I recently purchased this watch as I have been watching it for sometime. I believe it closely resembles that of a 1926 Executive, hand carved, 14k solid gold. However, a couple things throw me off. One being that the inside case back has a date of 1927 and the movement is a 15 jewel. The ad for the 1926 Executive says it should have a 17 jewel movement. The hands aren't original, the dial looks pretty good, may be a relume. The case overall is beautiful! I love the hand carved look of it! But I need help making sense of it all. I hope you al l can help! Unfortunately the seller's photos don't show the movement date code.
Nice watch!, thanks for sharing. Serial number on inside of case starts with a 9, so date is 1929. The 1927 date is a patent date for the dust cover assembly over the movement. Once you have it "in hand", the movement date code will help ID it. It certainly looks to be an Executive, with the possibility of a movement replacement (17 vs 15).
In the late 1920's there were several square Bulovas with very similar faces, it's also possible this is an Executive casing with the movement and face from another model; or it could just be a matter of movement replacement.
I will say it's an unknown until you can provide movement info.
EDIT: 10/16/20 - train of thought revised - see below.
Intriguing watch. The overall case design and style is a match for the early Senator, but I've not yet seen an advert for a sold gold version. That doesn't mean one does not exist or there is no such thing. The Executive is also a possibility, but the advert shoes a slighlight different case design, despite the option of a sold gold case.
I do make note that from about 1926/27 onwards we see less and less watches advertised in sold gold. Perhaps Bulova figured that if a buyer was interested in the advertised gold filled version and went to a jeweller to buy one, the jeweller could try and upsell a sold gold version without the need to advertise. Perhaps this was common practice during this period.
I considered that as well, Stephen. Here's where it got confusing: none of the Senators pre-1928 we have previously ID'd appear to match cited ads (diagonal 45 degree vs. 90 degree corner transitions from crystal). Subject watch is an engraving match, but also appears to closely match Executive..All the Senators pre-1929 ID'ed in the Db (gold plated) show the engraving with diagonal lines at crystal corners with one; more leaf-like engraving on case verticals from 1928 (ID'ed apparently per ad comparison noted below).
Agreed that the ads we have for Executive pre-1929 appear to show a narrow smooth beveled area at vertical case edges. Another example here
There is one Senator ad comparison ID'd here with both ads dated as 1926 Showing Senator with the option of solid gold, citing 2 ads with identical text but different illustrations. Full ad here showing Senator solid gold with 17 jewels or plated with 15 jewels That would seem to indicate one of the ads is a misprint,
After much deeper digging and headache inducing clicking back and forth between multiple screens, I will agree this is a 14K gold Senator with the possibility of a movement swap. It is also entirely possible that by 1929 this model was 15 jewels exclusively. In 1930 or roundabouts the Senator case style changed and watch is advertised as 15 jewel. Awaiting confirmation of date code.
1929 Bulova Senator
I tend to believe the more floral sided Senator ad illustration is a misprint and different watch entirely (possibly a Wimbleton Ladies); making the ID'ed 1928 Senator potentially mis-identified. If we are to trust these early Senator ads matching subject watch and giving the solid gold option with 90 degree corners, it's also possible that those watches previously ID'ed as pre-1929 Senators with 45 degree corners are also potential mis-identified as well......That is a discussion for another day.
