Bulova 1972 Bulova 30

Submitted by gmmy775 on March 29, 2020 - 1:20pm
Manufacture Year
1972
Movement Model
12EBACD
Movement Jewels
30
Case Serial No.
418144
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Crystal details
32.05Dia mm, in watch. Domed acrylic
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bulova 30 Jewel micro-Rotor 12EBACD  SS 41844 N2/M8  =  Case Dimensions:  Width w/o Crown: 37.35 mm  =  Length:  41.00 mm hidden lugs  =  Depth:  6.65 mm wo/crystal, 10.10 mm w/crystal  =     Lug Width:  19.00 mm  =  Crystal:  32.05Dia mm, in watch.  Domed acrylic  =  Crown: 4.00Dia mm, not signed  =  Inside case back:  Inscriptions:   R/; 7283; Swiss.  In Ink:  1024; 174; *1014  =     Engraving on outside case back:  BULOVA; 418144; N2; Stainless Steel  =  Movement:  12EBACD Automatic Micro-Rotor 30 Jewel  =  Engraving on Movement:   BULOVA  WATCH CO; 12EBACD; 30 Jewels; Swiss; M8.  Under Balance Wheel:  SX; D  Notes:  Already have one of these “Unknown” watches with a blue dial.  The green dial looks even better than it did in the listing photos, and who am I to turn down a micro-rotor.  Runs great, starts up with slight movement

Full view
Case Back View
Movement View
Inside Case Back view
Case Back
JimDon5822
Posted March 29, 2020 - 8:39pm

It is great to see this watch. I have just the dial and have been wondering what the case and movement would have been.  Now I can narrow down the year to find out the model name. 

gmmy775
Posted March 29, 2020 - 9:58pm

Hi JimDon,

Good Luck.  I have another one of these in my watches with a blue dial.  It was listed as an Ambassador when I bought it, but in the last year I have not been able to confirm this.  Both of my watches are unusual in that they are stamped N2 on the backs, but the Buren 1322 movements are M8.  The markings in the case back lead me to think that these are Swiss manufacture.  The 1321 1322 movements were used in a variety of different Swiss watches.  The 1322 is for a domed dial, and the 1321 is for a flat dial.

I don't think these are super rare, as lately I have seen two with the blue dial and one with the green.

Let me know how your search goes.  My blue dial copy runs, but quite fast.  I might me tempted to trade for something interesting, if you are willing to get it to be serviced.  These Burens are iconic movements, but require expert service. 

mybulova_admin
Posted April 4, 2020 - 3:18am

I've had no luck at all finding an model match. Mu only offering is that we ID as a generic Bulova 30 for now.

gmmy775
Posted April 4, 2020 - 3:22am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I have looked exhaustively for an ad for almost a year on my other (blue dial) example of this model, drawing a blank.  I suspect it was a European offering that made it back here at least five times (I found three other examples).  My thoughts were already that it should be called a "30", so I concur.  Thanx for the effort commander

neetstuf-4-u
Posted April 4, 2020 - 10:04am

 I would hesitate calling this a "Bulova 30", as that naming was only around very early in the production of 30 jewel movements. In the early-mid 1960's that designation disappeared and Bulova watches with 30J movements were christened President, Beau Brummell, Commander, Date King, Sea King and Ambassador up into the mid/late 1970's.

At this point, I'm stuck at

1972 Unknown, like your other example.

 

gmmy775
Posted April 4, 2020 - 11:10am

A lot of accumulated knowledge among the panelists, the real story is why I am here.  I have no emotional attachment to it being called anything, it is just a watch I enjoy and had wondered if it had an identity.  Keep up the good work

Geoff Baker
Posted April 4, 2020 - 10:28pm

Love the color of the dial, rather unique. I'm not sure I see any close matches either. I suggest:

1972 Bulova 30

gmmy775
Posted July 6, 2020 - 8:19pm

I am beginning to think that this 1972 "Bulova 30" is perhaps not super rare, but at the very least uncommon, and likely completely of Swiss manufacture and distribution.  The first one I acquired was from Canada.  I have spent the last couple months scouring vintage watch sources, european auction sites, and of course the usual suspects like Chrono24.  Except for the one that has been on "e" for a few months, I have yet to turn up another example of this.  I did find a loose case, without the back, from a Swiss seller.  Of course I am interested in any additional info possible.