Bulova 1959 Bulova 30

Submitted by mbco on September 4, 2017 - 11:07pm
Manufacture Year
1959
Movement Model
L9
Movement Jewels
30
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
D986776
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Watch Description

Hoping one of the Bulova experts could help me identify the year and model of this watch. Based on what I read I think it is a 1959 but I havent found anything that looks like this in the product literature.  

1959 Bulova watch
1959 Bulova watch
mbco
Posted September 4, 2017 - 11:13pm

Also forgot to add that back of case states L9 10KT RGP shock resistant anti magnetic

Geoff Baker
Posted September 5, 2017 - 5:52am

Hello mbco, welcome to myBulova. Bulova didn't make a lot of 30 jewel watches, the only two models I've seen are 'Commander' which I don't think was being made during this period and 'Bulova 30' which was. I don't see any advert matches, I'm leaning toward a tentative 'Bulova 30' ID

Andersok
Posted September 5, 2017 - 7:55am

The 1960 annual report mentions a new line of 30 jewel models, and 1960 is the earliest Bulova 30 ad I can find. I'd say this is one of the first year models for that line, but I cannot find a match in the ads. Bulova 30

Geoff Baker
Posted September 9, 2017 - 7:45am

Panel menbers? I have two votes for "Bulova 30"

jabs
Posted September 9, 2017 - 8:46am

Bulova 30 for me too

Reverend Rob
Posted September 9, 2017 - 10:21am

Bulova 30 works for me too. 

mybulova_admin
Posted September 10, 2017 - 1:20am

Agreed. Whilst I can find an advert for the Commander date 1960, it's a 23 Jewel version and looks a lot like the Regatta.

Ealiest adverts I can find for the Commander 30 is 1964, so based on this I'm also ging with Bulova 30.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 13, 2017 - 4:47pm

 I agree this is a Bulova 30 and a real early one; but have an interesting observation. The lug design, movement, date and face say it's a  "30" but the case body is nearly identical to the Commander F of the late 1960's, except with different lugs.

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1967-commander-8886

The 30 turned into the 30 jewel Commander, and it would appear Bulova re-used some of the design elements of the 30 in the Commander line nearly 10 years later?