Description: 1937 Ben Hur |
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Model Name |
Ben Hur |
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Case Date |
1937 |
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Case Serial |
7431116 |
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Signature Locations |
Inside case, outside case, movement, dial |
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Case Signature Format |
Inside - "Bulova, Fifth Ave, New York" Outside - "B -" |
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Movement |
10AK, 17 Jewels, no adjustments indicated |
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Movement Date Code |
1936 |
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Case Material Description |
10K Gold Filled (yellow) |
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Case Dimensions |
37mm lug to lug x 25mm without crown (29.5mm without lugs) |
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Case Type |
Snap back, tonneau with steps |
| Crystal Specifications |
26.6mm x 17.2mm (G-S MT361-45) |
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Other Details |
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NOTES: Although the date of the movement is appropriate for the case, the jewel count does not match the ad, which specifies a 21 jewel movement. This could have been a lower cost option offered but not advertised, or the movement could have been replaced at some point. Typically, the Ben Hur is seen with a 10AE 21 Jewel movement.
It is not clear at this point what the difference is between the Calhoun and the unengraved Ben Hur. The two watches are listed in crystal catalogs as taking the same crystal. We have ads for both watches, and they appear to be of identical size and shape. They both have 21-jewel movements. Ads for the Ben Hur show it with both an engraved and unengraved case. Ads for the Calhoon show it with an unengraved case only (so far). At this point, we can assume that an engraved case is the Ben Hur, but where does that leave us with the unengraved version? The dates of the ads overlap in 1938, so the date of manufacture is not a viable distinction between the two models. It is possible that the strap is the distinction between the two watches, with the Ben Hur offered on a metal bracelet and the Calhoun on a leather strap, as shown in the advertisements. However, since we rarely see watches of this age still sporting the original strap, it is, in my view, impossible to make a definite model distinction based on the strap alone.
See the 1938 Ben Hur in my collection for an example of the engraved version, along with the matching advertisement.
1937 Ben Hur
