Bulova 1954 Clipper

Submitted by 1955mercury on
Manufacture Year
1954
Movement Model
9ARC
Movement Date Code
L4
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
5734576
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This one is not mine. I'm posting it with the owners permission. It has a movement that I don't recall seeing before. Wanted to get the panels opinion on it..

Front
Dial
Movement 1
Movement 2
Case Back
JimDon5822
Posted March 7, 2024 - 10:09pm

Wow!  I don't think I have ever seen or heard of a 9ARC movement.  Definitely a new one for the movement list.  Matches the line book for a 1954 Bulova Clipper.

Clipper

Clipper

plainsmen
Posted March 7, 2024 - 10:43pm

The Clipper!

Andersok
Posted March 8, 2024 - 5:22am

The 9ARC shares some parts with other similar early selfwinding movements, like the 8BBA, 10CSC

Clipper model

1955mercury
Posted March 8, 2024 - 8:18am

Apparently not all of the Clippers used this movement. But since posting this I've seen it in another 1955 Bulova "Clipper" and a parts movement with the Clipper dial and a date code of "L8". So Bulova used it for at least these 3 years in Clipper models along with the 10CSC movements. In the models that had the 9ARC movements, Bulova used a spacer ring (Bulova part # MR313). Also found that the balance assembly used in the 9ARC movements is interchangeable with Bulova 9AR-8BBA-10CSC movements. Wonder why they used two different movements in the same model watch. 

JimDon5822
Posted March 8, 2024 - 9:07am

Most likely inventory management.  It is what they had available at the time the watch was assembled.   As long as it met the jewel count, adjustments, and winding mechanism as advertised no consumer would know the difference. 

Kathy L.
Posted March 8, 2024 - 11:34am

1954 Bulova Clipper looks like a match.  Nice catch on the new movement for the database.  

Geoff Baker
Posted March 8, 2024 - 8:54pm

1954 Bulova Clipper

neetstuf-4-u
Posted March 10, 2024 - 5:59pm

1954 Bulova Clipper