Added 26 March 2011 Finally vetted as AA "Q" on 4/15/11 with addition of evidentiary advertisements.
I agree on the photoshopping, anything can be 'forged' and it's unclear from where the ad originated.
But, then there is this:
Bought new by the current owners Father and handed down.
Interesting note on the ad shown above is a 'Curtain Dial' Ladies model is NOT named an 'ACADAMY AWARD' but 'HER EXCELLENCY'.
the sub secs has nums denoted secs, ALL other AA models have hashmarks..this has always, from what Ive read in the forums, been enough reason for at least a serious debate. There are several with the boxed in railroad track secs without nums in the DB but none boxed in and With nums. 1949 President 'E', 1948 Chief, 1948 Rite Angle, and the 1951 Treasurer are the only watches 2 years either direction that have a square railroad track with nums sec hand. This doesnt ID this watch but maybe a direction for the more knowledgeable people to go.
Hi Fifth,
I'm Sorry but this proves nothing, I saw this auction when it was listed on Ebay, just heresay of an Ebay Seller . This too I say is a post lawsuit Excellency, parked in an AA display case to fetch a higher dollar at auction. The only documented and proven AA models all have the curtain dials. As for the ad, it is far to grainy to speculate the ladies has a curtain dial.
This type of speculation only leads to more rumours and innuendo than proven fact and therefore a false belief in something unproven.
What would you, a respected collector rather have, a real, proven by published documentation Academy Award Bulova or a watch which could be but has no substantial, undeniable proof that it is an AA model. At one time you only supported the curtain dial.
As a collector, I have both, and If I were ever to sell them, I would only post the X dials as His Excellency models, nor would I make any reference to the case being used for the AA watches regardless of the fact they were used post lawsuit.
As devoted collector's and Bulova enthusiest's we owe it to ourselves to accept that which can be proven and doubt all else until it is proven.
Believe what you wish to believe but I will never be convinced until proof positive is presented and verified.
Here's what I'm assuming.... and maybe it makes me the first part of that word.... but ...
Bulova gets sued for the Academy Award and loses... they have thousands of these cases and 7AA movements left over. They ditch the curtain dials.. put in the X dial... and sell them as something NOT Academy Awards.. ie.. the Excellency...
I have one of these as well and it has the Academy Award case and the 7AA move... it seems pretty obvious that this probably happened. That ad shows more than you think when you obviously have an Academy Award women's watch even with the curtain dial having an Excellency name...
Helps tremendously admin.
The problem We have when cropping images to focus on a particular Model is the loss of any relavant information included in the original document. ie: advertisement authenticity and written descriptions.
Any Watch dated prior to the lawsuit settlement, not filing, would indeed be an authentic 'ACADEMY AWARD' as there are far too many variants listed for Crystals fitting the same Case to limit the Model name to one Dial design.
This ad shows an 'X' Dialed Watch named 'ACADAMY AWARD'.
IMO.
* shooter does bring to light a valid point about the sub seconds Dial on this particular Watch.
Ahhh, finally, the original ad !
I would really like to see this ad posted with all the others. I Agree it must be from 1950 or 51 as it also shows the Director and the Franklin?. As it stands here my old eyes are having a hard time reading the print but if the ad were posted and could be blown up to full size without any loss of resolution it would certainly put the " Academy Award N" debate into the "resolved" catagory.
Jerin is correct about Bulova using up the old case inventory with different dials under the Excellency name after the lawsuite.
On another note Jerin, 7AA movement production dates back as early as 1941. They were used in the Academy Award watches but the 7AK 21J was also used.
In reply to Ahhh, finally, the original by bourg01
AKA PRICE POINTed, or TIERED:
And the (49/50) "7AA" was clearly used in the LOWER PRICED, NON "Curtain" dial models... The 7AK was used ONLY on the (HIGHER PRICED) Silver and golden curtain releases, also likely AWARDED to the actual WINNERS of the Academy Awards, I suspect???
So send that to the "serious collectors" who were to "upity" to CRITICALLY THINK... and then "chime in" here?? (Who also likely have some more of these print+ ADS (and therefore more model IDs) I suspect??? Or are they planning on writing a book, on them????
:-) Scott
In reply to AKA PRICE POINTed, or by WatchCrystals.net
To upity to critically think? Dude... what are you talking about. Everyones having friendly debate over old ads... it's all in good form bro. I don' know that there are guys "holding out". I mean... shoot. If there could be a guy "holding out" it would be me, but everything I get... goes on here man for everyone!
Relax Francis.