Bulova 1973 President

Submitted by neetstuf-4-u on February 22, 2017 - 4:06pm
Manufacture Year
1973
Movement Model
11AOACB
Movement Jewels
23
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
F398820
Case shape
Oval
Case color
Yellow
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

New Old Stock 1973 President  with String tag and booklet in original clam shell and cardboard box. Watch is in pristine condition with what appears  by string tag notation to be the original Dutchess band. Case is like a mirror. Sorry, no movement photo; watch has never been opened and I'm not going to put the first mark on it. Case back dated N3. On a scale of 1-10, this baby is an 11.

1973 Bulova President watch
1973 Bulova watch
1973 Bulova watch
1973 Bulova watch
1973 Bulova watch
Reverend Rob
Posted February 23, 2017 - 12:03am

I have not seen a bracelet like that before, very nice!

President E from the ad looks like a match except for the band. Personally, I like this version much better. 

This is my usual cautionary spiel:

NOS watches are dried out, they must be serviced if you intend to run them. I ruined one in a few months because I did not know this, it was before I became a watchmaker. This beauty is well worth it, and make sure the person doing the CTR is a qualified watchmaker and is not simply going to oil the watch, that does not work, either. The dried up residue from the old oil is abrasive and must be removed, so the only thing for it is the complete disassembly and cleaning, holes pegged and all, with re-assembly and modern lubricants. Demag and regulation/adjustments. 

 

Andersok
Posted February 23, 2017 - 9:23am

The President 'E' from the 70s ads shows a price of $75 and came with a maroon corfam strap. I also note the reference number is 12004-8Y.

Subject watch looks to be identical, except for the band. The ref number on the tag is also different - 12014Y and was priced at $110.

I don't know if this difference in band would change the watch to a different variant than 'E'. I think it is definately a President model, but not certain of the variant.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 29, 2017 - 7:15am

In reply to by Andersok

Thanks Andersok, agreed. I pondered that myself. Tag also states "bracelet", which would imply a metal instead of a synthetic strap. Price difference would suggest an "upgrade"  to a better band? It may very well be a different letter variant based on band. Only ad I could find was the 1972 in database. Good call. I looked at the 1972 reference you linked and that drawing shows a whale on the face and mine doesn't. Do you think that's a production year thing, artistic license in ad or a variant?

Reverend Rob
Posted February 23, 2017 - 10:56am

I'd have to go with President, no variant, based on the band and reference difference, at least until we come across an ad or further info. 

jabs
Posted February 24, 2017 - 4:47am

Agree with President no variant

Geoff Baker
Posted February 24, 2017 - 6:27am

I love this watch, I WANT this watch. I have several NOS President of this era and think they're one of the best designs Bulova had in the 70's. What I find fascinating is that it doesn't have "President" on the hang tag. This date is closing in on the time Bulova jus plain stopped naming watches, I wonder why they eliminated the designation on this beauty?

The bracelet shoots it right over the top. No doubt it's a President and one of the nicest I've seen. I also feel that the "E" variant not be used on this one for the reasons stated above.

Please box it and send it to me as soon as possible, MR NOS want it!

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 24, 2017 - 7:02am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

 Thanks Geoff, would love to accommodate you but.......it's mine! Mine! MINE! ALL MINE! (remember Daffy Duck inside the clamshell hugging the pearl?) Every once in a while you find one that stops you dead in your tracks, this was one of those for me. Watch was handed to me, I opened the clamshell , was literally rendered speechless and almost broke into a happy dance, but controlled myself. This is one of my favorite style designs from the 70's;  I also have a Benrus  "knock-off" of this watch in NOS condition. It  kills me that I can't wear them.......stupid string tags.....

gmmy775
Posted March 30, 2020 - 4:16am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Where do you find these?!?  Some kind of voodoo.  Of course I would like to buy it

plainsmen
Posted May 19, 2017 - 8:16pm

THAT.. is fantastic!