Bulova 1959 SVP

Submitted by artchenemy on
VI
Manufacture Year
1959
Movement Model
11AF
Movement Date Code
L9
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
E021260
Case shape
Square
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
NOS crystal 24.0 x 22.8 (package is labeled "G-S CMW 445 BULOVA 231 S.V.P. VI”)
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Any details inscribed on the inside back case: “BULOVA 5TH AVE NEW YORK”

Strap: New aftermarket

New crown, winding stem and crystal (see "Crystal details” below)

I believe this watch is a 1959 S.V.P.

FRONT
BACK
SIDE
JimDon5822
Posted September 11, 2025 - 10:00pm

Thank you for posting your watch.   We found an ad match to this showing this is a 1959 Bulova SVP.    Unfortunately we do not have a a variant for this dial and case configuration.  This does not match any of the variants I-VI so it is a generic SVP.

SVP

mart1n888
Posted September 11, 2025 - 10:36pm

hi Jim, as i speak french, S.V.P. mean " s'il vous plait " or ' PLEASE ' in english. i just ask what can mean s.v.p in english ???

artchenemy
Posted September 12, 2025 - 11:59am

Hey Jim, thanks for your comments. So are you saying Bulova introduced this generic S.V.P. model in 1959 and then subsequently rolled out the variants I-VI in the following decade?

Geoff Baker
Posted September 11, 2025 - 10:58pm

1959 Bulova SVP is a good match

neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 12, 2025 - 9:21am

welcome to mybulova and thanks for sharing.  I will agree, your watch is a 

1959 Bulova S.V.P.

artchenemy
Posted September 12, 2025 - 11:16am

Hey Jim, thanks for your comments. So are you saying Bulova introduced this generic S.V.P. model in 1959 and then subsequently rolled out the variants I-VI in the following decade?

JimDon5822
Posted September 12, 2025 - 3:55pm

Unfortunately, we really don't know.  I was able to find the one ad showing the even hour marker dial configuration and case from 1959.   None of the Bulova linebooks confirms a variant number or letter for this specific configuration so we just default to the non-variant designation.  It is possible there was a variant VII or it is just the first run had this dial configuration then they changed to full hour markers.    With Bulova sometimes it is a riddle wrapped in an enigma. 

artchenemy
Posted September 12, 2025 - 4:26pm

Strange how a year into this new “generic” model with its new 11AF movement Bulova changes the dial markers and introduces I-VI variants without continuing that original (presumed) configuration - truly an enigma.