I like these photo watches and this example comes from a repeat customer of ours, he's had it since it was new. The movt is '48 and the case is stamped L0 1950.
Case is Bulova Photo Watch "C", but face doesn't match any of the Photo Watch variants (A,B,C) in the database dated 50-52, which all contain an 8AC movement that is a different shape with a retainer on face back.
My gut feeling is that we are seeing a marriage of convenience - face and movement from another watch (possibly a 1948 Commodore or Patriot) that fit the case dropped in as a quick fix utilizing the original Photo Watch hands.
This watch currently ID'ed as Commodore (which may be mis-ID'ed) has the same face and movement.
https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1948-commodore-1813
as does this one ID'ed as Patriot
https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1948-patriot-4007
Sorry Rob, but I have to go
Non-conforming
I see what you mean, Bob. The hands are certainly a giveaway. The Commodore in the link is very possibly a re-dial, but the layout is the same. The Patriot's hands are different. I looked but I can't find anything else that matches the dial and hands except the one we have ID'ed as Commodore. I agree it probably isn't a Commodore.
As to this watch, I would have to also go with NC, but the case is certainly the Photowatch.
My take of subject watch at this point is the case and hands are from the original 1950 Photo Watch, and the face and movement are 1948 Patriot drop in. That makes the most sense.
It's also entirely possible the watch linked above ID'ed as Commodore is a marriage as well - of a Patriot face and movement and the case of something else. That's an ID project for another day.....
Because the case is a Photo Watch I am good with IDing it that way. These are really neat watches.
1950 Bulova Photo Watch "C" with noted face movement replacement.
Hmmm, again I'm in two minds about this one. Like others in the database, watches with a different dial and hands combo tend to suggest that it's had a complete movement swap.
If this combination isn't original to the Photo Watch series, I'd have to say we ID it a non-conforming, noting the reason why.
Thoughts?
I'm still at non-conforming.
EDIT: 1950 Photo Watch "C" noting face replacement
Non-Conforming
I hate to relegate this one to Non-Conforming......to me it's a photo watch with a replacement dial.
Point taken. I think we have discussed previously that were a watch can only be one model, despite any inconsistencies it might have, we should still ID it as that model, noting the inconsistencies concerned.
Sorry to flip-flop on this one, but I'm good with a 1950 Bulova Photo Watch.
Would this be the “C” variant? There’s another one in the DB with this same dial.