Bulova 1920 Hudson Maxim

Submitted by SemperP on
Manufacture Year
1920
Movement Model
THIN HI
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
2051
Case Serial No.
4757935
Case shape
Other
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Crystal details
Plastic 38.5mm in diameter
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Greetings all.  I have a Bulova pocket watch that some have identified as a 'railroad watch'. The watch is not operational and the hands are rusted.  The micro-adjuster is missing as well.  I have not dissassembled the watch any further than shown in the pictures.

The date seems to be pre-1918 based on the case stamping of "American Standard W. C. CO" and the "Bulova W. CO." on the movement (if I read the dating pages correctly).  The case is octagonal and measures 42.5mm across.

The case back has an inscription of "9-40-w" below the case mark and also an underlined "1191" with a "B" below the line on the left side.

Thank you,

John

Bulova pocket watch
1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
1920 Bulova watch
JP
Posted October 17, 2014 - 10:58pm

Very nice watch and another 17 HI movement. I am at a loss as to the ID.

SemperP
Posted October 17, 2014 - 11:15pm

Thanks JP.  Does the THIN HI mean anything?  I could only find a handful of pictures of THIN H and THIN HI movements while researching the watch.

Reverend Rob
Posted October 18, 2014 - 12:01am

A version of the H, from an ebauche by Bulova. We have discussed this as possibly being an early HM? 

bobbee
Posted October 18, 2014 - 5:49am

Wow, yet another poser!

dial/movement says 1921/22 Hudson Maxim to me, case says pre-1920, as it lacks the globe or shield logos.

Another using up old stock, as we don't see many Rubaiyat p/w's?

I'm going with HM in an older case, but how to date it?

Maybe we ought to have a question mark option in the date section when posting a new watch, which can be changed if and when a definite date can be applied?

 

Edit- I believe the 'Thin Hi' should be a 'H1' or a 'Hl', nothing to do with the word 'high' as such.

We see these with the word 'thin' after the other two letters/number sometimes.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 18, 2014 - 8:02am

What's the front bezel look like?

Certainly a close match for thie first watch shown here.

Early Bulova Pocket Watch advert

Geoff Baker
Posted November 3, 2014 - 6:25am

Hi John, sorry I missed posting on your watch, not sure how this one slipped by me. I agree with Bob that this beauty is most likely a Hudson maxim but like him I am unsure of the date of manufacture. It sure is a beautiful watch!

bobbee
Posted November 8, 2014 - 4:44am

Date is incorrect. No HM ads prior to 1921. First ad in May mentions this as being the "introduction" of a new line.

William Smith
Posted November 9, 2014 - 12:32pm

Well 1917 is "pre-1920".  Not sure it's a HM.  More sure it's not HM if the date is 1917.  I like the idea of a question mark behind date to indicate its a "best educated guess" at the time.  

I'm one tick as published.  It's a GREAT watch!!!

bobbee
Posted November 10, 2014 - 4:59am

I would like to see the bezel too. I can't make a decision on a watch without seeing what it "all" looks like.

The ad with the faces on it is post Spring 1923, as Bulova did not move to 392 Fifth Ave. until then.

The case looks pre-1920 to me as I said, but the movement/dial look to be around 1921-23 ( or a little later). 

This  watch DEFINITELY needs a question mark next to the date! :-)

bobbee
Posted March 26, 2015 - 6:40am

Just noticed the clear dust cap in the photograph. Anyone seen one pre-1920's?

Not me.