Bulova 1941 Pocket Watch

Submitted by RStone on
Manufacture Year
1941
Movement Model
AH
Movement Date Code
Asterisk
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
589050
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
37mm diameter
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

The case number may be preceded by a "1" or an "L" but - if it is - it is faint. The number H8791 has been hand scratched onto the inside of the back of the case.

The watch is not functioning - probably overwound (my brother and I played with it as kids).

I can't see a movement number but the letters BXW are there near the tip of the adjustment lever.

Looking at the date symbols this watch could also be of 1924 vintage - the symbols look the same to me

The face is rather dirty and there may be some corrosion, the case is gold plate I think
Shot of movement
mybulova_admin
Posted March 17, 2022 - 7:29pm

It'll definitely be 1941. Overwound is one of those phrases that actually does not exist with a watch as it's impossible to do so.

It's either fully wound or snapped :-) 

Most watches that are 'overwound' are in fact fully wound, but with either a stuck gear train or a broken balance wheel, both are fixable. If the balance wheel wobbles up and down then it'll be the balance staff. If the balance wheel sits flat and rotates back and forth for a bit, then it'll probably be the gear train. Fixing a broken balance staffs are a little more tricky than fixing a stuck gear train, so hopefully your watch just needs a service.

Kathy L.
Posted March 18, 2022 - 11:23am

I love the dial on this pocket watch, very specific time frame these and the black/grey dials were put out.  

1941 Bulova Pocket Watch

mybulova_admin
Posted March 21, 2022 - 4:45am

Have not been able to find a matching advert, so for now ID'ing as a generic 1941 Bulova Pocket watch.

Geoff Baker
Posted March 21, 2022 - 9:34pm

Family heirloom?  1941 Bulova Pocket Watch

RStone
Posted April 2, 2022 - 7:21am

Not sure if it is an heirloom but it is not the watch I thought it was, it was my wife's father's not my father's.However, that does raise a question - what should it be insured for - is it an heirloom or simply an interesting watch?

 

Thanks to all for the input

mybulova_admin
Posted April 3, 2022 - 2:53am

Technically your watch can be considered an 'heirloom' - 'something of special value handed down from one generation to another'.

Being an heirloom does not make the watch any more valuable from a market value point of view, but should be considered valuable to the owner none the less for the connection the item has to a family member.

With that said your best bet to obtain a 'market' value evaluation of toy watch would be to see what others similar are actually selling for. One way to do this is to search for past auction results for pocket watches of similar age and condition to yours.

It's always best to understand that vintage items are very hard to evaluate as there are so many factors to consider.