due to its length. We do have another example in the database showing a hand of similar length, which is why I say might.

All in all though a 1949 Bulova Watertite looks correct.

What Does Your…
Posted January 12, 2022 - 7:35pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thanks mybulova_admin. 

I honesty didn't even look at the minute hand.  I was so focused on this having a gold bezel and crown the hands went completely unnoticed.  Good eye.  Any chance of a link to the other Watertite with similar minute hand?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted January 12, 2022 - 6:02pm

1949 Bulova Watertite looks to be a match.

Geoff Baker
Posted January 12, 2022 - 9:27pm

Yes - 1949 Bulova Watertite is good for an ID. Also agree, the minute hand doesn't seem to match