Bulova 1953 Brigadier

Submitted by Stinky_Sullivan on October 16, 2023 - 11:52pm
A
Manufacture Year
1953
Movement Model
8AC
Movement Date Code
L1
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
6566934
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

L3 date code on the case
SN 6566934

21j 8AC movement
L1 date code

movement has apparently been replaced

I don’t know if this is a Douglas or a Brigadier. The information is not distinguishable between the two. As far as I can tell, it could be either. The line book from 56/57 shows the Brigadier “A” which is an exact match. The only Douglas variant shown in the ads is the Douglas “B” but I think that’s the rose gold version. Several examples of the yellow version are in the ads without variant identification. The gray dial Douglas and black dial Brigadier most be other variants as well but they’re not identified as such.

All that I ask is that when each of you decide which model it is, please explain why it’s that model and not the other.

I received this with a bracelet that wasn’t original so I took the pictures with a strap on it.

1953 Bulova Douglas or Brigadier dial
1953 Bulova Douglas or Brigadier dial 2
1953 Bulova Douglas or Brigadier case back
1953 Bulova Douglas or Brigadier movement
neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 17, 2023 - 6:49am

Same here; date seems to be the deciding factor.

1953 Brigadier

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 17, 2023 - 8:23am

I do not disagree. However, there are 10 models ID’d as a Douglas plus a Douglas “B” all dated 1948 and later. There are also 2 Brigadier’s dated 1945. Additionally, the 1949 ad in bobbee’s comment from the ‘51 Brigadier shows an Ambassador with a basket weave bracelet that’s identical to the 1948 Douglas which also makes it identical to the Brigadier. If the bracelet is the distinguishing factor, my watch can be either since it doesn’t have either of the original bracelets and, currently, no bracelet at all. So, if this is not a Douglas because it’s after 1947, why isn’t it the Ambassador?

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 17, 2023 - 10:25am

I have a type-o in my last comment. The Ambassador in the ad is identical to the Douglas in the 1948 ad.

Kathy L.
Posted October 17, 2023 - 11:24am

In looking on Newspapers the only one I can find in 1953 is Brigadier, The_News_Journal_Thu__Dec_17__1953_.jpg.  Also in the 1953 price guide I only find Brigadier.  So at least for 1953 I think it is a Brigadier.

1953 ad

1953 price guide
1953  Bulova Brigadier "A"

Stinky_Sullivan
Posted October 17, 2023 - 11:30am

It’s good to see the variant designation. Based on that, it’s the Brigadier “A”. I hope this leads to the reevaluation of the two ‘53 Douglas models currently in the database.

Andersok
Posted October 17, 2023 - 4:44pm

Nice model...Brigadier "A" seems appropriate for '53