My grandfather's Bulova

[baltimoredsmguy]

I recieved this watch after my grandfather passed away in 1991. All I was told about it was that it was my grandfathers first wrist watch. It is a mechanical movement. Also, on the back it says "BULOVA" on one side, and the numbers "8898134" on the other. It also has engraving on either side of the face of the watch, which you can see on the picture that I attached. I am not interested in selling it, but any information about the watch would be appreciated. It would also be nice to know what it is worth(priceless to me). Thank you for your time.

p.s. disreguard the box, it is what the people at the jewelry store put it in after they cleaned/reconditioned it.

[James A Robertson]

Nice looking Bulova, I would be interested to know what movement is this beauty, If I were to guess, It would contain the 21 jewel cal 7. If thats the case this watch may date to the mid 30's. If I were to appraise this watch I would say in the 450-500 USD range. Enjoy and be proud.
Best, JR

[Ray MacDonald]

I recieved this watch after my grandfather passed away in 1991. All I was told about it was that it was my grandfathers first wrist watch. It is a mechanical movement. Also, on the back it says "BULOVA" on one side, and the numbers "8898134" on the other. It also has engraving on either side of the face of the watch, which you can see on the picture that I attached. I am not interested in selling it, but any information about the watch would be appreciated. It would also be nice to know what it is worth(priceless to me). Thank you for your time.

p.s. disreguard the box, it is what the people at the jewelry store put it in after they cleaned/reconditioned it.
I have a similar looking Bulova 15 jewel movement from 1936, so I'd guess 1930s for your watch as well.
We'd have to see a picture of the movement to say for sure what it is.
The band would not be original as expansion bands like that came along in the 1940s. If you want it to look as authentic as possible, I'd suggest you get a nice quality leather strap for it. Thanks for posting.

[baltimoredsmguy]

on the movement it says "10BC" in a rectangle. and it also says 17 jewels. I just had it reconditioned(overwound it a couple months ago) and cleaned and the face is white, and looks brand new.(unlike the above picture from last year). What is the significance of the 17 jewel movement? Does that imply that it holds better time and is better quality than say a 10 jewel?

[Ray MacDonald]

on the movement it says "10BC" in a rectangle. and it also says 17 jewels. I just had it reconditioned(overwound it a couple months ago) and cleaned and the face is white, and looks brand new.(unlike the above picture from last year). What is the significance of the 17 jewel movement? Does that imply that it holds better time and is better quality than say a 10 jewel?
The fewest jewels in a jewelled lever movement is 7. That covers off all the fastest moving parts of the movement with jewels to reduce friction and wear.
A 15 jewel movement covers everything except the center wheel (a very slow moving wheel). Many excellent Swiss watches from the 1930s and early 1940s had 15 jewels.
A 17 jewel movement covers the center wheel as well. 17 would be considered fully jeweled for a wind-up watch. Most wind-ups from the 1940s and early 1950s were 17 jewel movements
Some railroad watches and high end wristwatches had additional cap jewels on the end of wheel arbors that can take you up to 21 or 23 jewels. Automatic watches can have jewels on the rotor and hence 25 or 30 jewels.
More jewels equals less wear and friction up to a point, but lesser jeweled movements can still keep good time. Watches advertising 100 jewel movements are just silly marketing hype.
Jewels are really cheap and have been for 100 years so there's no point in trying to judge quality by jewel count.