Guide to Vintage Bulova (and Generic) Watch Bands and Bracelets

Part II:  1950 - 1979

(Part I:  1920 - 1949)

 

I often get asked about the originality or appropriateness of a particular band or bracelet to a given watch or, similarly, for advice regarding which strap would be a "period correct" choice for a particular watch.   So, I have put together this guide to help answer those questions.  Whether you're trying to figure out whether the band that you have is the "correct" one or you're in search of the band that would fully restore your treasure to its former glory, this guide should provide the tools you need to make the right decision.

 

Understanding the correct mount for a watch is similar to identifying the correct period box--you first have to know the date of your watch, then you can use the resources here on Watchophilia to identify the accessories that would have accompanied it.  If you're not sure about the date of your watch, please check out these tutorials:  Identifying a Bulova and Dating a Bulova. 

 

While the images below may not show your exact watch, they will tell you the straps and bracelets that were popular when your watch was manufactured, and which would, therefore, be a period-correct choice now.  I have never accepted the idea that a watch only had one strap possibility, namely, the one shown in the vintage advertisement.  I believe that advertisers--be they Bulova or a retailer--decided which strap looked best on the watch for the advertisement campaign, but that strap was likely not the only option available at the point of sale.  For example, there will always be people who prefer a leather or cloth strap over a metal bracelet.  Why then would any watch seller offer only one of those possibilities to everyone?   My goal here is not to identify every watch and the strap that went with it, but rather to present you with options, any one of which would be appropriate based on the age of your watch.

 

An important point to note as you review the ads below is the progression of styles through each decade.  To keep things simple, I have organized the images into sections by decade.  However, in reality, band and bracelet styles did not change quite so precisely or regularly.  Instead, they tended to evolve as the decade progressed, with styles earlier in the decade often being quite different from those that came later in that same decade.   This is another reason why it is very important to know the date of your watch, so that you can then study the bands and bracelets that were propular in the years closely surrounding the date of your watch.

 

In the examples below I have not attempted to show every band or bracelet that was available every year.  Rather, I captured what I believe to be at least one good example of every general type of band or bracelet shown in the available vintage Bulova advertisements for the stated decade.  The year listed below the advertisement is the publication date of the advertisement and is not intended to represent the only year that the depicted band or strap was used.  Similary, the watch in the ad is not intended to suggest that only that watch used that strap.  In general, this article is intended to be a style guide, rather than a comprehensive catalog of every strap used by Bulova on every watch.

 

It should also be noted that the styles and trends described at the beginning of each decade section pertain only to Bulova watches, and, even more specifically, only to the vintage Bulova watches for which we have advertisements.  Where general catalog advertisements for a decade are available I have included those following the Bulova information to provide additional information about other types and styles of bands and bracelets that were used by other watchmakers.  This generic material is quite interesting in regard to when specific styles were available, even if not chosen for use by Bulova at that time.

 

As with all my articles, the information contained here will be regularly reviewed and updated as new information is discovered.  If you don't find what you're looking for now, feel free to contact me via the contact page, post in the forums, and/or check back often to see what's new.  I have intentionally not included fobs or military straps in this article.  At a later date I may supplement with those or address them in separate articles.

 

Vintage Ads Demonstrating Period Bulova and Generic Bands and Bracelets

I often get asked about the originality or appropriateness of a particular band or bracelet to a given watch or, similarly, for advice regarding which strap would be "period correct" for a particular watch.   So, I have put together this guide to help answer those questions.  Whether you're trying to figure out whether the band that you have is the "correct" one or you're in search of the band that would fully restore your treasure to its original glory, this guide should provide the tools you need to make an informed decision.

 

Understanding the correct mount for a watch is similar to identifying the correct period box--you first have to know the date of your watch, then you can use the resources here on Watchophilia to identify the accessories that would have accompanied it.  If you're not sure about the date of your watch, please check out these tutorials:  Identifying a Bulova and Dating a Bulova. 

 

While the images below may not show your exact watch, they will tell you the straps and bracelets that were popular when your watch was manufactured, and which would, therefore, be a period-correct choice now.  I have never accepted the idea that a watch only had one strap possibility, namely, the one shown in the vintage advertisement.  I believe that advertisers--be they Bulova or a retailer--decided which strap looked best on the watch for the advertisement campaign, but that strap was likely not the only option available at the point of sale.  For example, there will always be people who prefer a leather or cloth strap over a metal bracelet.  Why then would any watch seller offer only one of those possibilities to everyone?   My goal here is not to identify every watch and the strap that went with it, but rather to present you with options, any one of which would be appropriate based on the age of your watch.

