Hi looking for help here just purchased this watch because I liked face and into 50s watches but movement dates 1925/35 plus can't see any Ashford's of this style on your site. Asking if 50s dial is it one of those frankenstein watches you talk about? Not received watch to give you case details . Regards Ray
Sorry hit ladies by accident It's Gents watch.
Hi Ray, welcome to myBulova. Once you get the watch I would ask that you post a photo of the caseback and double check the date code on the movement. With a little more information we should be able to help you ID the watch. (I fixed the gender too).
Hi thanks will give case number when it arrives. Date code on movement? I'm justhinking used to 50s movements eg LO L1 L2. Just know it's a 10AN movement.
Hi Rockin Ray. I remember seeing that watch for sale on ebay and it's a Frankenstein. That's not a Bulova dial or case. If I remember correctly the seller listed it as a genuine vintage Bulova. If he did I would be returning it to him and get a refund.
Edit: I checked and I had this watch in my watch list. This is some of the things the seller said:
"A seldom seen vintage, Ca. 1950 (L0) Bulova "ASHFORD" mans dress wristwatch with a 17 jewel, wind-up/mechanical movement"
"Fabulous, original 2-tone, waffle design dial"
"I am a long-time member and past president of the NAWCC"
"I guarantee this watch 110%"
Then this is a photo of the case back:
That "E" in a diamond is the trademark of the Elite watch case company and they didn't make Bulova watch cases.
Hi 55mercury thanks for the added info, I won't return it because I bought it cos I liked the dial. Alarm bells went of when I seen 10AN cos can't imagine that would have L0 on movement. I have another Frankenstein Bulova that dial looks late 40s early 50s but has a auto date movement in back. But again I bought for the looks will post that when I take photos. Thanks Ray
There were several companies that had the 'knotted lugs' type of case, so obviously it was a popular design. A well-meaning write up for the 'Bay, but unfortunately not accurate. I see this a lot- even sometimes serious collectors seem to know very little about Bulova, and I don't mean you, Ray. I'm a NAWCC member and I see a lot of old watches at the Marts and meetings, and Bulovas are definitely under rated.
Last production year for the 10AN was 1937.
Hi Reverend Rob glad for more info, as I said earlier I bought watch because of the dial but I knew movement was a lot earlier than L0 . So did Bulova only use one certain case manufacturer or did they make their own cases? Thanks Ray
In reply to Hi Reverend Rob glad for more by rockin ray
Ray, Bulova did not always make their own cases. Early on they used American Standard. What is generally consistent though is that the case is marked Bulova somewhere. Bulova used a couple different manufacturers for their solid gold cases over the years but again, almost without fail they'll be marked Bulova. If you remember, when you added your watch you where given several choices for the case manufacturer markings, among them Bulova, American Standard, American Standard Bulova, Star & Jonell.
In reply to Ray, Bulova did not always by Geoff Baker
Hi Geoff,left case details blank haven't received watch yet. When I receive it will update. Thanks Ray
In reply to Ray, Bulova did not always by Geoff Baker
Can someone tell me how I can add new photos to this post thanks Ray