Case Number: X09365
Case Marked: Bulova 10K Gold Filled L8
Movement Marked: 5AD, BULOVA, 21 JLS,5ADJ
Inside case back: BULOVA FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK
Additional Information:
Inside the case back there are small numbers scribed "+10-71" which is circled and a few other numbers that are too small to read. I assume that these are adjustments?
Four small diamonds are set into the watch
I have painstakingly scoured all of the ads from 1959-1970 and have not returned a similar watch. Can anybody help me please?
Thank you in advance for any and all help!
- John Soriano
I am about 99.9% sure that this is a "American Girl" model that has had the bangle bracelet replaced with a expansion band. The wide extended angled lugs are the type that is seen on this series of watches, and some of the later 1950's and early 60's had 21J movements.
The L8 on the case back would date this watch to 1958.
My intuition is somewhat correct then. I thought the band had to be replaced at some point...
Im noticing:
The crystal is more round than any of these and per the visual depictions.
Item "F" had diamonds on each side for a total of two whereas the one I have contains TWO diamonds a side for a total of four.
Both of these are advertised as having 17 Jewels as opposed to the 21 the one I have contains.
Forgive my ignorance... Could these be a variation of the American Girl watch?
Thank you for your prompt reply and the information you have provided for me. It is truly appreciated!
- JRS
In reply to My intuition is somewhat by TNG0420
They made many American Girl variants, here is the 1958 Bulova Dealer price list showing some of the "American Girl" series...there are more that I couldn't fit on this snip, but as you can see the price reflects Jewel count, Case material, and Diamond embellishments.
One thing that is common to all of the "American Girl" watches we have in the ad database is that the all have a Bangle Bracelet.
OT has tis one called right on. This is an American Girl with a band change. Aside my many Academy Award models I have collected many of the American and Canadian Girl models. I will post a picture of this original watch tomorrow. I believe the diamond embellishments could have been added by the jeweller as I have not seen diamonds on this model before. That doesn't mean Bulova didn't make it this way, I just haven't seen this model with the diamonds.
Is the a white or yellow gold version? Looks to be yellow in the photo's but I'm gettin older and have trouble seeing things on the PC.
Hello and good morning to all!
As you can Imagine, I spent and entire dinner at this laptop trying to find anything that looked like this watch.
In response to "bourg01", It is a 10k yellow gold filled case and the "embellishments" (where the diamonds are) are in silver or another white metal but I cannot be sure.
Also, the outside of the band is yellow (the caps) and the bottoms look to be SS with USA scribed on every link... Did Bulova have any bands like this in production models?
Sorry for so many questions but, I think I've just found a new item/brand to collect. I'm a hoarder of WW2 firearms, modern and antique pocket/bowie knives. My wife is going to kill me now... : /
Thanks guys!
