Bulova 1951 Watertite

Submitted by HickoryT on July 25, 2023 - 7:05pm
M
Manufacture Year
1951
Movement Model
10BTC
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
129401
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

17 jewel, 10BTC, Silver color case,  stainless steel back, Swiss, 51, 129401, white dial, red second hand
 

Front
Movement
Interior of back, exterior is unmarked
Case back
Stinky_Sullivan
Posted July 28, 2023 - 11:08am

I asked Hickory to add the picture showing the entire watch from the underside. This gives a better view of the underside of the lugs which is the area that is typically in the worst condition. From my experience with another brand that used chrome cases extensively, I know chrome corrodes easily and is very prone to pitting. The "M" has a chrome case. Maybe that's why we haven't seen any of them. They just don't withstand the test of time. As you can see from the picture, the lugs are scratched and have some gouges. If this were a chrome case, there would be lots of corrosion and far more damage because of that. This does not appear to be a chrome case so it is unlikely this is the "M" variant.

Geoff Baker
Posted July 28, 2023 - 9:32pm

Stephen - THIS advert has the chrome case (top) as variant F.  THIS one shows it as the M.

JimDon5822
Posted July 28, 2023 - 9:54pm

I see nothing that changes my mind from the 1951 add calling this a Watertight "D".  The numbers on his watch are clearly lumed as are the hands and the trylon dots.

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted July 29, 2023 - 11:12am

Hickory tested the case and it is not magnetic so it’s stainless which means it can’t be the “M”. So what’s the difference between the “D” and “F”?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 29, 2023 - 12:02pm

I believe chrome plated cases are generally a brass alloy or pot metal. Photo of watch back shows obvious plating loss and deterioration / wear to brass base metal on the edges of the lugs. Non-magnetic. Case back is stainless and remainder (top) is plated.

Based on the newly uploaded full case back photo, I'm back to the chrome plated variant; which would be Watertite "M" or "F" as per the ads Geoff referenced above. I now see we have 2 identical watches in the database ID'ed as "F".

I believe we should follow suit and ID this one as 1951 Watertite "F" in 1951

Looks to have been re-named "M" in 1953

1955mercury
Posted July 29, 2023 - 5:57pm

I hope he didn't stick a magnet to it with the movement in it.