Bulova 1945 Chronograph

Submitted by thewristelier on
Manufacture Year
1945
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
58
Case Serial No.
n/a
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bulova Mono-pusher 'Telemetre' chronograph with a Landeron 11 movement in a tonneau nickel chromed case. It appears to be in totally original condition, near NOS I would say with the exception of some light wear on the case. The movement has been serviced by the previous owner and runs well. The 15 jewel movement is marked with a '58' below the balance wheel.

Front
Back
Side Case (Open)
Movement
Inner Caseback
1955mercury
Posted December 18, 2024 - 9:25am

I don't know if it's a fake or not. I'm not that knowledgeable on chronographs. I was just sharing a video of someone who seems to be an expert on them. 

thewristelier
Posted December 18, 2024 - 8:33am

Hi everyone and thank you all for your input so far! I noticed that one of the links I shared about the movement doesn't seem to work, so here's a link to the image I intended to share (in German) and a translated version (Google translate): https://imgur.com/a/52Aca7s

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted December 18, 2024 - 10:31am

the spelling of 'TELEMETRE' (Telemeter) suggests French or French Canadian origin. 

JimDon5822
Posted December 18, 2024 - 3:18pm

I took the liberty of reaching out to Dr Ranfft on the movement.  The Landeron 11 movements all seem to be round so either this was modified by Bulova or a differently caliber.   Once he replies I will let you know.  

thewristelier
Posted December 18, 2024 - 3:38pm

Thank you but I believe Dr. Ranfft sadly passed away back in March of this year. I would love to be wrong, but I recall this news going around the community over the summer. 

In the previous imgur link/photo I sent, the movement sheet suggests it's a "Hahn / Landeron 12 3/4", Hahn being Charles Hahn Jr. of Charles Hahn & Cie, or Landeron, later becoming Ebauches SA.

"Landeron's column wheel chronograph movements were famous, and the company supplied these movements to many militaries. Examples include Cal. 11 and 13 and the state-of-the-art Cal. 39. Because they held the Breitling patents, Landeron was the exclusive supplier of column wheel chronograph movements until their expiration in the 1930's."

(https://wiki.grail-watch.com/index.php/Charles_Hahn_%26_Cie#FHF_and_Ebauches_SA)

A sub-link on the Landeron 11:

"The Landeron 11 and similar Landeron 13 was a chronograph movement produced in the 1940's by Landeron.

It is a compact 5-pillar column wheel monopusher chronograph movement measuring 13 ligne. Cal. 13 had a stronger mainspring.

Cal. 13 was also sold by Alpina as their Cal. 651 and Cal. 940."

If produced in the 1940's s suggested, this example could well be the same Landeron 11, or rather a derivative tonneau version of it?

JimDon5822
Posted December 19, 2024 - 10:57pm

That is so tragic.  Dr Ranfft was an icon of the industry and his work on movements along with his website was a labor of love.  He will surely be missed.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 19, 2024 - 9:33pm

In terms of identification I suggest "Bulova Chronograph", my only question is year

mybulova_admin
Posted December 20, 2024 - 4:08am

To the panel, should we ID as a generic Bulova Chronograph?

JimDon5822
Posted December 20, 2024 - 8:28pm

I agree Bulova Chronograph, I  just don't know now we can classify this due to the unknown date.