Community Stories

Yard sale finds

me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
rob#1 rob#1
Nice pickups, congratulations 馃憤. Yard sales are a much better option than thrift stores these days, the stores must have more time to google stuff as I often see crap watches for top dollar. Yard sales on the other hand offer more variation; a few weekends ago I picked up a classic midi keyboard for a fraction of its value. And they had free donuts.

BTW I especially like the Caravelle Ultraman 馃槈

Thanks! Yeah, I hit a LOT of yard/garage sales through the season. 99% of the time I leave empty-handed but sometimes I get lucky.
Is that the model of the Caravelle? I do like the orange second hand and it does really look new.
This is the movement but I'm not very familiar with Caravelle so I don't know if it's a good movement or not, really.
 
DSCF2749.JPG
me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
redpcar redpcar
Betting that Caravelle has a nice movement inside.

upload_2020-10-1_17-14-25.png

I really don't know much about Caravelle but it looks nice lol
Here is the movement, do you recognize it?
 
DSCF2749.JPG
me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
TexOmega TexOmega
1974 is the year

I thought so. I wasn't sure if they used the same dating system as Bulova but figured they did since they're essentially the same company.
 
TexOmega
Posts
8,633
Likes
61,409
me1969 me1969
I thought so. I wasn't sure if they used the same dating system as Bulova but figured they did since they're essentially the same company.


Not essentially, Caravelle was Bulova's "entry level" (cheap) sub-brand.
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,305
Likes
45,005
rob#1 rob#1
Nope, I was having a laugh with my reference to the orange hands, similar to the Ultraman Speedmaster - read here for more details https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/60th-anniversary-speedmaster/ultraman-1968
Everything with an orange second hand is now an Ultraman. Everything with a black dial and Arabic text and lume pips is "MIL", everything with 12/3/6/9 lumed Arabic numerals is an "explorer". Nothing can just be what it is unless related to a particular icon....the masses lack imagination and are dying for recognition.
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,810
me1969 me1969
Ah! I didn't realize there was a treasure hunting thread. If I move it will this one be deleted because it'll be a double post?
If so should I keep this one because it's been commented on or delete this one and post there?

Nah it don't make no difference as two threads are better than one 馃榿
 
TexOmega
Posts
8,633
Likes
61,409
janice&fred janice&fred
Nah it don't make no difference as two threads are better than one 馃榿


Yes, if no duplication, OF would be 2 pages in length, and would have been locked a long time ago, with cobwebs all over the place.
 
Professor
Posts
2,327
Likes
2,542
me1969 me1969
I really don't know much about Caravelle but it looks nice lol
Here is the movement, do you recognize it?
Could not find the exact reference, or make out the first letters, but apparently Bulova movements marked with an 11 prefix and ending in in those three letters are A Schild movements.

My 83 Bulova uses an A Schild automatic, of much better finish.
Edited:
 
me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
redpcar redpcar
Flip the weight around to the other side.

I rotated it and there isn't a caliber or anything else on the movement (besides the + -) other than what you can see on the weight :/
 
DSCF2780.JPG DSCF2783.JPG
me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
redpcar redpcar
Ah. The AS1916. A fine movement.
Pics from ranfft.de
upload_2020-10-2_20-35-33.png

That does seem to be it, thank you!
Is that a decent movement? I really don't know much about Caravelle.
 
redpcar
Posts
4,403
Likes
10,566
Caravelle was to Bulova what Tudor is to Rolex. It's their lower priced (and sometimes more design risky) brand.
It is a very nice Swiss movement. Later in the '70s, Caravelle was fitted with lower cost Japanese movements.

I'm not sure who owns the Caravelle name today. Bulova is now owned by Citizen.
 
me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
redpcar redpcar
Caravelle was to Bulova what Tudor is to Rolex. It's their lower priced (and sometimes more design risky) brand.
It is a very nice Swiss movement. Later in the '70s, Caravelle was fitted with lower cost Japanese movements.

I'm not sure who owns the Caravelle name today. Bulova is now owned by Citizen.

I'm familiar with Caravelle and Bulova, I just wasn't sure about this particular movement.
BTW, I like your analogy. I always use the Toyota/Lexus analogy to describe Bulova?Caravelle but it never makes sense because Lexus costs more than Bulova lol
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,305
Likes
45,005
me1969 me1969
I'm familiar with Caravelle and Bulova, I just wasn't sure about this particular movement.
BTW, I like your analogy. I always use the Toyota/Lexus analogy to describe Bulova?Caravelle but it never makes sense because Lexus costs more than Bulova lol
I think many in the modern watch collecting world forget that Bulova was the pinnacle of US wrist watches during the 50's-60's- literally the Cadillac of watches for the same period as Cadillac was king of the road. Sure you could get a Jag, a Benz, a Rolls, but those weren't the aspirational product for the masses. Same could be said for Rolex, Omega, Longines, UG- sure they were out there but they weren't as aspirational to the middle class as Bulova was.
 
me1969
Posts
159
Likes
250
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I think many in the modern watch collecting world forget that Bulova was the pinnacle of US wrist watches during the 50's-60's- literally the Cadillac of watches for the same period as Cadillac was king of the road. Sure you could get a Jag, a Benz, a Rolls, but those weren't the aspirational product for the masses. Same could be said for Rolex, Omega, Longines, UG- sure they were out there but they weren't as aspirational to the middle class as Bulova was.

I remember when I was around 7 or 8 my father got frustrated with his watch and threw it down the basement steps. He had gotten it while in the Marines in '64. Me being that age and adoring my father I went down, got the watch, and put it in a box that I eventually forgot about.
I found that box sometime when I was in my late 20's and fell in love with the watch, it was a Bulova Astronaut.
I had it repaired and wore if for several years until I was in a bad car accident and the coffin link band cut my wrist open.
I literally died in the hospital and they brought me back. When I woke up the first thing I asked was "Where's my watch"
I never did find it but have thought about looking for another one for sentimental reasons, I loved that thing.
 
bulova1.jpg
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,305
Likes
45,005
There are a few of us members here who prize their watches for their deigns, build quality, innovations - it's a small cult. Even some watchmaker who specialized in them and are a wealth of information.
What I find "fun to think about is that you could put together a sensational catalog of Bulva watches- some of the best of the best-for less tha a new Hamilton. An and have far more fun doing it.
 
1 More Post...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Y

Yard sale find

Yardsalewatches Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Syrte
Syrte
Posts
38
Views
4K
M

$5 Yard Sale - Omega Seamaster Deville

Mate0o1 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
STANDY
STANDY
Posts
31
Views
3K
Pjm39

Yard sale 166.0142 Geneve (I believe)

Pjm39 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Pjm39
Pjm39
Posts
7
Views
3K
AveConscientia

Your best yard sale finds!

AveConscientia Open Discussion
AveConscientia
AveConscientia
Posts
11
Views
2K