Bulova 1950 -Non-Conforming

Submitted by Sue Hansen on
Manufacture Year
1950
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Case Serial No.
816628
Case shape
Square
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

I don’t know the date but the field didn’t offer an unknown option. Unable to open case or find a date code on the back. 

Total of 4 (apparently) diamonds and 6 red/pink stones. 

Hansen 11-5-21
Hansen 11-5-21
Hansen 11-5-21
mybulova_admin
Posted November 6, 2021 - 12:39am

I believe that your watch is probably part of the Bulova Empress group or watches.

Below is an all diamond version of the your watch. Identical case, dial, hands and movement. Only difference I can see is the exchange of the outer diamonds for rubies.

With this in mind, I would ID your watch as a 1958 Bulova Empress (unknown variant).

1958 Bulova Empress "S"

Kathy L.
Posted November 6, 2021 - 10:46am

Nice line book find!  I was searching the 60s and 70s with no luck.  Beautiful watch Sue.

1958 Bulova Empress

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 6, 2021 - 6:57pm

Very nice, thanks for sharing! I will agree it's likely a member of the Empress family. Nice work, Stephen.

Geoff Baker
Posted November 6, 2021 - 9:32pm

Hang on Panel Members, this dial is marked QUARTZ. While I agree that the case is a close match to the Empress, full quartz watches are of the late 1970's era. Is it possible this watch has a new movement AND dial?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 7, 2021 - 6:50am

Good catch, Geoff. The dial text got past me, as watch case size doesn't seem compatible with housing a battery.

I am changing my vote to UNKNOWN.

It will be hard to ID or even date without seeing the inside of the case back as well as movement to see if we are looking at a 50's or 60's watch with a new motor or a mid/late 70's model.

Crown doesn't appear to match case in color or style, which may or may not indicate a swapped movement. Sue, is this a battery powered or wind up?

Sue Hansen
Posted November 7, 2021 - 2:37pm

I don’t know. I found it in my mother’s things after she died. I had never seen it before and don’t know anything about it. 

Is there a way for me to safely remove the back or should I take it to a jeweler?

 Thanks for all your help!

Sue Hansen
Posted November 7, 2021 - 2:32pm

Thank you. 

JimDon5822
Posted November 7, 2021 - 7:14pm

I would have to go with unknown.  It certainly looks to me like a 1950's case married to a 1970s movement.