Bulova 1935 -Unknown

Submitted by LoganJFisher on October 26, 2023 - 8:12pm
Manufacture Year
1935
Movement Model
6AF
Movement Date Code
Circle
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
J518942
Case Serial No.
551586
Case shape
Tonneau
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
11.42 x 14.39
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

This watch was recently given to me by my grandfather. We believe that it belonged to his mother who died about 15 years ago at the age of 100. I am looking to identify it.

Searching online this ******Active auction links removed by admin - Not allowed per site rules******************* are the most similar watches I've found. The former has the same triple-points in the design on the front, and the latter has the same engraving pattern alone the sides of the watch as can be seen next to the crown.

Regardless of what the latter link above might indicate, I've been given reason to believe that this may be from the 1920s primarily due to its art deco design. I also found an engraved circle on the movement (https://mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes), which would indicate that it was made in 1925, 1934, or 1944.

On the movemement are the engravings "Bulova Watch Co.", "USA", "Fifteen 15 Jewels", "Adjusted", "6AF", and  lastly "RS", and "AF" at the regulator.

On the exterior of the rear casing are the engravings "551586" and "10K Rolled Gold Plate".

On the interior of the rear casing are the hand-engravings which I've interpreted as "A6/111/3", "12/1/07", and "J518942". Only the first of which can be read with the naked eye and can be seen in the photo as my phone camera simply isn't capable of making out the extremely small etchings of the other two. I have low confidence that I interpreted the second engraving correctly, but high confidence that I interpreted the third engraving correctly. I'm not sure if the third is meant to be the movement serial number. If so, it's rather odd to me that it's hand-engraved rather than done by machine like that on the exterior of the casing.

I should note that it runs and the interior plastic dustcover is in place. Also, the strap is marked as "Gemex 1/20-12KT Gold Filled Made in USA".

 Off-white dial, gold arabic numbers and gold "Bulova" on dial, blue minute and hour hands. The case has a tonneau shape featuring art deco ornamentation.
Gold-tone movement with engravings including "Bulova Watch Co.", "USA", "Fifteen 15 Jewels", "Adjusted", "6AF", and  lastly "RS", and "AF" at the regulator.
Plain crown with ridged edge. More art deco ornamentation along the side of the case.
Case number 551586. The 6 is faint but definitely visible.
Hand-engravings which I've interpreted as "A6/111/3", "12/1/07", and "J518942". Moderate-low confidence on the first, low confidence on the second, high confidence on the third. Only the first is semi-legible in the photo due to the small size of the others.
Advertisement for what appears to be this watch casing with a different dial. Sold for $37.50 (equivalent to $850 in 2023)
neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 1, 2023 - 10:43am

Unknown

mybulova_admin
Posted November 2, 2023 - 4:57am

Time to take a fresh look through the newspaper archives.

1955mercury
Posted November 2, 2023 - 8:36pm

I'm just curious. Is anyone seeing a "Bulova" or an "American Standard" case signature on this watch? All I see is a 6 digit serial number. 

Alex
Posted November 2, 2023 - 9:44pm

In reply to by 1955mercury

It is at the back on the opposite side of the serial number. It is not shown in the pictures posted. 

LoganJFisher
Posted November 3, 2023 - 1:13am

In reply to by Alex

I can confirm this. I have a photo, but unfortunately was limited in the number I could upload and determined that was probably the least important of the bunch.

 

Along with "Bulova", it is engraved "10K Rolled Gold Plate".