Bulova 1953 Jordan

Submitted by plainsmen on October 16, 2011 - 5:25pm
Manufacture Year
1953
Movement Model
10BT
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
6557567
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Watch Description

Some very sweet lugs on this Ashford.  The case is in pretty great shape and overall a tight watch!  As per new ads and debate.  Changed to the Jordan on 5/8/2012.

1953 Bulova Jordan
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
NOVA
Posted May 1, 2012 - 8:24pm

Given the date of the watch and the date of the new-ish ad, I'd say Plains has the first Jordan on site.  Good call, Bobbee.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2012 - 8:53pm

Yup,

I think the Watch came before the ad.

DarHin
Posted May 1, 2012 - 8:57pm

Did Bulova change the model name of a watch without changing any of the details? Not counting a bracelet vs a leather band.

 

NOVA
Posted May 1, 2012 - 9:05pm

We've seen name changes only before.  Look at all the models that changed to a
"His Excellency" variant in 1947.

Our best guess is that it was a marketing ploy to generate new interest in an old model, presumably one that was successful, and they wanted to prolong that success.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2012 - 9:36pm

Welp, now that You mention it Darren the 'ASHFORD' is shown on Leather and the 'JORDAN' is shown on a Bracelet.

The subject Watch matches the 'ASHFORD'

IMO

 : )

NOVA
Posted May 1, 2012 - 9:54pm

We're not talking about a variant here, Fifth.  We're talking about two different model names, applied to watches at different points in time.   Watches were offered on a lot of different bands and bracelets.  If you study the ads, you will find the same watch advertised during the same time period of time with different straps, yet bearing the same model name. 

This strap thing is getting ridiculous.  Are you really going to start invalidating all model IDs based on the fact that the strap doesn't match the ad?  That's exactly what you are suggesting here.  Plains' leather strap is not original and does not match the ad.  So what does that make his watch?  Neither the Ashford nor the Jordan?  An unknown based on the strap?  That is the result you are suggesting.

I think you need to remember two very important facts.  1) We don't have all the ads, and so don't know all the options for every model, and 2) we have never assumed that Bulova advertised every option for every model.  They are advertisements, not a jewelers' catalog. 

You are headed back to an old, dark place, where no model could be accepted unless it matched every aspect of a given ad exactly.  That approach didn't make sense then, and it doesn't make sense now.

If you want to give it less than three stars due to its unoriginal strap, that's your call.  But to base the model name on that unoriginal strap, just because it happens to be leather, is nothing short of silly.

DarHin
Posted May 1, 2012 - 10:05pm

Mark, now that you mention that I mentioned it. "Out of the mouths of babes" so to speak.

Both Ashford ads show a leather band, with 1 ad specifying it. The '53 Jordan ad specifies an expansion bracelet.

Until there is an ad that shows both side by side or gives both options with both models, a la Tuxedo/Craftsman, I just don't know.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 1, 2012 - 10:19pm

I gave it 3 as the 'ASHFORD'.

If You review the ads there are several Name changes based upon Leather strap vs Bracelet.

Agreed We don't have all the ads but the evidence is there to suggest that Bulova did indeed make Model Name changes based on the mount. This Watch and the ads displayed being one example.

 

The mid 1940's (?) 'COMPTROLLER' / 'KNICKERBOCKER' also comes to mind.

In one Year the Watch is shown to be the 'COMPTROLLER' on Leather, the following Year ad depicts the Watch as the 'KNICKERBOCKER' on a Bracelet.

These 'Name changes' may not be a Name change at all. It's possible these were Models produced concurrently and Named differently based on the strap type they were sold on.

NOVA
Posted May 1, 2012 - 10:38pm

In reply to by FifthAvenueRes…

Pure speculation.  The only example we have of a strap being the difference between two seemingly identical models with different names is the Tuxedo vs. the Craftsman.  In that case, the advertisement clearly articulated that the solid gold bracelet distinguishes the two models.  That is not the case here or with any other model.  All your other supposed examples are based on your assumptions.

DarHin
Posted May 1, 2012 - 10:19pm

I would give 3 stars if named the Jordan until more evidence of bracelet/strap being the deciding factor.