Bulova 1954 Chesterfield

Submitted by andrewjpeerless on January 16, 2022 - 9:12am
Manufacture Year
1954
Movement Model
7AA
Movement Date Code
49 (A9)
Movement Jewels
21
Case Serial No.
44614
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Watch Description

Hi there, I received this watch as a gift a few years ago.  My understanding is that it had been recenty restored, but the crown popped off the first time I tried to wear it and it's been sitting in a drawer ever since.  I tried my best to follow the instructions for identifying dates, movement model, etc., but please forgive me if I missed anything obvious or got anything wrong.  Very much appreciate any help understanding what this is, when it's from, and if it has any value (and is worth repairing).  Thanks!

FRONT - January 16 2022
Case Back - January 16 2022
Movement - January 16 2022
Movement and Inside Case Back - January 16 2022
Kathy L.
Posted January 16, 2022 - 11:02am

Your watch is a Chesterfield.  A very nice looking watch!  It does look like the movement was probably replaced when the did the service with a 1949 movement (which I have added for you).  It is correct in being 21 jewels which is nice but off by five years to the case.  As far as value we don't do that but I will say that in my opinion with it being 14K I think it would be worth the cost of a repair so you can enjoy wearing it.  And with it being 14K you could sell it fairly easily I would guess.  This is from linebook 1955-1957_LineBook_BAWD0127 Page 31

linebook

linebook

1954 Bulova Chesterfield

andrewjpeerless
Posted January 16, 2022 - 11:46am

Outstanding!  Thank you so much for the quick reply and for all this information; it is very, very much appreciated!

Kathy L.
Posted January 16, 2022 - 2:53pm

In reply to by andrewjpeerless

You are very welcome and thank you for sharing your watch with us.  Here is an ad for your watch.  At $135 it was on the higher end of Bulova watches for 1954, and $1,399.19 equivalent for today but if this watch was made today it would cost much more than that!  

ad

neetstuf-4-u
Posted January 16, 2022 - 3:58pm

Well done, Kathy! I sifted through ads and the database and as close as I could come was the apparent "ladies version", being the Dolly Madison "M". I was sure I had seen an ad for this one somewhere, but began to second guess myself when I found the "Dolly" ad. Took a break and lo and behold, you found it!

Agreed, movement was likely replaced when watch was restored. It is the correct movement (except date) in a seldom encountered and style unique model with correct dial and hands, so I have no problem with the ID.

1954 Chesterfield, a first for the database

Is it worth repairing? IMHO, Absolutely.

mybulova_admin
Posted January 16, 2022 - 4:16pm

A first for the database is always exciting. Thanks for adding your amazing watch.

I agree with the above comments with regard to movement replacement and worth repairing. If it is just the crown coming out chances are it's a minor issue, but still a good opportunity to have it serviced.

1954 Bulova Chesterfield

andrewjpeerless
Posted January 16, 2022 - 5:31pm

Wow... I'm blown away by all this information and by the quick research of this group.  Thank you again for your time and for all this detail.

I appreciate the disclosure that you don't weigh in on the value of pieces such as this, and I'm wondering if you can recommend any resources of where I can get a rough idea of value.  It sounds like I should probably get this insured and so I'll need some round numbers to give to my provider.

Thanks again!

Kathy L.
Posted January 16, 2022 - 7:14pm

In reply to by andrewjpeerless

I believe jewelers will give appraisals for insurance values.  It is a good starting point.  In looking at some of those I think they come in a little high compared to the sellable value but that also depends on the watch.  Again that is why we don't do evaluations here because there are too many variables :) 

Geoff Baker
Posted January 16, 2022 - 9:11pm

Andrew - depending on where you live one of us might be able to recommend a watchmaker who could give yo an estimate to repair and performa a full service on your watch.

1954 Bulova Chesterfield

andrewjpeerless
Posted January 16, 2022 - 10:37pm

Thank you, Geoff!  I live in New York City and would appreciate any recommendations.