Bulova 1954 -Unknown

Member for

9 years 4 months
Submitted by donegd on January 28, 2015 - 9:18am
Manufacture Year
1954
Movement Model
10CSC
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
7447231
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hi All  just received this watch today. I have looked through db but cant find a match. The movement is a selfwinding automatic . Marked L4 for 1954 it is a 10CSC 17J unadjusted. There is no markings on the inside of the case denoting,  gold / gold filled etc. the outside of the case is marked with the number 7447231 (which I presume makes the watch a 1957 model). Bulova , St/Steel back, Water tite , with stars either side, Self Winding, Shock Proof, Anti Magnetic. The case is 30.5mm in dia. excluding the crown.  The case has a seperate outer ring which screws onto the bezel and seals the back.  Would appreciate anyones assistance in helping to identify this watch   thanks George

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch

Member for

10 years
Andersok
Posted January 28, 2015 - 10:09am

The dial certainly looks to be from the Clipper line. Can you check the caseback again as I am seeing a possible datestamp of L4 below the Bulova. One potential match would be the American Clipper, the lugs are different from all the other clipper models, and this one from 1959 looks to match yours. Also, probably 10KT RGP.

Member for

11 years 10 months
Reverend Rob
Posted January 28, 2015 - 10:23am

 

Are the lugs slightly bent? It wouldn't be the first time I've seen lugs bent outwards or inwards. 

Member for

10 years 7 months
1955mercury
Posted January 28, 2015 - 10:27am

It looks like the "America Clipper" in the ad Andersok references to me also. I'm seeing the "L4" on the case back too, which would make it a 1954 model.

Member for

9 years 4 months
donegd
Posted January 28, 2015 - 11:05am

Hi all  -  you chaps have much better eye sight than l have, yes your right thre is a very faint L4 marked on the back case. I will have to start using that micro camera l bought  Alan.

Rev bob  -  I had a look at the lugs and they dont seem to be bent at all.

Andersox - I thought it was a clipper too, but on all the pics/adverts the lugs were different apart from the 1959 advert you mentioned.  Thanks for your input gents

Member for

10 years
Andersok
Posted January 28, 2015 - 1:14pm

The Nov 1954 price list does not show an American Clipper available, but the Jan 1955 does. I don't recall seeing any other earlier 50s American Clipper ad prior to the '59 ad, does anyone else?

Member for

10 years
Andersok
Posted January 28, 2015 - 7:51pm

I am still unable to find an earlier ad for an American Clipper to verify if the design of this model in '54 was the same as the '59, dial is consistent with other Clippers of this time, so I would say this watch is a tentative 1954 American Clipper.

Member for

10 years 7 months
1955mercury
Posted January 28, 2015 - 6:22pm

This is suppose to be the 1953 Clipper. It's certainly not like the example.

 

Member for

9 years 4 months
donegd
Posted January 29, 2015 - 3:51am

This is what I came up against whilst I was trying to identify it, the dial and 17J movement was no trouble but the shape of the lugs on the bezel was the real problem, I couldnt find any pics/advert that showed the same shaped lugs any earlier than the 1959 advert. the 59 clipper looks the same as my watch, but all the markings point to it being a 1954. Maybe it wasn't a popular model in 54 and wasn't advertised, and was reissued in 1959

Member for

11 years 9 months
JP
Posted January 29, 2015 - 11:09am

Might have been a jeweler case swap. The lugs do look a little bent on one end.

Member for

9 years 4 months
donegd
Posted January 29, 2015 - 12:37pm

The lugs are not bent :) it is the focus of the camera lense