 

An important point to note as you review the ads below is the progression of styles through each decade.  To keep things simple, I have organized the images into sections by decade.  However, in reality, band and bracelet styles did not change quite so precisely or regularly.  Instead, they tended to evolve as the decade progressed, with styles earlier in the decade often being quite different from those that came later in that same decade.   This is another reason why it is very important to know the date of your watch, so that you can then study the bands and bracelets that were propular in the years closely surrounding the date of your watch.

 

In the examples below I have not attempted to show every band or bracelet that was available every year.  Rather, I captured what I believe to be at least one good example of every general type of band or bracelet shown in the available vintage Bulova advertisements for the stated decade.  The year listed below the advertisement is the publication date of the advertisement and is not intended to represent the only year that the depicted band or strap was used.  Similary, the watch in the ad is not intended to suggest that only that watch used that strap.  In general, this article is intended to be a style guide, rather than a comprehensive catalog of every strap used by Bulova on every watch.

 

It should also be noted that the styles and trends described at the beginning of each decade section pertain only to Bulova watches, and, even more specifically, only to the vintage Bulova watches for which we have advertisements.  Where general catalog advertisements for a decade are available I have included those following the Bulova information to provide additional information about other types and styles of bands and bracelets that were used by other watchmakers.  This generic material is quite interesting in regard to when specific styles were available, even if not chosen for use by Bulova at that time.

 

As with all my articles, the information contained here will be regularly reviewed and updated as new information is discovered.  If you don't find what you're looking for now, feel free to contact me via the contact page, post in the forums, and/or check back often to see what's new.  I have intentionally not included fobs or military straps in this article.  At a later date I may supplement with those or address them in separate articles.

 

Vintage Ads Demonstrating Period Bulova and Generic Bands and Bracelets

 

1950 - 1959

 

 

1950s Bulova Men's Styles - "Ever Expanding"

Expansion bands are all the rage, some with hide inlays and trim; many creative styles

 
Early part of decade:
  • Expansion bracelets are the favored style
  • New open link expansion bracelet
  • Leather still favored in light tan and gray with top stitching, with and without padding
  • Alligator becomes a popular leather choice
Later part of decade:
  • Expansion bands combine with leather trim and inlays
  • Leather straps offered with more refined features, including non-contrasting top stitching, no top stitchng, padding, and a variety of exotic hides
  • Black suede leather straps are introduced on men's dress models

 

Examples from Vintage Advertisements

 

1950s - Assorted Bulova-branded expansion bands

 

1950 - Assorted expansion bands and leather straps

 

1951 - Open link expansion band

 

1951 - Variety of expansion bands and dark leather with non-contrasting topstitching

 

1953 - Variety of expansion bracelets

 

1955 - Tan leather on men's and ladies' models

 

1955 - Modern stainless steel expansion bracelet

 

1955 - "Luxury expansion bands" with leather inserts on rigid section, joined to expansion sections

 

1958 - Semi-basket weave expansion band

 

1958 - Leather and gold expansion band

 

1959 - Black suede strap

 

1959 - Brown (left) and gray (right) leather straps

 

1959 - Combination mesh expansion band

 

1959 - Gold expansion band with leather inserts

 

1959 - Leather and gold plate combination expansion bands

 

1959 - Alligator strap

 

1952 - Assorted Hadley brand expansion bands

 

 

The following images are from the 1951 Swartchild Company Catalog (watchmaker and jeweler supplies) showing men's watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

The following images are from the 1958 Becken Company Catalog (jewelry, watches, and gifts) showing men's watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

1950s Bulova Ladies' Styles - "Bangles, Snakes, and Winged Jets"

 
Early part of decade:

  • Continued use of black silk cord

  • Introduction of snake chain bracelet

  • Introduction of "telescope" expansion band

  • Continued use of "full" expansion band

  • Leather used on more casual styles

 
Later part of decade:

  • link bracelets make a comeback with new styles, such as the "half moon", "winged jet", and "tulip leaf"

  • telescope style expansion bracelets bands are the predominant style

  • black silk cords remain a popular choice dress choice

  • leather and full expansion bands still used for larger, more casual models

  • introduction of the diamond watch bracelet

 

Examples from Vintage Advertisements

 

1950 - Rare example of leather on a ladies model in the early 1950s

 

1950 - New bangle style characteristic of the American Girl series

 

1950 - Double-strand metal cord bracelet

 

1950 - New snake chain bracelet

 

1950 - New telescope expansion bracelet

 

1951 - Assorted expansion and silk cord bracelets

 

1952 - Diamond pattern expansion bracelet

 

1953 - Assorted styles, including expansion, silk cord, and bangle bracelets

 

1955 - Tan leather strap

 

1955 - Ladies leather and expansion bands

 

1957 - Assorted bangle styles - American Girl models only

 

1959 - Diamond studded bracelet

 

1959 - Double rows of flexible links

 

1959 - "Half Moon" and "Winged Jet" style linked bracelets

 

 

 

