Bulova 1954 His Highness
6/10 votes
Manufacture Year:
1954
Movement Model:
8AC
Movement Jewels:
21
Case Serial No.:
7476475
Case shape:
Rectangle
Case Manufacturer:
Bulova
Gender:
Mens Additional Information:
NOS (New Old Stock )1954 Bulova model 38179-Y. I think it's the missing link! If this watch watch was 1949 it would be an Excellency. If it was 1950 or '51 it would be an Academy Award. But here it is - WITH THE HANG TAG - and no name on it, just the model number 38179-Y (Yellow). Watch is presented in it's original clam shell transitional AA display case, with it's original band and raised quad crystal. Original Bulova guarantee booklet and polishing cloth complete this amazing package. Why didn't our friends on 5th Ave give this beauty a name - What can the mystery be?? What will we name this watch?
Added 6/18/2013
Not For Sale
FifthAvenueRest...
Posted June 19, 2013 - 6:48am
Geoff,
You state You think the Watch is the 'missing link'. In what way?
At this time I believe We have firmly established that Bulova, as result of a lawsuit 'agreement', would and did not advertise their award winning 'ACADAMY AWARD' series of Watches as such post 1952. Several Watches in the database confirm this action at this time
1952 'ACADAMY AWARD' vs 1953 'PARK LANE' immediately comes to mind.
Model 38179-Y, as with all other Bulova Watches of era, would have a Model Name.
1954 'UNKNOWN'
Geoff Baker
Posted June 20, 2013 - 1:37pm
Mark - Until I received this watch I would have agreed that all Bulovas at this time would have had names. My point is that Bulova didn't PUT that name on the hang tag, which normally they did - every other hang tag I've seen in this period HAD a name on it, why didn't his one?
This watch appears in the db of watches from 1949 thru 1953 with names like Director ( engraved) His Excellency, Director ( unengraved) Tuxedo (engraved) and finally Academy Award ZZ. In the Bulova produced ads it shows up in 1949 and 1950 as His Excellency and in 1952 as Academy Award.
In 1954 Bulova produced ads (not newspaper ads) there is no record of this watch. The AA deal was over yet they seemed to still seemed to be making these cases. Why wouldn't they just slap the His Excellency name on the tag and sell the left overs? They apparently still had the transitional clam shell boxes as well. Why did they not name it?
BTW - I think we should put it in, at a minimum as 38179-Y
JEV1A
Posted June 24, 2013 - 6:10pm
"If you read through the AA Lawsuit results, Bulova had to immediately halt production and had to edit advertising of said watch models." But also in accordance to the Suit, Bulova was allowed to sell off their remaining inventory of AA Models, cases, movements etc. So lets estimate they had 150,000 AA Models remaining . So therefore to see them still on the market post 1952 was without question normal. This looks like a custom AA Model to me. Or even a custom made from Bulova Jeweler. Therefore noname on tag. You had that option in the day to change out dials or different gold content and especially bracelets and bands. Call it an "X" Model. JEV1A
FifthAvenueRest...
Posted June 20, 2013 - 5:16pm
The latest Database ad to show this Watch occurs in 1951 naming it the 'ACADEMY AWARD' "ZZ" http://www.mybulova.com/sites/default/files/vintage_ads/bulova-ad-1951-4.jpg
We have an example dated 1953 also belonging to Mr Baker here http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1953-academy-award-zz-1756
but, then there's that lawsuit agreement dated 1952 thing.
In checking a 1950 price list I don't see the Model number listed, what I do see are Model numbers followed by a Model Name.
At this time it is 'UNKNOWN' what Bulova named this Model in 1953 and 1954
I do believe that this should be entered into the db as only model 38179-Y.
Here also is a photo of the of the closed clam shell.