Bulova 1971 Buckingham

Submitted by Reverend Rob on April 9, 2013 - 3:08pm
Manufacture Year
1971
Movement Model
16AC
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
2634393
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Here's an interesting newer Bulova Pocket Watch, dated N0, or 1970, but with the movt dated N1. The movt itself is a 17j  16AC, which is the venerable Unitas and later ETA 6497. It has shock protection, and is an excellent example of a modern quality movt in a pocket watch. The same ebauche was used by Panerai until recently, and you will find it in large size wristwatches by various manufacturers. 

The plates are Gold ep. 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
bobbee
Posted April 9, 2013 - 3:30pm

N or M, Rob? N0 is 1970.

Reverend Rob
Posted April 9, 2013 - 6:47pm

My bad. 1970, I'll go back and correct that. 

OldTicker
Posted April 10, 2013 - 8:52pm

I couldn't find anything in the newspaper ads...Bulova Pocket watch for now...Still love these no matter how new they are, nothing like the feel of a heavy solid pocket watch in your hand.

Nice one Rob!

mybulova_admin
Posted April 11, 2013 - 8:40am

Agree, I've not seen any adverts thus far from the 70s showing pocket watches. Could be.

Can you please provide another picture of the N0 date code. The inside back case markings look earlier than 1970.

Reverend Rob
Posted April 11, 2013 - 6:20pm

I think I trashed the originals after I uploaded them, but if you look closely at the "New York" on the inside case back, you will see the letters "N0" directly under them. The stamp "N1" is just to the right of the ratchet wheel in the movt pic. I'll see if I can grab some more pics meantime. 

William Smith
Posted April 11, 2013 - 7:14pm

unknown pocket watch. haven't seen ads this recent

Geoff Baker
Posted April 12, 2013 - 5:15am

Unknown. Didn't realize our friends were making pocket watches this late.

bobbee
Posted April 12, 2013 - 6:19am

There are Accutron PW's too.

Reverend Rob
Posted April 12, 2013 - 5:18pm

I serviced this watch today, and managed to finesse a Delta of 2-5 seconds in five positions. BWAHAHAHA. I love the 6497. I had one we serviced at school and we had it running within ten seconds a week. Of course, we had some time on our hands. 

Interestingly, although the watch looks fairly pristine, upon close inspection it shows some considerable wear on the case and crown, but has obviously been kept serviced. I consider the watches from the 70's on to be fairly new, but I keep forgetting that they are 40 years old. I regularly get customers' watches that are less than ten years old that are completely trashed, inside and out. There is much to be said for the quality of the past, you have to buy a higher end watch now to get it. 

Bully for Bulova!

William Smith
Posted April 14, 2013 - 4:27pm

1972 Buckingham ad snippet from the main ad database.  Click for the full catalog page.