Bulova Minute Man Watch Gallery
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Lt. Scott's watch was purchased on eBay in September 2021.
1943 Bulova Minute Man
Sometime in 1943 – perhaps on his visit to New York City – Lt. Scott purchased a 10kt gold 21-jewel Bulova Minute Man watch. The watch cost around $34 in 1943 ($750 in 2021; a Lieutenant's monthly salary was about $175).
On the back of the watch, Scott had his name and his unique Army Officer Service Number engraved:
“Lt. Monroe A. Scott ~ O1894790 ~ U.S.A”.
Bulova produced the "Curvex-style" Minute Man from 1937 through 1943; after that, it was replaced was a rectangular case. They continued to produce a Minute Man style through the 1970s. The elongated case was curved to comfortably fit on your wrist -- and was a copy of the very popular Gruen Curvex style; it is 43mm long by 22mm wide.
Monroe's watch featured a 21-jewel Bulova 7AP movement, code dated to 1940. The dial was badly water damaged and the second hand was missing; the movement did not run. I replaced the original, non-working 1940 Bulova 7AP movement with a working 1937 7AP 17-jewel donor movement.
The original WW2 leather watch strap was cracked and worn beyond repair; I was able to replace it with an identical WW2 Army-issued "new old stock" leather band.
Dear Ted and Tom,
You recently repaired and restored an 80-year-old Hamilton Wilshire watch for Bob Stokes.
The watch is inscribed “Col. Frank Whitehead / U.S.M C / Staff A.I.C. / 12.23.’41”. It was presented to the Colonel by the staff of the Army Industrial College after the graduation of the final class immediately after America entered WWII. Col. Whitehead was the last pre-war Commandant of AIC, and he retired from the Corps at the rank of Brigadier General on January 1, 1946 – the day before I was born. Significantly, he was my cousin.
After Bob Stokes acquired the watch and somehow (amazingly) learned that I was related to its original wearer, he sent the watch to you for repair and restoration; he and I have been communicating regularly since early February. Today, I received from Bob what appears to be a brand new Hamilton Wilshire watch.
On behalf of my Family and its generations yet to come, I cannot thank you enough for your expert craftsmanship in repairing and restoring my cousin’s watch, and to Bob for sending it back to its Family. Should I or anyone I know (especially all my Texas Friends!) ever require watch repairs, rest assured that The Watch Doc will be the first call made. You truly perform “watch miracles”.
Thanks again & best regards,
Gale Heslop