Bulova 1941 Interceptor

Submitted by JimDon5822 on
Manufacture Year
1941
Movement Model
10AX
Movement Date Code
Asterisk
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
1338681 or I338681
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
22.5M Round Plastic
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This appears to be a 1941 Interceptor.  It is a 10KT Yellow Gold Plated case with Stainless case back.  The movement is a 10AX 15J with an asterisk date code.   The dial has yellow gold applied markers, printed BULOVA and sub second track with no numbers.  The hour markets also has distinct printed hour triangles at each hour marker.  It also has extra long lugs.   The only watch that seems to be a match is in this Interceptor ad.    For fun I included a photo a group photo showing a group of these watches including Apollo, Air Warden, Night Hawk and a few unknowns.

Interceptor
Interceptor Movement
Interceptor Back
Group photo
Interceptor Ad
Geoff Baker
Posted February 17, 2020 - 9:07pm

I'm confused I think (as usual). It seems the Interceptor is a latter name. The first reference I see to it is this 1944 advert. I'm not sure what year the advert above and it doesn't show a name. The watch seems to match Kathy's Commander but I don't know the year on those adverts either. I want to do a little more research.....

Based on the 1947 date of the Apollo ad, I would probably rule it out.

JimDon5822
Posted February 17, 2020 - 9:23pm

I thought I put both ads on. I based it on this 1943 Interceptor ad posted in the forums.  https://www.mybulova.com/node/2759 .  The font on the Commander is stylized deco while this dial is Arabic block number with a minutes "railroad" track and triangle markers just like the ad.    The sub second is also smaller with no numbers.  Not sure as the ad looks like printed hour markers while mine is applied.  Although the others look printed too but they are probably applied.

1943 Ad

Kathy L.
Posted February 22, 2020 - 12:01pm

Love the group shot.  I am good with Interceptor.

1941 Bulova Interceptor

Geoff Baker
Posted February 25, 2020 - 10:03pm

I'm kind of stuck on Commander for this guy......which unfortunately leaves a tie

JimDon5822
Posted February 25, 2020 - 10:18pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

The font on the Commander hour markers is different.  

mybulova_admin
Posted February 29, 2020 - 4:32am

I thought I commented on this one. Must not have saved,

I'm looking at the dial on this one and comparing it to the Commander. I'm seeing a few differences, notably the number font, but also and maybe more importantly the sub-second hand component which differs greatly between the two watches and is much more of a match to the Bulova Intercepter.

There is also a 1941 advert on Watchophilia showing a Bulova Interceptor with a better matching dial.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 4, 2020 - 5:47pm

Call it an Interceptor until an ad surfaces to say otherwise. Based on font and seconds track, it seems to be the best available match.

1941 Interceptor

Panel?