Bulova 1965 -Unknown

Submitted by tinyelk on October 17, 2012 - 3:24pm
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
5AR
Movement Jewels
21
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
D305507
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Ladies
Watch Description

The date of 1963 is a total guess - I have no idea when this watch was made!

If I'm honest, I bought this watch from ebay because a) it is beautiful, and b) it had just been serviced and is running!

I've always liked the look of vintage watches, and so treated myself to one for my recent 25th birthday. I know nothing about it, but I would be very appreciative if anybody who does would share their knowledge!

I know that the strap doesn't match the watch, and this is part of the reason that I would love to know more about the watch itself - I want to replace the strap with something that at least looks appropriate, even if it isn't quite perfect! Although, obviously, finding the perfectly matching strap would make me squeal happily!

The attached strap says "Netovia RG" on the clasp. 

I have tried to include photographs that show the different parts of the watch , but I really don't know where to start when it comes to dating it. I've begun to look through old Bulova advertisements but haven't had any luck matching it so far - I will obviously update this if I do come across a match!

 

Unknown ladies Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
OldTicker
Posted October 18, 2012 - 11:57am

The "Ethel" appears to have a straight top & bottom crystal, where yours has a more "cushion" shape.

tinyelk
Posted October 18, 2012 - 4:01pm

Ah, yes I see what you mean. But on the Barbara, the shapes of the stones on the stickng-out edge bits seem totally wrong to me. But it could just be me need g to put my glasses on, I suppose,

bourg01
Posted October 18, 2012 - 3:31pm

I'm inclined to agree with Ticker on this one. No Date code on the case would be mid 40's with a newer movement swapped into it. I'd say it's a "Barbara" 

bobbee
Posted October 19, 2012 - 5:09am

Barbara has a "ring" round the lug and subject does not. The central "star" engraving is larger than those either side of it on the top and bottom, and the Barbara's are all the same size. Not Barbara or Ethel, as the Ethel has real diamonds.

No thoughts on those case back numbers?

tinyelk
Posted October 19, 2012 - 10:46am

Yes! I agree totally about the lugs (didn't know what they were called) - the central being bigger than those on either side on my watch is what I meant the difference between it and the Barbara was. Also the strap of the Barbara is totally different to this one http://www.mybulova.com/node/3960 which says it has an original strap. 

bobbee
Posted October 19, 2012 - 12:14pm

I shouldn't worry about the strap too much, they are often changed over the years.
Your watch certainly matches the one you linked to, though it looks nothing like the Cleopatra in the ads, as it alludes to being. I have been through the ads from 1936-1955 without finding a match apart from closely resembling the Barbara, yours is Unknown to me.

bobbee
Posted October 19, 2012 - 5:08am

Here is another ad from 1947 for the Barbara, No.48. The yellow gold "accents"are picked out in colour around the lugs. The subject has yellow gold "accents" in a "V" shape on the lugs, and little sprays at each corner.

Not the Barbara.

William Smith
Posted October 19, 2012 - 8:28pm

unknown- but a match to the linked "Cleopatra", which apparently doesn't match the Cleopatra ad.

mybulova_admin
Posted October 22, 2012 - 7:56am

Unknown for me.

Have we any other examples of a date stamp being on the movement as late as 1965?