Bulova 1935 Champ

Submitted by Merlynda on
Manufacture Year
1935
Movement Model
13AP
Movement Date Code
Square
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
28-20 ?
Case Serial No.
5258837
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description
Very strange watch. Like it was made upside down. 
 
Raised Gilt Arabic numerals and Bulova logo above the 6 on White dial with Black printed tracks. Sub second hand below the 12. Curved sides (tonneau shaped) 10K gold filled case and back measuring approximately 38mm lug to lug x 27mm wide excluding the unsigned crown. There is a 17Jewel unadjusted 13AP movement with a square marking strike and the numbers 28-20. Also on the movement is patent 166843. There is a 7 digit serial number on the outside of the case: 5258837. Cannot find a reference ad.  
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JimDon5822
Posted July 24, 2026 - 8:53pm

Wow you have one of the rarest Bulova watches.   The one is called the Champ .   Like this one. It appears the seconds register is missing.  It looks like this was wiped off during dial cleaning.  https://mybulova.com/watches/1935-champ-9655

1935 Bulova Champ

mart1n888
Posted July 25, 2026 - 11:45am

the second track is there, its simply different....

Geoff Baker
Posted July 24, 2026 - 10:23pm

Oh Ms. Lynda - I don't know where on earth you got this watch but it is a keeper. Jim is spot on, it's a 1935 Bulova Champ. We have two in the dB now, this makes three so, yes a bit on the rare side. Kinetic winding in 1935 -imagine THAT! Well bought - look forward to seeing it on YOUR wrist next Wednesday?

Merlynda
Posted July 25, 2026 - 2:34pm

I made a listing mistake. The movement is marked with a square. So, is this a 1936 “Champ”?  

Merlynda
Posted July 25, 2026 - 2:45pm

Or does the case serial number starting with a 5 make it a 1935?

Kathy L.
Posted July 25, 2026 - 7:41pm

Merlynda, we date by the case so yes 1935 is correct per the beginning 5.  Great watch!

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted July 26, 2026 - 3:44am

Yes, it's 1936.

The site wants to date a watch by the case serial number only but it would be a challenge to assemble a watch in 1935 with a movement dated 1936..... 

2c 

Kathy L.
Posted July 25, 2026 - 7:42pm

Amazing watch, always cool to find a rare bird.

1935 Bulova Champ

mybulova_admin
Posted July 26, 2026 - 2:23am

Dare I say one of Bulova's first self-winding watches.

Like the early 1931 calendar watches I suspect Bulova was also playing with the self-winding function by using different sub-dials

Bulova ChampBulova Champ

 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 26, 2026 - 6:44am

VERY cool! I'm jealous! That is indeed a scarce keeper

1935 Champ