This 1929, 15J 10 AL movement is working and keeping time. The dial was in poor shape, but it cleaned up quite a bit. This is a non-conforming watch. Many of the non-conforming watches that I've seen look like later style re-cased watches. This case looks like a Bulova case from the period of the 10AL. As a matter of fact the seller (incorrectly) called this a 1929 Bulova Ambassador, probably due to the yellow gold inserts above and below the dial. It is slightly similar, but inside the case appears the words "Coronation Rolled Plate Ellen." In the center is a shield with three rectangles and an X. My searches come up with no information on this case. I really would interested in knowing if anyone has more information on this case.
Very cool watch. Face really cleaned up well. You are correct, this falls under the category of Non-conforming because the case is a presumed replacement not produced by Bulova. The only reference I could find regarding the manufacturer is a trademark patent for the Ellen Watch Case Co. I may be wrong, but seem to remember being told that "Coronation" is a classification/grade of plating thickness.
.jpg)
It's interesting that the Ellen WC Co. was based in NY, NY just as Bulova was. Perhaps, some day we will uncover a connection, but for now it's a
1929 Non-conforming
In reply to Very cool watch; and you are… by neetstuf-4-u
Wow! That's great detective work! Thanks! I'm wondering if Ellen bought new movements from Bulova and then cased them. As I said, the case style looks like a 1929-30 case. I take it that there are no other Ellen cases on myBulova as no results came up except for this one.
Dennis
In reply to Wow! That's great detective… by DennisBlva
I suspect that this is just a simple case of someone putting a Bulova movement (with dial and hands) into a case they had that looked the part.
I don't see Bulova selling their movements to other case manufactures. It's more possible that Bulova bought up or used case stock from other companies during this period to meet sale demands.
For me though I strongly suspect that this is simply just a case or a marriage of parts to make a complete watch.
Non-conforming.
