Overview
A diminutive mechanical wristwatch featuring a square dial and decorative fan-shaped lugs characteristic of the late Art Deco period.
Preliminary identification
Vintage Bulova Ladies' Cocktail Watch, c. 1940s
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Story
The 1940s marked a turning point where the wristwatch fully eclipsed the pocket watch as the standard for the modern woman. This piece likely sat on the wrist of someone during the height of the Big Band era, perhaps worn to a USO dance or a celebratory dinner.
Maker / Origin
Joseph Bulova opened his first jewelry shop in New York in 1875, but his legacy was built on the 'total standardization' of watch parts, which allowed for easier repair.
Condition & Value
The watch shows significant signs of age, including heavy patina (discoloration) on the dial and wear to the metal plating on the lugs. The crystal is scratched, and the expansion band appears to be a later mid-century replacement. If the movement is not running, the value is at the lower end of the range.
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction
· Jun 2024Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
$1,280
SOLD
Dealer archive
· Mar 2024Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
$1,450
SOLD
Marketplace sale
· Jan 2024Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
$980
SOLD
Estate platform
· Oct 2023Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
$1,150
SOLD
Auction result
· Aug 2023Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.
$1,375
SOLD