This eighty year old isn’t in the best of shape but it’s completely original as far as I can tell with celluloid crystal and dust cover intact. The metal seems to have taken more wear than the top. The insides are average for a watch this age. It’s been serviced numerous times according to the watchmakers marks and maintaining a mirror finish wasn’t their top priority. I did a light brush with a felt pad and red compound so I could see the date code and serial but found neither. Thankfully Stephen Ollman at My Bulova filled in the information while I wasn’t looking. Despite the evident filth inside the movement it starts beating after a half turn, I had a hard time believing that myself so I let the mainspring down and tried it again, amazing. That isn’t really very unusual for a Bulova from this period as they were some of the finest movements made at the time no matter the continent. The finishing on the pallet fork alone is something to marvel at.

The 10AN is an adjusted 17 jewel movement using a breguet hairspring? over a split bi-metalic balance beating at 18.000 vph.

It looks like another job for International Dial unless it looks a lot better after a bath. Then again I can’t imagine the entire watch not looking a lot better after a bath.

updates and stickies as it’s restored…

Nov 15 2010 Update

With two extra parts movements in I’m cleaning and adjusting both to gauge which parts are the best. First of all the 17 jewel adjusted is the USA movement which looks to be chromium plated finishing so not a match as far as bridges. It did come with a step sided  case with very little or no brassing so that can be put aside for future use. Also a 15 jewel that looks as though someone used emery cloth to remove rust from the barrel cover and crown wheel. Not attractive to say the least but the other parts seemed to escape the clumsy restoration attempt.

If you’ve ever wondered how much torture a balance cock could take and still run, this is a good example.