Bulova 1923 156

Submitted by Kathy L. on
Manufacture Year
1923
Movement Model
10A
Movement Jewels
16
Movement Serial No.
116974
Case Serial No.
1305836
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
American Standard
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

This is a nice older model.  I think it is a 155 or 156.  Nice watch overall and working.  The only thing that differs from the ad is it has a 16 jewel movement instead of a 15.

156 Watch
Dial
Movement
Inside Case
Back of Case
1923 Ad
neetstuf-4-u
Posted January 29, 2020 - 7:11pm

Nice find, Kathy, well bought! It is really close, but I don't think it's either a 155 or 156. We have both ID'd in the Db, and the engraving differs. Neither has the beaded line on bezel front like yours. The 150 models are all quite similar, this may be a 157 which isn't represented in the Db as of now.. That's just speculation, tho. Still looking, Possibly a Minerva?

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1924-minerva-6759

Still looking.........

Geoff Baker
Posted January 30, 2020 - 9:39pm

These are so tough to ID with the lower quality adverts that we have Kathy. I just don't think I see a 155/6 either....looking

Kathy L.
Posted January 30, 2020 - 10:08pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Yes I agree.  After looking at many different ads for the 156/55 I don't think it is that one either.

Kathy L.
Posted January 31, 2020 - 10:28am

In reply to by jabs

It does match that watch in the DB.  I originally thought Minerva was a later name for the 156/55 but it is so hard to tell with these old ads and I am not really up on these old models.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted January 31, 2020 - 3:30pm

Good ad, Jabs. Shows both gold filled and solid gold as options. I'm good with

1923 Minerva

mybulova_admin
Posted January 31, 2020 - 7:27pm

I'm with IDing the watch as a 1923 Bulova 156 (14Kt Solid) as this advert is dated December 13 1923

Forgot to add this one as well from an early 1924 Bulova advert

1923 case engraving is different from the 1924 case but we have seen engraving variations before between solid and filled gold cases. I assume gold filled are stamped from a press and solid are hand engraved, thus case patterns varied to make it easier to hand engrave.

Kathy L.
Posted January 31, 2020 - 9:03pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Oh yes, great point!  I forgot about possible differences between engraving with solid vs gold filled.