This watch was a 10th anniversary gift from my wife’s grandmother to her grandfather, as seen on the engraving on the back. Despite the engraving date, I believe the watch is a 1951 based on the date stamped on the inside of the case-back. I think it may be a Watertite “L”, but it may also be a different variant. The main reason for that is that I wonder if band may be original, and the ”L” already in the database has a bracelet.
It is a small watch even by older standards. There are none of the typical date codes on either the case or movement, just a “51” stamped inside the case back, similar to others in the database.
The recipient of the watch spent his entire career at Bulova, retiring sometime in the 1970s. He certainly had other watches, so I wonder if this got little wrist time which allowed it to maintain the original band. The band is a light gray leather and thickly padded. It has no identifying marks.
Thank you for posting this watch. This is the second example in our database. 1951 Bulova Watertite "L"
That looks like a good match Jim.
1951 Bulova Watertite "L"
Not that it matters much, but I do believe I'm seeing an L2 on the movement just above the word 'UNADJUSTED''.
1951 Bulova Watertite "L"
I finally got a chance to look, yes, it is L2. Not sure how I missed that. There is a sort of spring ring that fits between the movement and case back that obscures it when it is in place, but obviously it is out for the photos.
1952 and the 'L' is on an expansion bracelet.
On a leather strap it could be any other number of variants.