Bulova 1954 Tuxedo

Submitted by robyardumian on April 11, 2021 - 5:13pm
Manufacture Year
1954
Case Serial No.
7476199
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I've searched your database and Google and can't find an exact match for this watch that belonged to my grandpa. Seems to have been made in 1954, but may be an unknown model. Any help you can give would be appreciated. Thanks.

Face of 1954 Bulova mens watch
Back of 1954 Bulova mens watch
Kathy L.
Posted April 12, 2021 - 10:37am

Hello robyardumian,  Thank you for sharing your heirloom watch with us.  It is a wonderful keepsake to have from your grandfather.  

Does the watch have L4 on the back of the case?  Is there any chance you could take a clear photo of the text on the back of the watch for us?  

robyardumian
Posted April 12, 2021 - 3:49pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, it does have L4 on the back, as well as 14K gold. I was able to get a better shot of the back.Clearer shot of the back.

JimDon5822
Posted April 12, 2021 - 2:10pm

Also can you confirm if this states on the back it is 14KT Gold?   It appears to be the Bulova Tuxedo but if it is not gold it might be another model name. Found in the 1955-1957 Linebook BAWD0127

TuxedoTuxedo

robyardumian
Posted April 12, 2021 - 3:50pm

In reply to by JimDon5822

Yes, "14K Gold" on the back, as well as L4. See above pic. The Tuxedo definitely looks very similar, but slightly different second hand dial. Is that something that might have changed from 1954 to 1955 maybe?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 13, 2021 - 11:37am

Tuxedo looks to be a match to me

 

mybulova_admin
Posted April 14, 2021 - 7:22am

Dial looks super clean, so may have been redone at some point in the past, thus explaining the variation in the second hand markings. Otherwise I don't think it's an issue with the ID. 

It's also good to confirm that the Tuxedo came with a leather strap version, as previously we thought that it had to have a matching gold bracelet in order to qualify as a Tuxedo model.

1954 Bulova Tuxedo it is.

robyardumian
Posted April 14, 2021 - 12:35pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thank you, everyone, for your comments on my watch. It's great to get an ID on it. A little background: I doubt the dial would have been redone at any point. My grandpa was a farmer in CA his whole life, after emigrating from Armenia in 1915. He would have bought this quite late in life in 1954, and he died ten years later, just after I was born. My guess is that he probably didn't wear the watch very much, but owned it as a point of pride for a life of good work. It was passed on to my dad, who gave it to me sometime in the 90s. I don't believe my dad wore it at all, and I've kept it for special occasions only. I've probably worn it less than five times. So my guess is the dial is clean from very gentle use over the years. 

It's nice to get the ID and know what it is, and I'll happily keep it in the family for many years to come. Still works like a charm! Thanks again.

Kathy L.
Posted April 14, 2021 - 10:35am

Thank you for adding the photo to confirm the L4 and 14k.  It is a beautiful watch.

1954 Bulova Tuxedo

Geoff Baker
Posted April 14, 2021 - 9:51pm

Cool keepsake - congrats. Remember to have it professionally serviced every couple years if you're going to be wearing it. 1954 Bulova Tuxedo