Watch identification....

[edselsouth1]

     I have recently been given some watches that belonged to a family member. There are three watches in total. Two are complete, but non-running, and the third is missing some external parts. Would any of you folks be able to give me an approximate date of manufacture and other information on the watches? I have done some research, and have some information from the watches themselves. If this is possible, I will submit the information from the watches, and a picture of each. Thanks in advance,  David.
    

[Baco Noir]

First, welcome to WWF. Yes, please post sharp photos and include pictures of the dial, caseback and shots between the lugs if possible, and we'll do what we can to help with your research.

[CHIP]

Welcome to WWF!

Like Roger said, clear photos are key.
Post some when you have the time and we will be glad to take a look!

[edselsouth1]

Baco Noir, Chip,....  I'll try to get some pictures up of the watches in question. Seems I am not able to get  good close ups w/ the new camera as of yet. Just a bit more practice.  Sorry for the poor quality, and I will try to get better pics. Attachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment DeletedAttachment Deleted I do have information that I have retrieved from the watches.
      1st watch: Bulova ladies wristwatch: 23 jewels (on face), 2401 (in the case back), Bulova Watch Co. N3 (on the movement), 58D (on the movement), 10K rolled gold plate (on back), Bulova N3 (on back), X70311 (on back).
      2nd watch, Bulova ladies wristwatch (has seconds marked on the dial , i.e. 5, 10, 15, etc.), Bulova (on face), Bulova Quality (on case back), F185622 (on case back), 1/20 12kt gold filled (on clasp) Pat. 2037.055 USA (on clasp), Swiss (on face of dial at very bottom edge), HK 8/20/45 (on movement front, etched, probably for the recipient?), C16910 &  F-231 _ (all scratched inside the case back), Bulova Watch Co. (on movement), 6AH (on movement), Swiss (on movement), adjusted (on movement), 17 Seventeen jewels (on movement), VI II II (in case front, at the very bottom), F5 (on movement).
      3rd watch: May be a wristwatch, or small pocket watch ?. R.I. (on face), Wadsworth, Rambler Quality (case back inside), 4463883 (case back inside), 7 jewels, 2 adj. (on movement), R.I. (on movement), F5 (on movement), AR (on mevement), 1/4010K rgp (on clasp), Bradfield B/R (etched on clasp, may be recipient or jeweler?), Pat. 1786943 steel hinge made in USA (on clasp), has a top stem.

[edselsouth1]

Hopefully some better close up pictures of the watches:

[edselsouth1]

Additional pictures of the watches:

[Baco Noir]

I'm no help on these vintage ladies watches. GLADIATOR might be able to help on dating these though.

[aquajoe]

Welcome to WWF!   

I really don't know much about those older watches, but they're cool to have. Unfortunately, something of that vintage is probably worth more in sentimental value than actual cash value. Don't take my word on that though - there will be someone more knowledgable along in a little bit with more info.


Wadsworth was actually the case manufacturer for that watch. They started business in 1892 and a quick search on nawwc.org reveals that the Rambler grade cases were discontinued by 1904, so that gives us a rough idea of that watches age.

[edselsouth1]

Baco Noir, Joe,.... Thanks for the information on the watches. Agreed, monetary value is probably negligible vs. sentimental value. The Bulovas are complete, but not running. Maybe just a good cleaning will suffice. I'd like to know a bit more about the watches before I take them to someone for that. The "R.I." lacks the crystal, and the hour hand. There also might have been a second hand, but at this point I don't know. Perhaps some of the forum members can give more insight on this watch. Thanks again to all for your thoughts and information on these watches. Looking forward to learning more about them.

[aquajoe]

Feb 6, 2013 21:34:56 GMT -6 edselsouth1 said:

Perhaps some of the forum members can give more insight on this watch. Thanks again to all for your thoughts and information on these watches. Looking forward to learning more about them.

Hang tight, David - They'll be around

[edselsouth1]

Joe,.... Thanks. If any additional pictures are wanted, I'll try to provide them. I still need to learn a bit more on operating the camera for the best close up shots.   David.

[GLADIATOR]

Hi David and welcome
I prefer better pictures of each watch seperately. Its difficult to know which watch is which

The third watch is the oldest. Swiss movement.
Its a small ladies 'pendant' watch converted about 1913/14/15 to a wristwatch/bracelet watch
Case is made by Wadsworth - RAMBLER is there 'code' for thickness of gold plating - USA law banned the use of Guaranteed 10 yrs, 20 yrs etc.

The Bulovas - Bulova was an American company but used Swiss movements. Company was started 1875
1st Bulova - N3 = 1973

2nd Bulova - F5 = Are you sure it is an 'F' the letters started from 'J' = 1949. Prior to that a symbol (small) like a circle or triangle

The scratches are usually jeweller repair marks.
I could look up the patents, but nothing important

Value? Basically nothing but sentimental

Hope that helps

[edselsouth1]

GLADIATOR,....Thanks for your response. I'll post some better pictures of the watches, and put the pictures of each in a separate post.
I thought that the etch marks might have been put there by a jeweler. Might have been repairs done, or have a meaning for the owner of the timepiece.

The Wadsworth cased watch does indeed have a place on it around the stem for possibly a chain for a bracelet. I thought it might have been a sort of pocket watch, however a bracelet watch would make more sense. Any idea what the "R.I." would stand for?

Regarding the 2nd Bulova: I was in error about the F5 designation. There is no such marking on this
watch. I got that information from the Wadsworth, inscribed on the movement. I am posting a picture of the backside of the Bulova movement. I did not see any symbol(s), however there is a date etched above the dial, reading HK 8/20/45, as well as 6AH on the movement (see one of my previous posts). The 8/20/45 at least gives an approximation of the time period of the watch. I suspect that the date could be a jeweler's mark, or date the watch might have been given to the owner. More likely the first scenario? Am I correct in assuming the date would be on the movement?

Thanks,

David.

[edselsouth1]

GLADIATOR,....  Attached is a picture of the movement on the 2nd Bulova. The 1st Bulova is pretty well sorted as to date, etc.

[edselsouth1]

GLADIATOR,.. Upon further inspection of the movement, there appears to be an "o" (very faint) just to the left of the "17 seventeen jewels" inscription. Would that possible be the date code. That "o" could indicate 1925, 1934, or 1944. More than likely it would be 1944, if the 8/20/45 date is referenced. Might be even 1934 if the serial # on the back of the case could be traced to a timeline. Assuming one of the previous scenarios, I doubt the watch to be 1925 in origin. David.