Bulova 1931 La Fayette

Submitted by FifthAvenueRes… on
Manufacture Year
1931
Movement Model
10AN
Movement Date Code
Square Shield
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
1045313
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case measures 37mm lug to lug x 26.5mm non inclusive of the Crown using Calipers.  Butler finish Dial shows luminous Arabic Numerals, Bulova signature and tracks are printed in Black. Hour and Minute Hands are 'Cathedral' style and a Modern style Seconds Hand appears on a sub Dial partially obscuring the 6.  A Dust shield and Gold retaining ring appears over the Movement. Movement block is Gold. Hinged Caseback is stamped as shown. Vintage display ad Dated 1930.

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
mybulova_admin
Posted May 25, 2012 - 11:00pm

I wonder what the difference is between this and the Govenor?

NOVA
Posted May 25, 2012 - 11:12pm

Crystal size is my guess.  I have two models that look like the Governor but take different crystals.  The cases are the same size.

Specifically, I have the Governor as

Crystal - 24.6mm x 22.4mm

 

Other model, possibly the Lafayette:

Crystal - 24.6mm x 19.7mm

 

The one I've been thinking may be the Lafayette is yellow gold like the subject watch.

rys24.6mm x 19.7mm, ta224.6mm x 19.7mm, 4.6mm x 19.7mm, l - 24.6mm x 19.7mm

 

mybulova_admin
Posted May 25, 2012 - 11:14pm

In reply to by NOVA

Is the Govenor a skinnier watch!

The ones we have in the database are white gold so that could also be a defining factor.

NOVA
Posted May 25, 2012 - 11:25pm

The cases are the same size, but the possible Lafayette has a thicker bezel, allowing it to take a narrower crystal.

I have three white gold models that take the wider crystal.  I believe them to be Governors. 

Isn't the Governor one of the models that has been ID'd only via the Price Guide?

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 26, 2012 - 7:56am

for what it's worth.

As the Watch Owner I've always questioned a 'GOVERNOR' ID on this Case - the bezel simply doesn't quite match.

IMO, the new ad for the 'LAFAYETTE' more closely resembles this bezel and although details of Case color are missing the Jewel Count, Dial and Hands are a match which should be worthy of a 2 Star 'tentative' ID.

2c

NOVA
Posted May 26, 2012 - 9:19am

What are the crystal dimensions on yours, Fifth?

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 26, 2012 - 6:32pm

24.7 x 19.6

Although the Watches shown above appear different the Case dimensions are the same (Optical illusion caused by the Camera angle at close range)

Crystal dimensions are also the same as noted above with the Silver Watch measuring on the big side of 19.6mm wide  - which could be accounted for by manufacturing variation.

The Dial in the Silver Case is marked Swiss and the Numerals are slightly different than on the Gold.

JP
Posted May 26, 2012 - 11:44pm

Silver cased watch appears to have different hands. Nice watches though.

JP
Posted May 26, 2012 - 11:47pm

Numbers appear to be slightly different from watch to watch. Could be optics but they don't look quite the same. The five is definetly not the same and the two in the 12 position is different.

William Smith
Posted May 27, 2012 - 6:28am

Sure looks like a tentative ID to me.  The crystal specs are very close to Lisa's possible Lafayette. I can't find either Governor or Lafayette in various crystal catalogs.