Case measures 31.5mm lug to lug x 26mm non inclusive of the Crown using Calipers. White Dial shows luminous Arabic numerals, Bulova signature and tracks are printed in Black. Hour and Minute Hands are luminous and a Modern style Seconds Hand appears on a sub Dial fully obscuring the 6 and encroaching into the 5 and 7 numerals. Snap fit Caseback is Gold and stamped as shown. * Case and Movement matches http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1938-apollo-3056
Yea, I think this is a different watch model too, Aside from the bezel looking thinner, the figures on the dial don't match either. The biggest problem with this beauty is that Bulova just didn't make many rounds that early so the ad may be way off and the watch is indeed correct. Yes Fifth, another humdinger. Really nice find though, Congrats!
a common variant in the latter 1920's and early 1930's was a Radium Dial and a Dress version with raised Gilt numerals. We've seen it a hundred times or more now.
Here is the 'Dress version' named 'APOLLO' in the 1936 ad 3.
Identical Case, identical 15 Jewel 10 AE Movement dated 1938.
I think your on the right track Mark, as I thought in the beginning. It's just those damn "artist renditions" and un-clear images that can't be enlarged without distortion. As far as the "Military" connection, I couldn't even speculate as I don't collect military watches (save for one Waltham WWII bomber stopwatch that belonged to my ex- father in law) and have really never done the research.