Model ID these 1950s Bulova Ambassador Models!?

Submitted by WatchCrystals.net on March 23, 2011 - 2:47am

Since we tend to gain SOME ground by "discussing" these namesakes, model/case/dial variants, etc. and eventually a "picture" or "sense" begins to emerge from the seamingly endless realm of "possibilities..."  we endeavor to make some (more) semblence of "sense," of it all...

The latest ? I have... is just how many of the A- M case and dial variants of the 1953- 58 (?) "AMBASSADOR" might be determined, at this juncture?! So far I have crystals for that many... and illustrations for only (2) with  certainty, from the same 1953 Jewelers Postcard or display ad, below.

In regard to having a "established" (i.e. a sustained,  year to year+) selling theme in perpetaual play... BULOVA was able to achieve this marketing/ad/design feat with models such as the the "Ambassador," "Senator," President," etc. at various times along the decadal continnium... whist also often offering a VARIETY of dial+ options, for these "popular" models! It would appear to me that much like the Senator... the Ambassador  was a "mainstay" company sub- branding, and a popular model offered in the 50s, as well as 40s, 30s and 20s... with many stylized incarnations, adhearing to an underlying "theme," as par for the course.

Hereafter is a (hypothetical) grouping of what I believe to be the "most likely" Alpha sequence, for the various Ambassador models... all things considered, based on what little info. I have... Perhaps you' all think I'm NOT open to opinions, or critique? I'm ALWAYS OPEN to "constructive input." However it also pains me... when people seemingly FORGET WHERE the IDs, ideas, logic, visuals, etc. ORIGINATED... be it  here, or elsewhere online... I also STILL HAVE far more information than I have time, energy, or focus to post here, not the least of which is the vast crystal data... which (think what you like!?) is OFTEN CRITICAL (along with the physical crystals, often times!) in addition to "visuals," when no other records remain, for general reference! And despite appearances, this is merely a "hobby" for me, also...

I personally expect that some form of "Jeweler's catalog," MUST HAVE been printed yearly to promote to dealers, the various models of Bulova watches that were potentially available to test market and restock? But frankly, only the (former?) jewelers, retailers, salespeople and employees of Bulova, can perhaps answer that question?? (Who may yet HAVE these specs and/or catalogs???) And then there's potentially a "NOS" collection trove, or maybe even some salesperson's "dummies" (watches w/o movements) etc., still lying about???

I'll ALSO post the crystal specs. hereafter soon, as well... so you can SEE the shapes proportions!

 

My Best :-)  Scott

WatchCrystals.net
Posted March 23, 2011 - 4:09am

Please Note: All models labeled "1953" for the sake of continuity...

 

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "A"

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "B" ?

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "C?"

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "D" ?

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "E"

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "F" ?

BULOVA AMBASSADOR "G" ?

 

YOUR THOUGHTS, FELLOW BULOVA AFECTIONADOS???

I'm frankly hoping someone else OUT THERE may have another ad, postcard, etc. illustrating these, or some of the 7+ other potential "A- M" (+?) Ambassador models from the approx. 1953- 58 timeframe?

 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 23, 2011 - 6:28am

Scott,

'AMBASSADOR B' - The ad is not named?

C, D, F, G. - ? No ads with obviously refinished dials. - The Case design may or may not be C - G but is the Dial correct?

'C' s Dial looks 'ACADAMY AWARDish'. - is it correct?

The numeral style on 'D' is inconsistant with its siblings shown. - is it correct?

'F' s Dial is very 'CRAFTSMANlike' - is it correct?

How would / could / do We know without visual aids. In reality We don't.

 

 

WatchCrystals.net
Posted March 23, 2011 - 5:51pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

These are merely examples and a basic "starting point..." So why get so "analytical," out of the gate??? (Which in turn, sets THAT precedent... And I actually posted in the FORUM, for once...) The origin of the "B" ad wasn't referenced... but it's a 1953 ad, from a US dept. store, likely from Jerin... (Who I also expected to "chime in," about it... FYI: Noone credits much of anything here, nor online... So once it's copied and reposted... that's generally that!? I have HUNDREDS of images online, BTW... And almost NOONE ever acknowledges WHERE the info/ad/pic, etc. ORIGINATED! But i don't CARE, after 2+ years!)

