Bulova 1924 155

Submitted by 1955mercury on May 2, 2023 - 11:03am
Manufacture Year
1924
Movement Model
10A
Movement Date Code
Asterisk
Movement Jewels
16
Movement Serial No.
139796
Case Serial No.
4019500
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
Rose
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
round 19mm
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

Got this ladies Bulova yesterday. It has a 16 jewel 10A movement that is running but the winding stem won't lock in place. The setting lever screw won't tighten, it just turns forever. Thought I'd post it before I tear it down in case parts are needed and it takes considerable time to find them. 

Front
In the display case
Dial
Movement
Inside the case back
Kathy L.
Posted May 2, 2023 - 2:38pm

I saw this one and would have tried for it myself if I didn't already have one, nice package with the case.  The dial is beautiful.  I believe the 155 is the gold filled model.

1924 Bulova 155

mybulova_admin
Posted May 2, 2023 - 9:53pm

Merc, I haver some 10A parts tat might help if you get stuck. It will be nice to see this old'gal receive a service and brought back to her old flappy'self.

Despite most adverts showing the 155 as having a 15 jewel movement (thus the second 5 in the model number), we quite often see these housing a 16 jewelled movement.

1924 Bulova "155" certainly gets my vote.

1955mercury
Posted May 2, 2023 - 10:20pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thanks Stephen. I'll let you know what parts are needed if any when I tear it down and if you have them I'll buy them from you. I've got a bunch of 10xx parts movements, but don't know which parts are interchangeable with this 10A yet. 

JimDon5822
Posted May 2, 2023 - 11:57pm

I might have some parts also.   Beautiful watch and well worth restoring.   Sounds like the setting lever screw sheared off.  I will defer to the other panel members on these early Bulova's.  

1955mercury
Posted May 4, 2023 - 11:07am

I'm making progress on it. Took the hands and dial off this morning and the setting lever screw had been completely unscrewed out of the setting lever and the clutch lever wasn't in the groove on the winding pinion. Got that sorted out and found out the mainspring is broken. It will wind up about 4 turns of the crown and then slips. Did some research and supposedly a mainspring for these, 10AA, 10AL, 10E, and ETA 411-412-413 are all interchangeable. Surely I can find one of those.

     This movement has a different keyless works from any of the other Bulovas I've worked on. 

Bulova 10A movement front

 

mybulova_admin
Posted May 4, 2023 - 8:41pm

The fully unscrewed setting lever was goint to be my call as sell. Been there myself a few times, which can be annoying as it means the dial and hands have to come off. Not neccessary a hard task if you have a good hands remover tool (worth the investment for anyone looking to fix an old watch). Mainspring should be pretty easy to find.

1955mercury
Posted May 4, 2023 - 8:55pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

That was the best possible problem it could have. No parts needed to fix it. Found a new mainspring on ebay and have it heading this way.