The following images are from the 1951 Swartchild Company Catalog (watchmaker and jeweler supplies) showing ladies' watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

The following images are from the 1958 Becken Company Catalog (jewelry, watches, and gifts) showing ladies' watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

 

1960 - 1969

1960s Bulova Men's Styles - "Period of Adjustment"
Early part of decade:

  • Continuation of the styles of the 1950s, including a wide variety of expansion band styles and various leathers

  • Introduction of the adjustable link metal bracelet
Later part of decade:
  • Popularity of the adjustable link metal bracelet grows

 

Examples from Vintage Advertisements

 

1960 - Alligator strap

 

1960 - Elegant expansion band

 

1960 - Expansion band curved to fit bezel

 

1960 - Leather and expansion bands

 

1960 - Leather inlays

 

1961 - Single line of watches (Sea King) uses many different styles, including expansion bands, leather straps, and flexible mesh bracelet

 

1962 - Mix of expansion bands and leather straps of different styles

 

1963 - Flexible metal link in famous "coffin" design

 

1964 - Expansion bands in a wide array of styles

 

1967 - Luxurious leathers

 

1969 - Two-tone flexible metal link with deployment buckle

 

 

The following images are from the 1968 North American Dealer's Catalog showing men's watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

1960s Bulova Ladies' Styles - "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
Early part of decade:
  • Black silk cord bracelet still in style
  • Bangle style still used on American Girl series
  • Expansion bands remain a favorite
  • Leather and metal with leather inlays mirror the men's styles
  • Safety chains gain popularity on many styles
Later part of decade:
  • no significant change

 

Examples from Vintage Advertisements

 

1960 - American Girl bangle

 

1960 - Black silk cord

 

1960 - Expansion band

 

1960 - Expansion band

 

1960 - Telescope style expansion bracelets

 

1960 - Leather inlays

 

1960 - Leather strap on more casual styles

 

1967 - Expansion bands and black silk cords popular throughout decade

 

1968 - The enduring and adaptable black silk cord

 

 

 

The following images are from the 1968 North American Dealer's Catalog showing ladies' watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

 

 

1970 - 1979

1970s Men's Styles - "Colorful Corfam"
Early part of decade:
  • Large-link flexible metal bracelets with adjustable deployment buckles are very much in vogue
  • Combination flexible link and expansions bracelets
  • Metal bracelets sometimes "integrated" with watch case for a one-piece look
  • Corfam straps in a variety of colors and styles, including colored, two-tone, and leather patterns
  • Colored straps that match colored dials
  • Leather in various styles and colors remains a popular choice

 
Later part of decade:
  • Flexible link bracelets with adjustable deployment buckles take center stage in the digital arena

 

Examples from Vintage Advertisements

 

1970 - Flexible link with adjustable deployment buckle

 

1970 - Assortment of colord leathers and metal flexible link bracelets

 

1970 - Blue leather/corfam band with air holes matches blue dial

 

1971 - Flexible link mesh bracelet with adjustable deployment buckle

 

1971 - Assortment of leather straps and metal link bracelets

 

1972 - Assortment of flexble metal link and leather straps with and without top stitching

 

1972 - Two-tone blue corfram buckle strap

 

1972 - Semi-expansion bracelet with corfam inlays

 

1972 - Alligator grained corfam strap

 

1972 - Flexible metal link half-expansion bracelet

 

1972 - Intregral metal band

 

1974 - Flexible link bracelets, intregral bands, and leather in various colors

 

1976 - Digital watches using intregral bands, flexible metal link bracelets, and leather/corfam straps

 

1978 - Flexible metal links with adjustable deployment buckles in a variety of metal colors

 

The following images are from the 1978 Marshall-Swartchild Catalog showing men's watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time

 

 

1970s Bulova Ladies' Styles - "Something for Everyone"
Early part of decade:
  • Black silk cords remain a popular choice
  • Expansion bands continue to be used throughout the decade
  • Flexible metal links in a variety of styles, including mesh designs
  • Leather and corfam in colors to match the dial
  • Straps integrated with watch case

 
Later part of decade:
  • Flexible link bracelets with adjustable deployment buckles take center stage in the digital arena

 

Examples from Vintage Advertisements

1970 - Black silk cord

 

1972 - Expansion band, black velvet strap, metal mesh, flexible mesh with red plaque inlays, integrated link bracelet with brown inlays

 

1972 - Mesh bracelet, mesh bracelet with cross-hatch pattern, black silk cord

 

1972 - Expansion bracelets

 

1972 - Flexible metal link, combination strap with corfam inlays, and leather

 

1973 - Flexible metal link straps integrated with case

 

1978 - Flexible metal link band and leather

 

The following images are from the 1978 Marshall-Swartchild Catalog showing ladies' watch bands and bracelets available for purchase at that time