Bulova 1979 Super Seville Day-Date

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on December 8, 2017 - 8:09pm
Manufacture Year
1979
Movement Model
1373.50
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
5-989307 (or) 4410301
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I am not quite sure what to make of this one. It appears to be a 1979 Super Seville Day - Date. Movement and inside of case back are both marked "N9". When I got it, the top band end (12 o'clock) was missing and it was replaced with one that is close in appearance. Bezel, bezel ring and band are yellow gold plate - face is silver with gold hands and indices.

Inside of case back is stamped "Bulova N9 Base Metal Bezel 12006 Stainless Steel Back"

Rotor is stamped: "Bulova 1373.50 Seventeen 17 Jewels Swis N9"

Case back has 3D Bulova woman logo in center, which would be European market?

Two numbers on back : 5-989307 and 4410301

Screw down crown that quick sets both day and date on first click out. Both day and date cycle with an instant "snap" at exactly midnight.  Hand and auto wind.

I find very little info on this model, besides the theory it's a Bulova "tribute" to Rolex and most sites seem to guess - date these as 1980's and 1990's, but this one is clearly a 1979. It's quite a handsome watch and keeps excellent time. Gold plating is of good quality on both the bezel and original band.

My initial thought was not to post it; thinking it was newer than 1980. After I opened it up and noted it was double dated 1979, I figured I would share it.

 

1979 Bulova watch
1979 Bulova watch
1979 Bulova watch
1979 Bulova watch
1979 Bulova watch
mybulova_admin
Posted December 8, 2017 - 10:00pm

Wow, very nice. I can certainly see the connection/tribute to Rolex in the disign of this watch.

I'd be happy to ID this as a 1979 Bulova Super Seville Day-Date

It's also nice to see the variations in this model. Here's the 'Calendar' model with just the date window.

Bulova Super Seville 'Calendar' watch

I'm also now seeing this watch in a totally different light...I want one!!!

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 9, 2017 - 8:06am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thanks Stephen,

In my initial description, I called the face silver; it's actually what would probably be considered "pale champagne". I have run across a few eBay listings, and there seems to be a few variaions regarding bezel, case and face color of this Day-Date model. I wonder if perhaps the number "12006" on the inside of the back cover might be the model number?

Reverend Rob
Posted December 8, 2017 - 11:40pm

This is the ubiquitous ETA 2834. The 2834 and 2836 are both based on the ETA 2824. (Height is different due to date functions, etc) The movts are still available as are parts. 

It does resemble the Rolex Day-Date , but many manufacturers did a version like this, Titoni, Rado, Sandoz, etc.

A very sturdy and reliable model, very much undervalued, IMHO.

Super Seville 1979 gets my vote.

jabs
Posted December 9, 2017 - 4:51am

Agree 1979 Bulova Super Seville Day-Date it is

Geoff Baker
Posted December 9, 2017 - 7:44am

I see sooooo many of these on the bay, someday I'm probably going break down and buy one. Not cheap, they generally command a steep price. 

Super Seville it is.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 10, 2017 - 5:54am

Shouldn't this be Calendar instead of Day Date?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 10, 2017 - 6:14am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I think the distinction was made between Calendar and Day - Date by the text on the dial; "calendar" marked dial variant displaying date only.

Endriu1981
Posted January 9, 2018 - 12:33pm

I have one too but in, almost, "nos" conditions, I'm really satisfied!

I still have to understand the production date, and I'm looking for his advertising or catalog just to find out his original box, I would like to recreate a full set watch!

CPT.NKT
Posted February 16, 2019 - 3:30pm

Hello do hope everyone is perfect. Though to share with you few info about this very beautiful watch. I own 3. One with a Blue dial, one two tone gold and one all silver. The first 2 watches belonged to my parents, it was a present from my Grandad for their 10 year anniversary . I have the box and papers only for the Blue one. 

Correctly the codes on the mechanism shows the year of manufacture. Unfortunately this is a discontinued watch, I guess has to do with sales back then. I guess in an era that Rolex was taking over the market, poor Super Seville couldn’t stand this competition. Both my parents watches are operating excellent with a service every 3-4 years( even though not needed) and they are super accurate . +/- 5 secs a day . 

I restored earlier this year the all silver one. Initially I purchase it for parts, but getting in hands with it I loved it. I was able to locate parts very easily, specially for the mechanism ( ETA 2834 is a true work horse ) . The difference in jewels has to do with the evolution of the ETA which later models the P5..+ equipped with. 

Even crowns are available with a tap size of 0,5mm . I placed a new o ring on the case cover, and the watch amazingly passed the water test, even though I don’t use it beyond the point of washing hands etc. 

Searching arround few vintage watch dealers they all stated the same. This is a little rare to find due to limited production since it’s discontinued by Bulova, and Definetely will rise up in value at some point....

cheers .