Bulova 1937 -Non-Conforming

Submitted by Philip W on
Manufacture Year
1937
Movement Model
7AP
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
7712171
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Case appears to be a 1937 Ambassador; the 21 jewel 7AP movement would seem to confirm this.   However, it looks like it has acquired the dial from either a 1940s Minute Man or American Eagle.   Either way, it’s in beautiful condition. 

Front
Caseback with serial number
Inside caseback
Movement
JimDon5822
Posted August 24, 2026 - 10:23am

To me this appears to be a Minuteman with a swapped movement.  

Philip W
Posted August 24, 2026 - 10:31am

In reply to by JimDon5822

Please see the links I posted in the comments. The Minute Man models I found online with this dial have a steel caseback, and a smooth bezel with no engraving. 

I still think it’s an Ambassador with a Minute Man dial. 

Geoff Baker
Posted August 26, 2026 - 9:50pm

In reply to by Philip W

Phillip - with all respect due to eBay, Etsy and Reddit sellers we often find incorrect information in their posts. Our method has been and will always be to ID watches using the resources we collected over the years. If we can make a definite ID we will, if we cannot be certain, well we state that. Thanks for your patience but please respect our decision when we make it? - cheers!

plainsmen
Posted August 26, 2026 - 1:52am

That's a Midshipman dial.

Midshipmen

plainsmen
Posted August 26, 2026 - 1:56am

I'd say a Midshipman dial in a swapped 21 Jewel movement in a Minuteman case with the scrolling.  I don't think the Midshipman came with the scrolled bezel.

And honestly ..dude could have bought it right from the jeweler customized (up sold) the way he wanted it.

But because that dial wasn't quite yet around in '37... I'm leaning towards a hobbyist jobber.

Geoff Baker
Posted August 26, 2026 - 9:45pm

So, to recap - I've been back and forth on this watch 10 times. Possible Minuteman case (1937) with a 21j non standard 1939 movement wearing a possible Midshipman dial ( that does not match the 21J movement.

Hmmm - If we ID by case alone, it's a 1937 Minuteman with a replacement dial AND movement. If we take all the other data in consideration, it's non-conforming. 

mybulova_admin
Posted August 27, 2026 - 1:31am

If the components are a mixed bag, then definitely non-conforming. It certainly looks like a combination of 3 different models, Minute Man, Midshipman and a 21Jwatch movement.

So either Unknown or Non-confirming.