Bulova 1938 Lady Bulova

Submitted by rkastens on
D
Manufacture Year
1938
Case Serial No.
8009326
Case shape
Square
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

American Girl Bulova watch in original green display box estimated to be manufactured in 1928 or 1938 based on case serial number 8009326.  Gold 10k filled case with owner's initials "EK"? engraved on back of case. Also stamped Bulova with possible shield or triangle mark on back of case.   One small diamond at top and another at bottom of front of watch in silver mounting.   Extra links for Ensign 1/20 12 KT gold filled watch band.   Believed to have belonged to paternal grandmother. 

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rkastens
Posted January 2, 2026 - 1:56pm

Can anyone confirm the initials engraved on the back?

I am thinking EH or EK.. does that fancy font give a clue as to age of watch?

rkastens
Posted January 2, 2026 - 5:15pm

In reply to by rkastens

So is there any chance this was a 1938 American Girl (since it was in a green American Girl box) and, from what I read here, apparently came in different models?

Kathy L.
Posted January 2, 2026 - 7:42pm

In reply to by rkastens

Personally I do not think so.  It matches the Dolly Madison and Lady Bulova respective of jewel count.  The American Girl models were well advertised and are different watches.  And a customer back in the day would have had to rely on the jeweler to tell them the difference as they looked the same otherwise.

mybulova_admin
Posted January 4, 2026 - 2:26am

In reply to by rkastens

As this watch belonged to your grandmother, would her initials give a better understanding of the engraving on the back?

rkastens
Posted January 2, 2026 - 5:33pm

That's a crazy way for a customer back in the day to differentiate between models if the only difference is the number of (hidden) jewels. 

Geoff Baker
Posted January 2, 2026 - 10:02pm

I suggest taking the watch to a jeweler and having them open it to confirm the jewel count. Without accurate information We should ID it as the lower count Lady Bulova. 

There was nothing crazy about Bulova marketing based on jewel count. 21 j watches cost almost 20% more than 17j watches. They knew exactly what they were doing, and did it exceptionally well.