Vintage Bulova Chesterfield Dress Pocket Watch Openface 15 Jewels 17AH - w/Chain

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Watch Overview

This Bulova Chesterfield dress pocket watch from the 1940s features a round 10K yellow rolled gold-plated case with a smooth bezel and engraved details. The beautiful white dial displays gold-tone Arabic numerals, a black “railroad” minute track, and a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock, combining elegance with vintage charm.

Powered by the caliber Bulova 17AH manual-winding movement, it offers central hours, minutes, and sub-seconds, with a 37-hour power reserve and a frequency of 18,000 vph. The movement has been fully inspected and authenticated, ensuring accurate and reliable performance.

Measuring 42.5mm round-case shape with a thickness of 9.6mm, this pocket watch comes with a chain and is still in very good vintage condition. Gentle signs of wear add character, making it a fully functional, elegant, and collectible timepiece.

Product Details

General Specifications

• Brand: Bulova
• Type: Pocket watch
• Model: Chesterfield
• Reference: -
• Year / Era: 1940s - Vintage
• Gender: Men's
• Country of Manufacture: Switzerland - Swiss Made

Dial & Display

• Display: Analog
• Color: White
• Features: Gold-tone applicated Arabic Numerals, black "railroad" minute track and matching hands. Small seconds at 6 o'clock position.

Movement

• Type: Mechanical
• Caliber: Bulova 17AH
• Jewels: 15
• Movement Functions:
  • Manual-winding
  • Central hours and minutes
  • Sub-seconds
• Power Reserve: 37-hours
• Frequency: 18,000 vph

Case & Band

• Material: 10K yellow rolled gold plated
• Case Shape: Round with engraved
• Bezel: Smooth
• Crystal: Acrylic
• Back: Screw
• Crown: Pull-push
• Water Resistance: -
• Case Back Markings: Bulova - 10K Rolled Plated

Case Measurements (mm)

• Case Size: 42.5
• Case Diameter w/Crown: 44.5
• Case Thickness: 9.6

Additional Info

• Box & Papers: NO
• Condition: The watch is in good condition, gentle signs of wear consistent with use, a solid case and dial. It comes with chain.
• Extras: This timepiece has been fully inspected and authenticated by our in-house watchmaker, confirming that it runs accurately. It is ready to wear.

History & Legacy of Bulova

The Bulova Watch Company is a distinguished American watchmaker with a legacy spanning more than 140 years. Founded in 1875 by Czech immigrant Joseph Bulova in New York City, the company quickly earned a reputation for innovation and precision in timekeeping. Originally producing high-quality pocket watches and jewelry, Bulova became a pioneer in the wristwatch market by the early 20th century. Notably, the brand introduced the first full line of men's wristwatches in 1919 and was among the first to implement standardized production across its timepieces. Throughout the decades, Bulova led numerous horological milestones, including the launch of the first television commercial in 1941. In 2008, Bulova was acquired by Citizen Watch Co. Ltd. of Japan, forming Citizen Watch America. Today, Bulova continues to offer a diverse range of watches—from classic automatics to cutting-edge precisionist models—renowned for their craftsmanship, reliability, and iconic American style.

The Bulova Accutron, launched in 1960, revolutionized watchmaking as the world’s first fully electronic watch. Its groundbreaking movement replaced the traditional balance wheel and hairspring with a 360-hertz tuning fork powered by a transistor-controlled electronic circuit. This innovation allowed the Accutron to achieve a then-unmatched accuracy of within ±2 seconds per day, far surpassing mechanical watches of the time. The tuning fork mechanism also produced a distinctive humming sound, a hallmark of Accutron timepieces. Because of its superior precision and reliability, the Accutron movement was adopted in numerous aerospace applications. It was used in 46 NASA missions, integrated into satellite timing instruments, and issued to pilots of the experimental X-15 rocket plane. The Accutron was not only a technical marvel but also a symbol of modernity, widely embraced by both consumers and professionals in aviation and space exploration. Its slogan, “Accutron – Tomorrow’s Watch,” captured the spirit of innovation that defined a generation of timekeeping.

About Second Hand Horology

At SECOND HAND HOROLOGY, we offer a curated selection of watches ranging from vintage to modern, including both brand-new and pre-owned timepieces. We’re committed to quality, accuracy, and integrity. Our listings feature:

Professional, unedited photography and clear, transparent descriptions. Every watch is thoroughly inspected and securely packaged to ensure a confident, seamless buying experience.

We also warmly invite you to visit our physical shop and explore the collection in person.

Contact Us

We appreciate you checking out our listing! Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions, offers, or just to talk watches — we love what we do and enjoy connecting with fellow enthusiasts.

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