We discussed these watches in depth a year or more ago. I broke down and bought one recently. It is New Old Stock, but what exactly will we label it? At my house we call it the China Oval
The inside case back is clearly dated N9 for 1979. The movement is clearly dated P7 for 1987. The movement is marked ETA 2836-2 and bears another mark of DM 02/B18.
All stainless case. Stainless deployment bracelet with Accutron Fork
10/27/2012
Is it real or is it Franken, or is it Non-Conforming?? Is the 8 [ corrected from '18' to '8' on 11/1/2012 ] year difference between the case and the movement an issue? Our discussion around these models, which all seem to originate in Asia was whether or not they were fakes or reproductions. I took it to my watchmaker and asked him, he thought the parts were legitimate although obviously had no opinion on the 8 year spread.
Looks like a 1969 Bulova case with a movement manufactured 18 years later- after Lowe purchasing Bulova. Maybe movement made in China? I've seen records on site w/ movements marked similar in this timeframe.
I'd certainly go for Non-conforming.
Does New Old Stock imply the watch has never been sold from a jewelry store until it is acquired by the current owner? Maybe one store has it for a while, and then trades stock with another store, but at point of sale to owner, it was uncirculated outside of a retailer. Is that correct? One can purchase such a piece, and then they have an item purchased as New Old Stock, but once it starts circulating outside of a retail store- changes owners- I would call it "purchased as New Old Stock". I guess we could call the condition New Old Stock, but NOS is not a "condition", its more like a providence. I would think the condition is near mint, as it's not been "used" by anyone. Maybe a few folks who came into the retail store tried it on, or even took it home for a couple days or a week, then brought it back for some reason. For the store to take it back, it would pretty much have to be in similar condition to when it was sold- which is New, or New Old Stock. IMO. Wonder what Sotheby's' and/or Christie's considers NOS. Or if a definition is in Cooksey et. al. ?
In reply to Looks like a 1969 Bulova case by William Smith
In the 2011 Gilbert et. al. price guide, on page 11, they discuss grading. New Old Stock is not listed as a condition. It is, however, mentioned more like a providence in the top grade "Pristine Mint". New Old Stock. Absolutely factory new.
Having quoted that, I do know what I think you mean by New Old Stock. It's pretty close to uncirculated in condition, regardless of how many times it has traded ownership outside the retail point of sale.
http://www.mybulova.com/node/1465
replica, far too many of them to be genuine new, old stock.
Geoff, if You can recall the 'peru watch' it may have been the real deal ?
How about Asian Frankenbully?? we don't have that in the drop-down....:-)
There seem to be a couple like this listed on the bay every week, most come out of Hong Kong, and the dial color will change to Blue or Orange sometimes...Counterfit copy would be my guess, unless some one bought a bunch of Bulova leftovers and made them work...I have never seen a Bulova ad showing this model yet, has anyoe else?
No, I havn't seen an ad for it, but I like having it in the database as it really shows what's out there...Even if its entered as a non-conforming or Frankie. It says Bulova on the dial, case and movement. It's a great watch for info purposes- and it's in like new condition!
Same case as I posted a little while ago. Called a "Stadium" case by many. All seem to have been equipped with the Swiss mvt. as noted in the one here. Others I have seen only have a couple years difference between the case date and mvt. date. Personally, I think they are legit but that is only my gut feeling backed up by several I have seen from various sources not all Asian.