Circular case measures 38.5mm lug to lug and 33.5mm around non-inclusive of the crown using calipers.
White porcelein dial shows radium Arabic numerals and radium (Cathedral style?) hands and is unbranded, a sub-seconds dial completely obscures the 6.
Crown appears to be the original.
Movement is stamped Rubaiyat W. Co. Swiss
There are no identifiable datecodes.
WW1 Kitchener strap is a reproduction.
In reply to I will defer this to the… by JimDon5822
There are no experts.
Thanks to Stephen and many members of this site the beginnings of Bulova Watch Co has been pieced together by bits of information attained here and there, but it's still Our interpretation of that information and things can and do change as new knowledge arises.
We are all still learning.
The subject watch is the original piece from the link given in My initial comment in this thread Posted May 7, 2024.
The linked thread dated September 12, 2012 l which lead to a lot of discussion, fact findings and knowledge relating to early Bulova wristwatches, (and still does today) had somehow lost the images of the watch from the original post so I have submitted the watch for the site database, it remains untouched as I found it 12 yrs ago, cracked glass and all. The theorys, findings and resulting knowledge is all there, time stamped and dated for all to see.
Am I an expert? Hell no.
I am a Bulova watch enthusiast.
Bulova history tells us:
"In 1919, they released a line of men's jeweled wristwatches, creating the fashion that would replace the pocket watch as a staple."
and
"1919: During World War I, the convenience of wristwatches (as opposed to pocket watches) is discovered. Bulova sells some of the first mens 'wristwatches' in America, featuring high grade Swiss movements."
If these statements hold true then these early mens wristwatch must date to 1919.
In reply to Bulova history tells us: "In… by mybulova_admin
Not sure Stephen.
'Bulova sells some of the first mens 'wristwatches' in America',
I'm perfectly fine with 1919 for the sake of the database but there is more to the World besides America.
One of the first 'wristlet' designs was patented in 1893 by the Garstin Company of London (wiki) and the design of the subject is seen 1915'ish and perhaps prior https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_watches
There is this discussion dated 2015 https://mybulova.com/forums/bulova-1919-complete-line-mens-wristwatches
The discussion was sparked by a 1918 Los Angeles Times ad showing an almost identical watch as the subject being available to buyers in the U.S. in 1918.
One can assume from the wording in the 1918 ad that the watches had been in production prior to.
The patent was granted for the hallmark of the Rubaiyat in 1917 with an 'in use since' date of Nov. 1916.
There is no history currently as to what was available in Europe and the rest of the World in regards to J. Bulova Co. wristwatches.
1919 is fine but seemingly strong evidence suggests prior.
In reply to The patent was granted for… by FifthAvenueRes…
In reply to and, while I'm thinking… by FifthAvenueRes…
