I've discovered that old Bulovas are like potato chips - you can't have just one! After getting a 46 Senator (or Spencer, or what-have-you), I picked up a 59 His Excellency F. Even that wasn't enough. Suddenly I found myself fascinated by the look of the late 30's American Clipper. I found one on Ebay...
No strap. And I've been plowing through Ebay, Amazon, etc. looking for a nice, 14mm strap that is NOT obviously a ladies' model. It's not easy.
So, my question is, for those of you who collect these older, smaller models, where do you find nice straps? I mean the old-fashioned, non-tapering, tan pigskin strap long enough to go around a 7" wrist?
THANKS!!!
I have them all. lol
Top to bottom:
New, Old stock WWII military surplus.
30's - 40's Pigskin.
30's - 40's Pigskin.
40's Kreisler Leather.
40's JB Champion Leather.
Bottom is a New Old Stock 1940's Bulova w signed Buckle.
All found at the same place, be diligent an 'era correct' strap finishes the Watch.
11/16 is 18mm. The military stuff is generally 16mm. He's asking about 14mm and I know exactly what he means. Hate those darn short tapered bands. I'd like to know the answer to his question myself.
Jay
The first shot was just an example of the N.O.S. stuff out there.
These are all 14mm
Both of the Black and 3 of the 4 Honey Brown straps are Pig - the remainder Leather.
There are more, lol. ....all were sourced from the same place as the OP's watch.
Try finding a 12mm, that's a challenge!
Hi
I also have an American Clipper . It took me a while to find a strap likethe one in the adds. I found a company that makes '30's and 40's vintage type Pig Skin straps similar to the ones in the adds. The price was $10. The company is International Watchman. Here are some pictures.
Tony
Hunting down NOS vintage straps used to be an easy task on Ebay but not so much now and they are getting pricey. I need too many so I use these Italian Faustina Grain leather bands I get from a supplier.
These are cheap and look good, though nothing works better to finish a collectable than NOS vintage stock.
Finally got around to placing the order (the American Clipper in the first post came back from my Watch Guy). Good stuff!!! Thanks for the recommendation! I got two of the 40's Pigskin straps, one in black and one in tan. I'll post pics later today.
BTW, I discovered that the AC is actually THIRTEEN mm, not 14, which necessitated a little bit of careful adjustment with a razor. Oh, well - at least it's SNUG!