I picked this up in a lot 3 watches not realizing they were Lisa's watches. I can see why they may have not gone to auction because they are not pristine but I don't mind that, all the movements seem to be working which is nice.
This one has a damaged dial and is missing a minute hand. It has a 10AI 15 jewel movement. Is 18K gold filled with the GF stamped on the end of the case. I really love the engraving on this one. I look forward to hearing what you think it might be.
Lisa ID'ed this very watch as a "156", but It doesn't match the ads . Very cool, I don't recognize the engraving pattern.
Still looking......
Hi Kathy, the watch is a 155/156 from very early 1923. It has engraving style number 6 of the total 8 engraving styles this model had. Only 2 are recorded so far making it the rarest engraving of the 8.
In reply to Hi Kathy, the watch is a 155… by Alex
Hi Alex, Do you know if this model might have also come with the dial from the other 155? I was thinking about replacing the dial with a better one. Very nice surprise to have gotten a rare one.
The second one has a flower dial, straight number and outer minute marker. Yours has the plain dial, curly numbers, outer minute marker. Give it is so rare I would keep the picture on this website "as is" to record it in original state. If you still want to change the dial is up to you, as long as you keep this picture on this website.
In reply to The second one has a flower… by Alex
In that case I will keep the dial and just get it serviced and find a new minute hand, thanks. Is it a 155 based on being gold filled?
In reply to In that case I will keep the… by Kathy L.
The dial will clean up nicely just with a cotton tip and toothpaste. The numbers are hard baked enamel by the looks of it. If they are paint, the coton tip and toothpaste will rub them off, but hard baked enamel numbers will stay. It will make the dial like new again since it is silver.
Alex, is the differentiation between 155 and 156 solely based on gold content?
In reply to Alex, is the differentiation… by neetstuf-4-u
Yes, from just two examples in the ads of June 1923 and April 1924, a system could be derived that the 1 stands for 10 ligne, the 5 for 15 jewels and the 5/6 for the shape, where the 6 is solid gold version and the 5 is gold-filled version. Bulova didn't continue with this changing to names. Since this watch is from before this June 1923 ad, I tend to go for 156.
I will defer to the most amazing Alex for the ID. Bulova 156.
FLAG !!!
By case s/n this one should be a 1922.