Steve, Did you see the Bulova artical in the August 2010 NAWCC Watch and Clock Bulletin? Bruce Shawkey wrote a great article about Bulova 23 jewel automatics and provided an extensive reference table detailing all the Model and ref #'s. He also notes as you have about the quality of Bulova and how it is under rated. check it out.

Mike

I have been told that the high end Bulova movements 21jewels or more were made in the USA that is why they don't have "Swiss" on the dial or the movement. Does anyone know this for sure and if so is this true for all the 21 jewel or starting after a certain date.

love this watch, it's a gorgeous art deco style in rose gold and keeps perfect time, but i'm having trouble identifying it... marked bulova on face and back.... also has a 7 digit serial number, and marked bretton on expansion band.... haven't yet had a jeweler open it up to identify a year mark, so until then i was hoping someone might recognize it and educate me.... thank you so much....

http://www.mybulova.com/watches/1948-cadet-622

Received gold swiss made bulova in 1976 as graduation present Had some problems with watch. Finally fixed. Was told that there was a time when movements were subcontracted out. Was told by the watchmaker that the movement is an eta movement. The back of the case says Bulova, and underneath it Swiss. The entire case is gold Very difficult to read serial # or code below this. I was told the watch is worth much more than what it was bought for