The brushed finish gold plated case measures 40 mm lug tip to lug tip x 37 mm wide not including the signed crown x 20mm inside lug / strap width. The brushed metallic silver finish dial has a combination of applied gold / black two tone hour markers with lume pips to the outside, as well as the Bulova 30 Automatic signature and minute track printed in black. The lumed baton style hour and minute hands are gold / black two tone. There is no second hand which is correct for the 12 EBA micro rotor movement which is based on the Buren 1280 movement. The screw down stainless steel caseback is stamped Bulova N2.
While the only Bulova 30's we have in the db are round, it is not outside the realm of possibilities that this is one also.
We also have a 1972 Cushion cased Ambassador with the second hand version of this movt, and the same dial markings. Indices are different, but the hands are almost a match. There is also a Commander, again, with the second hand version.
https://www.mybulova.com/watches/1972-ambassador-4640?page=1
I've looked at quite a few 1972 Ambassadors on the web and all the ones I see have 'Ambassador' on the dial. Now this may be because these have been ID'd solely on that name on the dial. We also have a 1979 Ambassador in the db, with the name on the dial.
The 12EBA is the only movt we have in the db that is only in Ambassadors. The lack of name on the dial is throwing me.
Hi Dan, welcome to myBulova. We have in our advert dB 15 or 17 pages of 1972 Bulova catalog pages. 1972 is probably the best represented year for direct Bulova information on their line and yet this watch is not pictured. While I submit it is undoubtedly a genuine Bulova 30 jewel watch I can't help but wonder if it was not a domestic US model. Do you by any chance know where it originated?
By the way, I really like the watch!
Thanks for the warm welcome to my bulova.com! I agree this one is a head scratcher. I have an eclectic collection of vintage watches including several Bulovas that I am planning to post in the next few days to the site. I posted this one first as it is the one I am most curious about as the model name has proven to be elusive. Thanks for all of your input. I love this website!
The watch dial face does have “-T SWISS T-“ printed at the bottom below the 6:00 marker. Also the printing has the fine serifs on the letters and appears to be original and not a refinish. I have tried to add a straight on photo of the dial face to the listing but have been unsuccessful so far from my phone.