I got this watch from my local auction and I am new to vintage Bulovas. Overall condition shows that it is quite good considering the bold indexes and railway markers. The dial looks like a 1945 Bulova Senator with a beautiful copper dial. However, at the bottom right of the caliber (8AC 17j) is stamped L2, indicating 1952 as its year of manufacturing. The case is 14KT Rolled Gold Plate as printed on the back case, along with a Bulova-signed crown. Is there a possibility that my Bulova is franken based on the model & caliber year difference? I'm curious about this model's year. Thank you!
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You have a very nice 1946 Bulova Senator with a movement replacement.
1946 Bulova Senator
In reply to You have a very nice 1946… by Kathy L.
Thank you for the confirmation!
Fatah
Based on the case date of 1946 I would classify this as a 1946 Bulova Senator. This became a Spencer in 1947 according to ads in the DB. The movement is most likely a replacement based on the 1952 date code.
In reply to Based on the case date of… by JimDon5822
That is insightful. Does that mean the Senator line changed its design after 1947? I'd love to know more. Thanks for the confirmation!
Fatah
I'm comfortable to ID as a Bulova Senator, noting the very likelihood of a movement swap.
A 1946 Bulova 8AH seems correct.
In reply to I'm comfortable to ID as a… by mybulova_admin
Great, thank you for the correction! I thought it was either 8AH or 8AD for the correct movement. At first, I was quite sure it had a movement swap because the 8AC movements were produced starting from 1949(?) CMIIW.
Fatah
1946 Senator with a replaced movement.
In reply to 1946 Senator with a replaced… by neetstuf-4-u
Thank you for the confirmation! I also had the same thought when the dial was quite wobbly as I pulled the crown.
Fatah
I have the same watch. What size strap does it use?
In reply to I have the same watch. What… by glpflorida
It uses a 14mm strap, I'm using the one with a 12mm buckle