Bulova 1948 Marquise

Submitted by lampehan on
M
Manufacture Year
1948
Case Serial No.
718488
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
~ 9mm W x 10 mm L x 2mm H
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

14K white gold with 20 round single cut diamond (total weight 0.10 ct.).  Watch band is solid white gold with an art deco design.  Based on current research, watch box is turquoise velvet Bulova Empress Fifth Avenue with coronet logo on left side.



Purchased 1960, and was likely a resale from an estate, so could be much earlier.  A Bulova jeweler said likely prior to 1948.  With case labeled Fifth avenue, manufacture year is likely between 1927 and 1960 when it was purchased.

Bulova Empress Watch Face
Bulova Empress Watch Back
Watch case and two links each side to show art deco design
Watch case with lugs, band obscures lugs and attachment
Geoff Baker
Posted August 6, 2023 - 9:29pm

Could you please load a photo of the movement and the inside of the case back? It it difficult to match to a catalog or and avert with a little more information. Thank you.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 7, 2023 - 4:55am

It's often tricky to date a solid gold watch due to the lack of a date code stamp. Having a photo of the movement will hopefully show a date code, which can then put us in the ballpark of a year.

Kathy L.
Posted August 7, 2023 - 11:14am

Can you post a pic of the back with the lugs please.  I don't think this is a match because of the lugs and band but it is the closest I could find.  From the 1957 linebook and didn't find anything else like it up to 1960.

linebook

mybulova_admin
Posted August 7, 2023 - 6:12pm

NIce lonebook fins Kathy, Whilst niot the same watch I think it's fair to say that the subject watch is going to be part of the Marquise range. 

Here ius a close up of the above watch case. Both the "M" and subject watch have the matching 20 diamonds.

1957 Bulova Marquise "M"

lampehan
Posted August 7, 2023 - 8:03pm

I believe that you are correct in the watch case and face matching the Marquise "M".  Because of the design of the band, the lugs are completely covered.  I am wondering if someone had custom work to add the solid gold band. 

JimDon5822
Posted August 7, 2023 - 11:13pm

I have to agree it looks to me like a modified Marquise M.   You can clearly see the lug welds are irregular.  

neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 8, 2023 - 10:56pm

Agree. Watch appears to be a  jeweler modified Marquise M, date to be determined by movement date code.