Bulova 1944 Minute Man

Submitted by Larry Boerio on
Manufacture Year
1944
Movement Model
10AK
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
4217527
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
23.5 (H) x 21.6 (W at widest point)
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Back Plate:

Outside: Serial # 4217527. This would mean 1942. Can’t be sure if this is the original back plate.

Inside: BULOVA 10K ROLLED GOLD PLATE BEZEL STERLING BASE STAINLESS BACK NEW YORK.

From Movement:

17 Jewels

BULOVA WATCH Co U.S.A.”

10 AK is inscribed inside a rectangular drawn box.

All lettering is in gold.

“Chain Link” type gold wristband:

Pat 2097055 USA (I have copy of patent issued in 1937) for “Extensible Bracelet Clasp”

Clasp is marked “1/20-12K Gold Filled”

If info I was given is correct:

Given by my mother to my father before they married in 1948.

I’m fairly certain that they did not meet until he got discharged in May 1946.

Front
Movement
Back plate
Inside back cover
With wristband
Larry Boerio
Posted November 25, 2023 - 2:35pm

In reply to by 1955mercury

Thanks again! 

So, are you saying the case back/plate was originally gold plated? 

Larry Boerio
Posted November 25, 2023 - 2:35pm

In reply to by 1955mercury

Thanks again! 

So, are you saying the case back/plate was originally gold plated? 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 25, 2023 - 2:39pm

Case back is unplated stainless steel.

Watch bezel (body) is gold plated sterling silver.

Larry Boerio
Posted November 25, 2023 - 3:23pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Mr./Ms Neetstuf, 

Thanks again! It's starting to make sense.

I'm new at this and have searched the internet to understand some of the terms. What do you mean by the "bezel (body)"?

From what I've seen on the internet the bezel is a ring/circle etc that surrounds a watch face and can move in some watchesto indicate passage of time. My watch wouldn't appear to have a bezel, per-se. As a novice here, what surrounds the watch face on my watch appears to me to be the case which apparently then is gold plated sterling silver but is more than just what surrounds the watch face and hold the entire movement in place along with the separate case back. Can you clarify for me. Thank you. 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 25, 2023 - 5:17pm

In reply to by Larry Boerio

Bezel is technically a ring that either holds the crystal into the watch or encircles it and is either fixed or rotating. In the instance of a solid body watch with a removable back, it's just easier to refer to the watch body that the crystal is affixed in (minus the back, movement and crystal as "bezel" instead of the wordy description I just typed.

1955mercury
Posted November 25, 2023 - 2:54pm

Exactly as Neetstuf said. Look inside the case back. It's stamped "Stainless back".