Bulova 1953 American Clipper

Submitted by Diesel on
Manufacture Year
1953
Case Serial No.
6737557
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
25mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

The year number on the back is L3. I believe this to be a 1953 Bulova Seaford. This was my grandfather's watch. For some reason there is no lettering on the dial. I think I can see very minute remnants of where the lettering once was. My only guess is that at some point it was cleaned rather harshly and unprofessionally. Maybe you have another guess as to why the name is not on the dial. I have not yet opened the case as I don't have the knowledge or the tools. 

Watch front
Watch back
mybulova_admin
Posted March 20, 2025 - 7:19am

My initial thinking was a Watertite model, but I think I found a match for a 1953 Bulova American Clipper.

1951 Bulova American Clipper

mybulova_admin
Posted March 20, 2025 - 7:22am

Certified Waterproof =  WaterTite with stars?

Geoff Baker
Posted March 20, 2025 - 7:22am

Wow - you beat me by TWO MINUTES! Agree - 1953 Bulova American Clipper is a great match. Lugs aren't right for Seaford.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 20, 2025 - 8:56am

I looked quite a while for this one, thinking perhaps Watertite or Duo Wind (matching dials), but couldn't find a match for the lugs. I think you got it, Stephen!

1953 Bulova American Clipper

Diesel
Posted March 20, 2025 - 8:14pm

Thanks everyone! I didn't even notice the difference in the lugs. What's your best guess as to what happened to the lettering on the dial? 

Diesel
Posted March 22, 2025 - 5:21pm

Thanks, that's what I thought might have happened too. Just seems like an odd thing for somebody to do!

JimDon5822
Posted March 20, 2025 - 9:20pm

1953 Bulova American Clipper is a good match.