I have entered the year as an estimate as although I couldn’t find anything identical, there were some with similar features from around that time. The watch is gold-coloured and says ‘14k’ on the back. It is set with white stones around the face. I don’t think the watch works, but it is very pretty. I was given it as a gift, so don’t know anything at all about it’s history and am hoping to find out more.
Dear Carly123, your watch is the Gilda and is from 1938, the year is was also advertised in the Saturday Evening Post. A very beautiful watch. Congratulations with this gift!
In reply to Dear Carly123, your watch is… by Alex
Thank you!
Assuming this is a 17J movement I agree that this would be a 1937 Bulova Gilda.
In reply to Assuming this is a 17J… by JimDon5822
Thank you - is there an easy way to check the movement or would I need to take it to a jewellers?
In reply to Thank you - is there an easy… by carly123
You would need to open it up and make a picture of the movement. If you have never done that, it sounds scarier than it is. Just with a small knife in the seam between the top and bottom part of the case, wiggle a bit and it will open.
In reply to You would need to open it up… by Alex
I’ve managed to open it up but the front of the watch has come off rather than the back - I’ve added a new photo off the stage I e got up to. Not sure how to get the back off - there’s a slot in the side but I’m worried about damaging something if I stick the knife in the wrong place.
In reply to Everything looks good for a… by mybulova_admin
It’s very difficult to count because they are so tiny and they are set in silver-coloured metal, but yes, it looks like there are 20 diamonds there.
Gilda looks like a match to me, pending diamond count. I would go by the case serial number and go with 1939. Beautiful watch.
1939 Bulova Gilda
Ah, I classified it as 1938. Looking at the first digit I interpreted it being an 8, also looking at the last number in the serial number that is a 9 and looks different from the first digit.