I cannot find a date code. The closest thing to a date code I can find is like a capitol D lying on it's back, so it looks like a mound. I cannot find that symbol listed as a date code. I chose 1924 for the manufacture year on this form because an entry is required and that is the patent date but I do not know the actual year of manufacture. On the outer edge of the movement above the largest gear are the words "FIFTEEN JEWELS". There appears to be something written to the left of that but I cannot make it out. On the inside of the case, above what I believe to be the case serial number (8142315) there is another number etched in the metal. It appears that someone scratched it in by hand. I think it is "C6734G" but I may have one or both of the letters at the beginning and end wrong. a line extends from the last letter and loops back to underline the number then curves down, finishing like a J turned backwards and tilted to the right. It kind of resembles the Barbara, but the design on the case is not right. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide with identifying this watch.
The Bulova Juno sure looks close although the 12 and 6 center triple box engravings are hard to tell but doesn't appear to match.
The Juno and the subject watch are two different models. Same rectangular shape, but different engraving.
Beautiful watch. I agree with Alex that is it very similar to Juno but has a different engraving pattern.
1928 Bulova Unknown
General consensus?
1928 Bulova Unknown?
Thank you everyone for your input and opinions. It does appear that the engraving is slightly different between the two watches. Why would Bulova make two model watches with such a slight difference? Anyway, I'll keep looking. Does the Bulova company itself assist in the identification of their vintage watches?
In reply to Thank you everyone for your… by mbroberg
Bulova would more than likely direct you to contact us :o)
In reply to Thank you everyone for your… by mbroberg
I often wonder why Bulova made so many models that were so close in design but they did do this. It could also be an artist rendering that isn't accurate. Bulova would most likely direct you to us.
Just an FYI, Watchophilia.com has a picture of a watch they identify as a Juno that has (as far as I can tell) identical engraving to mine. However, it is alongside of what appears to be the same ad on this site that shows slightly different engraving. I realize that the posting may be a mis-identification but I wanted to at least bring it to your attention. Is it possible that the artist rendition of the watch in the ad is lacking detail?
In reply to Just an FYI, Watchophilia… by mbroberg
I forgot to include this link https://www.watchophilia.com/photogallery/bulovas-1920-1929/a1929-juno/#!
I'd not rule out the Juno based the case engraving. We have seen this many times before where adverts show a different engraving pattern than the watch. We see the same with dial patterns. We also see pattern differences between solid gold and gold filled cases of the same model. The Juno was originally available in both when first released in 1927, so it is very possible that the advertised design is the gold version.
Further more, we actually don't have an example in the database to compare it with and the watchophilia example is an exact match to the subject watch.
For me I'd be more than happy to ID as a 1928 Bulova Juno.
Just to note that if we argued that the case engraving had to be an exact match, all the Conqueror(26/27) and Lone Eagle (27/28) examples would be ID'd as unknown.