The BULOVA "CHIEF" was apparently a new release (replacement?) for the very similar (case and dial look) "CLINTON," sporting a (new?) 17 Jewel movement, and a stylish gold filled braided metal band... I unfortunately only have the information posted, that is visible in the cropped image of the display ad illustration. "CHIEF, 17 Jewels, $57.50." (Dec. 11th, 1948 Saturday Evening Post...)
BEST :-) William
In reply to YGF, RGP? Black Hands, Black by FifthAvenueRes…
The 12/11/48 (SEP) ad only shows the info provided... And yes, black (painted) numerals vs. AGN (Applied Gold Numerals) were on the watch used, for this illustration... Might that have been the only option, on such a popular selling case, after nearly a decade? I highly doubt it... as the watches after the war were also (if anything) getting FANCIER until the mid 1950s, at least!
:-) Scott
Agreed, on the Black Hands and Numerals.
The 'CHIEF' and 'COMPTROLLER', then 'KNICKERBOCKER' and then the 'CLINTON' are 2 different models.
The 'COMPTROLLER', 'KNICKERBOCKER' and then 'CLINTON' being one and the same with Gilt Hands and Numerals.
Year of production would denote which.
: )
In reply to Agreed, on the Black Hands by FifthAvenueRes…
The dial finish options were 2+ on ALL models, any watch brand, in the mid to upper price tiers... As the 1948 Christmas ad I just uploadload illustates, for the sake of consistent aesthetics... (i.e. they might just as easily been ALL "AGN" dial faces, or lummie dials, for that matter!) Those were afterall (Bulter with black numerals, or AGN on Champagne) the mainstay for Bulova (and others) basic dial offerings...
And when they were spendier watches with say 21Js, etc... then they offered 3- 5 dial stylized options... Elgin for example did this for decades, and practically OWNED the mid priced ladies market, when Bulova started making watches, in the mid 20s... And consequently, ultimately had some 10,000 "model releases," in about 90 years time... by enlarge due simply to the HUGE no. of subtle design choices offered! (i.e. dials, etc.)
:-) Scott
 _.jpg)