Bulova 1966 Centennial

Submitted by Fairfaxwatchhunter on October 1, 2017 - 8:04pm
Manufacture Year
1966
Movement Model
UNKNOWN
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
G716562
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

NOS watch with tag reading "Centennial 13221 YEL. 17J BRAC. $35.95" - Blue leathertte case with gold lettering and trim. Off-white box with "BULOVA" in gold lettering inside a double-lined outline in the shape of a vintage TV screen. Resembles a Date-King without the date feature.

1966 Bulova Centennial watch
1966 Bulova watch
1966 Bulova watch
1966 Bulova watch
Andersok
Posted October 2, 2017 - 8:05am

The pricelists from 1964 (we currently have none after that date) show the model number 13221 as the Drake B model, also at $35.95. The Centennial model is not in this pricelist. It would appear that by 1966 the watch possibly changed to the Centennial, which is not uncommon.

Can you confirm the datecode on the backside is M3 or M6?

Here are some photos of an unconfirmed Drake B model 13221 from 1963, with a RGP back instead of stainless:

Photos archived from an online sale some time ago.

Fairfaxwatchhunter
Posted October 3, 2017 - 12:47pm

In reply to by Andersok

Oops, the date code is indeed M3 which I now assume is 1963 (same date formet as Accutron?).

I can post a pic of the watch and tag together if you can point me to a method to do that.

I had assumed 1966 based on an FTC document where the 13221 Centennial was mentioned in reference to a "gentleman" in DC who had a habit of marking his watches up 700% from wholesale, then financing the balance to unsuspecting DC residents and filing collection actions against those who failed to keep up with the payments. I believe the company name was "New York Jewelers" or similar.

So perhaps the name change from Drake B to Centennial occurred in 1963?

 

 

Andersok
Posted October 4, 2017 - 7:40am

In reply to by Fairfaxwatchhunter

Thank you for confirming the date code as M3. Yes, this changes the date of the watch to 1963; unless the movement inside is dated differently. 

I am not sure how to proceed with this ID, since the 'Centennial' model name is not in the 1964 or any of the other earlier pricelists we have. The 13221 model number is assigned to the Drake B for 1964, but clearly it was also tagged to the Centennial. Since the next oldest pricelist we have is 1961, and we are missing the 62 and 63 lists, then perhaps the Centennial and Drake were sold at the same time in 63. I have seen in the pricelists were Bulova used the same model number with different model names, so this is a possibility to consider. The other difference is that your model has the stainless back instead of gold plated.

Perhaps Centennial was a short lived model in the early 60s, or possibly omitted from the pricelist by accident. Bulova's Centennial year was in 1975.

Geoff Baker
Posted October 3, 2017 - 6:04am

Hello Fairfaxwatchhunter, welcome to myBulova, I like your watch. I'm inclined to agree that the model name is 'Centennial' (and that 13221 is the part or reference number). There is always a slight bit of doubt that the watch, clam shell display and hang tag all belong together but with your watch I'd say they do.  If possible, can you add a photo of the hang tag as well? You can add it into one of the comment boxes or I'll send you my email address and I can add it to the root record for you (you are not able to modify or add to the record once it's been created but you can add photos to the comment boxes). 

Do you know anything about the history of the watch?

Fairfaxwatchhunter
Posted October 3, 2017 - 12:53pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I purchased the watch from a lady in Centreville, VA who told me that the watch belonged to her husband's father. Her husband is 70, so that sounds about right to me.

I can't figure how to post a pic in comments, but will gladly send you a pic of the watch with tag attached for your comment. Thanks, Geoff!