This watch was in my fathers things I went through after his passing. The watch is rectangular in a "10K gold filled" case, stamped on back, and also on back, opposite side is "6851010". The crystal had come loose and was taped on. The face has some discoloration but all there. The 3 hands, hour, minutes, and small second hand at bottom of face, are there and it will run for short periods but stops soon after. The band is brown leather with "GEMFX calf" stamped on back of band. The movement has "21 jewels" stamped on it and a rectangle with "7AK" inside of it and a small square. Scratched inside the case back is "8-18-50" with a large flourish. under that is scratched "E9/17/54B" I am exicited to learn all I can about this watch, it could be my grandfathers, it's age will give me more clues.
I think we are looking at 1946 Bulova American Eagle, reasons I see the same as with another watch in database
here is advert from 1946
Hi Mark - welcome to myBulova, heirloom watches are very exciting to me, how fortunate you are to have this one from you grandfather. Between the square date code symbol and the leading "6" serial number I'm going to suggest your watch is 1946. I think the lugs (part where the band attaches) are more like American Eagle than Statesman.
1946 Bulova American Eagle
It would appear to be the American Eagle based on the lug sides being straight (not curved inward like the Statesman) and without the 90 degree notch around the crystal corners (like we see in the Director). The watch may have had an expansion band originally, as the ads do not show a strap option and only specify expansion; however the leather strap that it currently has looks period, but perhaps should have Bulova stamped on it if original.
I heard a story from a retired jeweller and watchmaker, he said customers oftentimes would ask to have the expansion bands removed on new watches at point of sale, and a leather one substituted. Apparently, at some point the expansion bands started to lose favour, or maybe it was before they became popular? I do get asked to change a new band myself, but not very often. Expansion bands have become more popular in the past few years and some watch companies have restored them as options on their models.
I'm currently working one just like this. It needs a replacement crystal and the hour hand. According to the Bulova parts catalog, the hands are called 'MODERN' (Gold). so the code for the Minute-Hour hands would be 7AK #63-64, GM15 (Gold Modern 15mm across dial). The crystal is rather interesting. BB catalog (they made the Glass crystals) shows MX2165 175 (21.65mm x 17.5mm). It also shows some variants: all are Bulova 176 (CMX2160 domed on the short edge), (CMX2160A Prism, 2 facets, across short side), (CMX2160B Prism 3 facets, across short side), (CMX2160C Prism 3 facets, across LONG side), (CMX2160D, Flat top), (CMX2160E Domed with High sides, long edge). If you look at the AD above, you can 'see' 2 lines in the crystal running the long way (from either side of 12 to the sub second dial). this looks 'exactly like' the CMX2160C variant. I wonder if Bulova sold them with the variants, or.... the crystal companies added those along the way. ?? GS and SUC (plastic crystals) also made the same variants but in plastic (as opposed to Glass). for example: GSX326-35 = CMX2160 in shape and design.
Cheers
Bill