It would be nice if someone could take any likely watch design that's a 17J 1953- 57 "look" similar to the two above general case styles, and entertain that it or they may well be a 1953+ "Ambassador" model/s, since there were likely at least the "A- M" models produced (and denoted as such, since the crystals are spec's accordingly!) and out there, somewhere...

i.e. why not (rather) focus on the (2) general case stylizations, 17Js, 50s year range, and the shape and sizes of the bezel openings/crystals, as a GENERAL guide... I have been working on these offand on for a year+ and until more ads, etc. SURFACE... this is simply an exercise/another page to "index" online... to FISH for more relevant info and visuals... (As they DO EXIST, somewhere...)

Leaving "clues" inspires the NEXT person/s to "one up" it, by "putting two and two together," and thereby either IDing the model/s, or at least making relevant points, to consider, etc...

(2) Cases in Point:

Are the following pair of (1953- 57 manufactured) watches the HADLEY,  RUMSFORD, or rather an AMBASSADOR variant/2? We may never KNOW... unless/until someone OUT THERE (or one of US?) finds a similar ad, postcard or catalog???

BULOVA AMBASSADORS, HADLEYS, OR RUMSFORDS???

 

1953 ABOVE

1957 BELOW

 

I suspect it's rather either NOT two "Ambassadors?" OR... two variables, on that same model namesake?? As the dials and cases both VARY... and are VERY similar... AND take the same crystals! They also fit the precise manf. range, which frankly leans towards a PAIR of AMBASSADORS, eh? (i.e. the '53 and '57 manf. dates...) So HOPEFULLY someone will SEE this post + have or run across an AD, to further/clarify?? Aside from a PROVEN ID... is that not the underlying point of this discourse??? (And precisely WHY I suggested this Forum speak???)

Hereafter are the partial crystal specs. from my Excel file:

Ambassador, Hadley or Rumford
 4
CMY308-32FT
 1
RMW107-70T
 2
MY2363, or 2365

 

Best :-)  Scott

P.S. And BTW... Those of you IN THE KNOW, realize that there are FEW 1953- 1958+ Bulova display ads out there (for whatever reason/s?) in print... And THEREFORE we'll need to find JEWELERS efforts (postcards, personal ads they placed in print, etc.) and perhaps SALESPEOPLE's promo literature,  or maybe a CATALOG (?) to make much headway with the mid to latter 1950s model IDs...

WatchCrystals.net
Posted March 23, 2011 - 5:56pm

Hereafter are some of the MANY various (cataloged) BULOVA AMBASSADOR crystals spec'd:

 

MODEL:                                                                 G-S Acrylic         SUC Acrylic          BB Glass 

Ambassador, Hadley or Rumford
 
CMY308-32FT
 
RMW107-70T
 
MY2363, or 2365

 

Ambassador H (1186C)
 
CMX366-5

 

Ambassador "G" or "M"
 
CMX367-50
 
RMC118
 
CMR 2410

 

Ambassador "F"
 
CMX337-10
 
RMS139-20
 
CMX2228B 192

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ambassador "A"
 
CMX343-1
 
 
 
MX2228 192

 

Ambassador "B"
 
CMT325-5
 
RMU119
 
MT2331 204

 

Ambassador "E"
 
CMT343-2FT
 
RMU137
 
CMT2342 204

Ambassador "E"
 
 
 
RMU137T
 
CMT2342A

 

G-S (Germanow- Simon) Acrylic Plexiglas Part Nos. Specified:   (Mid+ 1950s Ambassadors)

Ambassador B 
 
CMT325-5

Ambassador C, D
 
CMX358-28 

Ambassador E 
 
CMT342-2FT

Ambassador G, M 
 
CMX367-50

Ambassador H 
 
CMX366-5

Ambassador H , I , J , O

 
CMX363-10

 

mybulova_admin
Posted March 24, 2011 - 6:56am

As a start, this is excelent, and we have to start somewhere. So let the hunt begin.

All I can offer is the following

1953 Bulova Ambassador A & E

and for what its worth

1959 Bulova Ambassador