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.
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.
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.
In reply to The President 'E' from the 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?
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!
In reply to I love this watch, I WANT 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.....
In reply to Thanks Geoff, would love to by neetstuf-4-u