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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

Bulova WWII Ordnance Department Wristwatch

Partially verified

This is a 1944 U.S. Army military issue wristwatch manufactured by Bulova Watch Co. under Ordnance Department specifications. The watch features a 31.6 mm round chrome and steel case with a screw-down back stamped with serial OF 84652 and military markings. It houses a manual-wind Bulova caliber 10AK 15-jewel movement bearing a circle date code indicating 1944 manufacture. The black dial presents Arabic numerals, a peripheral railroad track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the 6 o'clock position. The timepiece is fitted to a green canvas two-piece strap.

Dial and case view of the Bulova WWII Ordnance Department wristwatch on an olive canvas strap
Dial and case view of the Bulova WWII Ordnance Department wristwatch on an olive canvas strap — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Bulova Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-1895
Source-reported date
1944
Country
United States
Source-reported serial
OF 84652

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Visual Observations

The wristwatch displays a matte black dial inscribed with 'BULOVA' beneath the 12 o'clock hour marker. Arabic numerals marking the hours are styled with luminous material and enclosed by a peripheral railroad-style minute track. Positioned at 6 o'clock is a subsidiary seconds register marked with ten-second numerical intervals.

The round silver-tone case shows visible surface wear along the bezel and lugs. A fluted winding crown is positioned on the right case band. The watch is attached to a two-piece olive-green canvas strap finished with perimeter stitching.

Evidence for this section
  • “Matte black dial marked 'BULOVA' below the 12 o'clock marker.”
  • “Luminous-style Arabic numeral hour markers paired with an outer railroad minute track.”
  • “Sub-seconds subsidiary dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.”
  • “Silver-tone case with visible wear and curved lugs attached to a stitched olive-green canvas strap.”
  • “Prominent fluted crown on the right side of the case.”

Case Dimensions and Military Inscriptions

According to the source listing, the case is constructed from chrome and steel with a screw-on back, measuring 31.6 mm in diameter, 40.2 mm lug-to-lug, 13 mm in thickness, and 16 mm across the lugs. The case exterior is stated to show signs of wear consistent with age.

The listing reports that the case back is engraved with military markings reading 'ORD. DEPT. U.S.A. OF. 84652 BULOVA WATCH CO.' The 'OF' code prefix is cited by the source as an Ordnance Department designation for 15- to 17-jewel wristwatches in waterproof cases.

Evidence for this section
  • “It is 31.6mm round chrome and steel case with a screw case back.”
  • “Case Back Signed: ORD. DEPT. U.S.A. OF. 84652 BULOVA WATCH CO.”
  • “Ordenance Code Marking: OF - for 15- to 17-jewel wrist watches (waterproof case).”

Reported Movement and Dating

The watch is reported by the seller to house a manual-wind Bulova caliber 10AK movement with 15 jewels and a sub-seconds hand. The movement is stated to be signed 'Bulova Watch Co. U.S.A.'

A manufacture date of 1944 is derived from the source's note of a stamped circle date code on the movement. These movement details and internal stamps are not verified in the photograph and rely entirely on the listing description.

Evidence for this section
  • “Bulova movement caliber 10AK, 15 jewels, sub second hand.”
  • “Movement: Bulova Watch Co. U.S.A. 15 Jewels Cal. 10AK O”
  • “The movement also has a circle date code (1944) and signed U.S.A. made.”

Open research questions

  • Can direct physical inspection of the case back confirm the reported stamping 'ORD. DEPT. U.S.A. OF. 84652 BULOVA WATCH CO.'?
  • Does inspection of the movement reveal caliber 10AK, a 15-jewel count, and the reported circle date symbol corresponding to 1944?
  • Does radiometric testing verify whether the luminous compound on the dial and hands contains original wartime radium material?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bulova WWII Ordnance Department Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Back SerialOF 84652“The case back serial number is OF 84652”
CaliberCaliber 10AK“Bulova movement caliber 10AK, 15 jewels”
Case Diameter31.6 mm“Case Diameter 31.6”
Case InscriptionORD. DEPT. U.S.A. OF. 84652 BULOVA WATCH CO.“Case Back Signed: ORD. DEPT. U.S.A. OF. 84652 BULOVA WATCH CO.”
Case Lug to Lug40.2 mm“Case Lug to Lug 40.2”
Case Thickness13 mm“Case Thickness 13”
Band Width16 mm“Band Width 16”

Visible details

  • Matte black dial marked 'BULOVA' below the 12 o'clock marker.
  • Luminous-style Arabic numeral hour markers paired with an outer railroad minute track.
  • Sub-seconds subsidiary dial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic numerals at ten-second intervals.
  • Silver-tone case with visible wear and curved lugs attached to a stitched olive-green canvas strap.
  • Prominent fluted crown on the right side of the case.

Research qualifications

  • The internal caliber 10AK movement and case back inscriptions are not visible in the primary photograph and rely on source listing statements.
  • Reported radium dial luminosity has not been independently measured.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

1944 BULOVA Official WWII Military Issue Watch ORD. DEPT. U.S.A. – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record fed4a8da0d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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