1927 Bulova Lone Eagle
I'd like to start this topic by inviting all who read this to post any information they may have about the release of the original 5000 Bulova Lone Eagle watch series in May 1927.
You can read my article "The Bulova Lone Eagle Story" for an insight into my theory about this amazing watch series.
Some points to consider:
- Did Bulova really sell 5000 watches within the 3 days after the Lindbergh landing?
- Where were they sold, America or France?
- What advertising did Bulova use back in 1927 to accomplish such an amazing feat?
- Why did the corner design change?
- Is the design of corner cut model that we see today really an art-deco symbol for an eagle?
I look forward to hearing your comments and thoughts.
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I received today a very interesting hi-res Bulova ad. I was very interested to see that this ad had the date of issue printed on the reverse. I had previously thought the ad to be for early 1927 (pre May 1927) as the ad features the Bulova Conqueror, the predecessor to the original Lone Eagle.
Here is the ad.
However to my suprise when I flipped the ad over and enhanced the date I found the following
The date of the ad is July 2, 1927. What is interesting about this is that Bulova had reportedly re-released this model as the Lone Eagle for Lindbergh's landing on 24 May 1927. Its interesting that Bulova were still selling this as the Conqueror a month or so after the event.
My search will continue to find the earliest ad to show this watch as a Lone Eagle.
Here is an interesting ad dated 19th June 1927 from the Athens Messanger, Ohio.
Looks nothing like any of the model we know of.
A 1927 theatre slide featuring the Charles Lindbergh, the Spirit of St Louis and the Bulova Lone Eagle watch.
Stephen
Croped for emphasis, Ad 8-27 is the first ad of the Lone Eagle that we have & that I know of. This date also coincides with production of casebacks showing patent JAN.11.1927 & also the closing of the nine on the dials. Knowing that Bulova would use old dials & casebacks until used up, confuses things a bit more. I think Bulova also used their existing Conqueror corner-cut case until used up. Businesses are like that! Yeah they are! The art deco eagle that is on the Lone Eagle corner-cut case is a good theory. However, it would answer a lot of questions if we had a date certain for the conversion. Bulova didn't always tell the truth in their advertising, as we well know. I think the transition to the Lone Eagle corner-cut, was probable unannounced.
The 5000 watch sellout in 3 days? Was this an advertising ploy or a fact?. Which brings up another question. I have never seen a picture of a real watch with the Conqueror corner-cut design, where are they?
Last Conqueror Ad- 1927-7-2
First Lone Eagle Ad 1927.8.27
Last Lone Eagle Series I Ad 12-17
The ads that are on-site do not depict the Art Deco Lone Eagle cut-corner design.
Wayne I agree with all that you said.
Here is a picture of the only 18K Bulova Conqueror that I have ever seen. Note the corner disign, but also not the 9 and cathedral hands.....weird...I believe the hands may have been updated.
I think my theory of Bulova changing the corner design to represnt that of a Lone Eagle is a stretch, but plausable as we see 1926 and 1927 14K Gold Filled Conquerors using the common design.
The last ad I have in my collection showing the coner cut Lone Eagle is April 14 1928. There are a few others before.
The Conqueror pic is a beauty. I notice that the dial has a few wrinkles e.g. No numbers in the seconds bit, no silver circle in the seconds bit. The number seven has a straight downstroke & a bend. Unlike any of the Conqueror ads. I wouldn't put my money on it being authentic.
Cross Post: http://www.mybulova.com/node/1129