unknown model-father's watch-10K rolled gold
Looks like an Arnold case. I don't know where the date came from but I would need to see the case back and inside of case back and the movement to be able to date the watch correctly.
In reply to Looks like an Arnold case. I by JP
My father received this watch from his parents when he graduated from high school in 1938. I just added the photos you requested. Let me know if you need me to take another case photo.
Date might be correct. The dial looks a bit strange but it may just be the crsystal distortion.
A better photo of the movement and back case may help.
Could be the Commodore.
For the case, Arnold appears much later, and has different lugs, as evicenced from the side view of this 1948 Arnold here. So it's not a later Arnold case w/ earlier 17j movement. Looks like 1937 case and 1938 movement. Looks close to 1940 ad for Commodore, but Commodore appears longer and narrower. Subject dail doesn't seem to fit the case, even with some crystal distortion.
Arnold case maybe, dial is definately not a match so we really don't have a viable production date from the movement to the case. Serial # on the case starts with a 7, but is that 37 or 47?
Looks like a throw together to me. No insult intended or implied, just my opinion.
The watch, having been in J6L's family since 1938 is, I think, and Arnold CASE. To Shawn's point the dial doesn't appear to belong. The case wear marks on the dial do not appear to have come from this case. I think it's possible that the dial suffered sometime in the past 75 years and might have been replaced.
The most important thing about this watch is that J6L still has it. What a joy it must be to own his fathers 1938 graduation gift! Original dial or not......that inscription! Wonderful it is. Priceless treasure.
I don't think the Arnold model was advertised this early...1938 Our examples for Arnold are from late 1940's. I think ads for Arnold start in 1947. ....and if you check the lugs from this 1948 Arnold here, you'll see they are different than J6L's family heirloom. Engraving may be slightly different too. Sure looks similar to the Arnold from the front. I'm wondering if this is an unknown 1937/38 model, with a dial change? Regardless, like Geoff says, it's a priceless family treasure.
I value all input on my father,s watch. Unfortunately he passed away many years ago, leaving this website as my best option to learn more about this watch. I thank all the panel members with your efforts. I was hoping someone could shed some light on the crystal., Is it factory or a replacement?
I can't answer your crystal question...but it sure seems to follow the curve of the horizontal bezels. It is in good shape, which suggests it could have been replaced at some time...maybe when the watch was serviced and the dial was changed? We know the case is original!
I'm going with unknown for now.
I am probably wrong, but I have looked at the Advert's and watch data base and can't seem to find any Arnolds that have a hole in the lugs for the spring bar.