Bulova 1924 -Unknown

Submitted by Gerard on
Manufacture Year
1924
Movement Model
AA1
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
1029116
Case shape
Octagonal
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Can't see much here.
Nice case
I'm lost on this movement.
Alex
Posted November 11, 2024 - 12:24am

Dear Gerard, a very special watch you have there. It probably is from around 1920-1921 and the special thing about it is that it is 18K solid yellow (or green) gold. First time I see this.  Unfortunately it is from a time Bulova was not actively advertising their watches so we don’t have a model number or name. Very special watch, but unknown.  

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted November 11, 2024 - 4:48am

ad is dated January 1922

a 'LADY MAXIM' would be My assumption. 

JimDon5822
Posted November 11, 2024 - 10:33pm

Agree on the unknown ID.  Great watch but unable to find an ad match.

Kathy L.
Posted November 11, 2024 - 11:40pm

Wonderful early example.

Unknown

mybulova_admin
Posted November 13, 2024 - 7:04pm

I'm certainly leaning towards a 1920/21/22 Bulova Lady Maxim. Model wise as this is the right time period and there really is only one model line during this time.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted November 14, 2024 - 2:31am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I agree. 

The Watch is certainly not 1924 as entered.   Following Your logic on the case datecoding - 1920 

1955mercury
Posted November 17, 2024 - 9:34am

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

According to the history of Bulova on the site, the name Bulova Watch Co. wasn't adopted until 1923 Fifth. Before then it was the J. Bulova Co. And American Standard made cases for several watch companies. I don't think there is anyway to prove this movement and case left the factory assembled together. American Standard was still making cases for several watch companies during this time period. I read somewhere, I think it was in the book "Practical Watch Repairing" by Donald de Carle that it was common practice during this time period that a customer would go to a watch shop and pick out a movement and then pick out a case for it and the watch maker would assemble them. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted November 18, 2024 - 7:43am

In reply to by 1955mercury

I agree Merc. 

At that time (1924) We begin to see movements hallmarked Bulova Watch Co. and include a datecode. 

These movements hallmarked Bulova W. Co and absent of datecodes are earlier.  

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted November 18, 2024 - 7:59am

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

 Some of the earliest ads on site (1922 - 23)  mention Watches having 'Bulova movements'.  I think this is what We are seeing. 

1955mercury
Posted November 18, 2024 - 8:06am

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

I think that also. I know Waltham also used American Standard watch cases during this time period.