Bulova 1939 American Clipper

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on July 22, 2018 - 3:56pm
D
Manufacture Year
1939
Movement Model
10AE
Movement Date Code
Shield
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
9046331
Case shape
Stepped
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
High Domed End to End
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Reasearch leads me to believe this is a 1939 American Clipper "A". Yellow gold on original bracelet and shows no signs of wear. Case and band are as reflective as a mirror with no scratches, brassing or scuffs. Crystal is perfect. Dial is a bit chalky in appearance, likely from a poorly orchestrated cleaning.

Movement bears both a shield for 1939 and a crescent moon for 1938.

Online auction purchase - it was initially listed as a women's watch (nobody was watching) - $25 including shipping. Inside of back has a jeweler's mark (sharpie pen) indicating the last service was in 2005. Keeps perfect time.

1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
1939 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch advert
Kathy L.
Posted July 22, 2018 - 4:01pm

Oh what a wonderful find!  I have seen a few of mens watches listed as womens.  

1939 Bulova American Clipper.

jabs
Posted July 22, 2018 - 4:15pm

1939 Bulova American Clipper with original bracelet for this price, that's awesome

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 24, 2018 - 11:38am

Here is my thinking on AC "A".

It is advertised as "Bracelet" or "Pigskin" band. Pigskin is seen identified as AC "B"

Black Face on bracelet is an AC "C"

Yellow gold with white face on bracelet with engraved case and bracelet is an AC "F".

This ad from 1936 lists pigskin band on yellow gold or mounted on bracelet in either yellow or white. I'm not prepaired to go here yet, but suspect bracelet version in white gold was either the missing "D" or "E" variant and perhaps the other is black face on pigskin or in white gold.

I would hesitate to assign either "A" or "B" to an American Clipper without a verified original band, but subject watch has it. American Clipper "A" for me.

 

Geoff Baker
Posted July 24, 2018 - 6:33am

I agree it's an American Clipper,  I think it has an original bracelet but I don't see it advertised as an "A" anywhere in this configuration.

1939 Bulova American Clipper

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 24, 2018 - 6:49am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I went by process of elimination for the variant letter. Earliest ad shows three variants based on band and gold color. The pigskin in yellow gold is later identified as "B".  No further mention in ads of bracelet model in white gold. "C" is black face on bracelet in yellow gold; leaving "A" as bracelet/yellow gold/white face.

Geoff Baker
Posted July 25, 2018 - 6:03am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Your reasoning make sense, I prefer to go by the ads. I'd rather not speculate on variants.

Reverend Rob
Posted July 24, 2018 - 11:30am

I'm thinking American Clipper 'A' also.

mybulova_admin
Posted July 28, 2018 - 1:14am

Very nice with original band too. One thing about the American Clippers I've noted over the years, is that the dials always look beat up. Very hard to find an example with a decent dial.

Kathy L.
Posted June 1, 2019 - 3:14pm

Just reading through this post and realized there isn't actually an ad for "A".  Here is an ad for "D" which appears to match this watch.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted June 1, 2019 - 6:14pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Well done Kathy. Can't argue with the ad; looks like you've confirmed the variant and I stand corrected. 

 AC "D" it is.