Are there any love for vintage Bulova on OF?

McKinley

I picked this Bulova President Model from 1960 up today for $10 on a follow up visit to a yard sale on Saturday. One of those, "Let me find my Dad's/Grandfather's watch and I will call you in a few days" things that never pan out. Well, this one panned out. The watch works and has kept time for 4 hours. The dial is either radium burned or possibly oil stained? From a few quick looks online I believe I have gathered that this was a one year only model and is quite sort after. I found one post from 2012 saying 1 in nice condition, if you can find it is worth $400. I doubt this dial qualifies, but it does look better in person than I can capture on my cell phone camera. It is nice enough and looks enough like a Hamilton "Thor" which I have lusted after for a few years so that I will pick up a brown leather band for it tomorrow and wear it for a while. Can anyone confirm it is a one year model and desirable as I have read. Any info anyone will give is much appreciated in advance.

McK

McKinley

Thank you for those links, @allwoundup, the first site is where I got the possible valuation of $400 for one in good condition. Again, small world. Here is a wristie of the watch on brown leather. It is definitely a smaller case than I normally wear.

McK

allwoundup

Thanks for the wrist shot. I am going to have to keep an eye out for one of these.

As noted in my previous email, the 1960 ads on mybulova.com show both the President and the Prime Minister "EW" apparently using the same case. While the descriptions of both models appears identical, the Prime Minister cost significantly more back in the day, $85.00 vs $71.50. I thought this might be due to the Prime Minister using different value metal/plating for its case, but no such mention is made in the ad. Beyond the one ad on mybulova.com for the Prime Minister "EW", an internet search turns up no info on the model. Perhaps another Bulova enthusiast here on OF can shed some light on the difference between the models. Perhaps you have the elusive Prime Minister, rather than a President.

Ads for both models mention the watches having luminous hands and dials. Did they mean luminous dial "markers" or the actual dial itself -- i.e., some early chemical attempt at an "Indiglo" type dial? That might explain the interesting shape dial discoloration. An interesting watch all around.

McKinley

I will have to do some "Googling" of the Prime Minister. You have me wondering. Do you think the Prime Minister would have been sold here in the U.S.? Or only the President here? Could it be the watches are one in the same just given a different name on each side of the pond noting our differences in titles? Maybe I am putting too much thought into this? LOL Off to the Google.

McK

Deafboy

That Bulova is really funky: the 12 hour marker - a tuning fork! - is really clever! I have a f300 (omega) and Bulova military watch, both of which I find really cool.