I've decided to start this forum topic as a way for members to alert the wider community to the fake vintage Bulova watches being sold on eBay. Whilst it is policy here not to list any active watch sales on this site I feel a strong need to allow members of this site to post their 'genuine' concern over a watch being sold as a particular Bulova model when it is clearly not.
This page will be monitored and items removed if deemed inappropriate.
WARNING - Fake 1931 Bulova Lone Eagle
Had numerous emails with the seller, which include:
Seller:
Hi. Per your questions I took the case to a jeweler this a.m. and had him open it. I realize I couldn't sell it without doing so because the inside tells the story. Marked on the mechanism: ULOVA WATCH CO. 15 jewels unadjusted. 10AN (followed by) 597733 SWISS (followed by the letter T.) And to the side., separated by an anchor mark AF R3. The case is marked: (handwritten in blue paint 16889 (followed by something Like 9/50 (can't read). then...ANCHOR (with same anchor symbol through middle Then a square 0 ) JK or R something. Very faint. If you would like photos happy to email them to you.
My response:
The movement is a 1929/30ish Bulova, but the case is not from a Bulova watch. Anchor is the case brand. I cannot say for certain that Bulova didn't use Anchor for cases but my feeling is that someone has put a Bulova movement into a Anchor case to make a complete watch.
All the same its definitely not from the Lone Eagle series.
Seller response:
With all due respect to your passionate hobby, I do not believe you are qualified to access this watch. Christies and Bonhams have declared this a genuine Bulova L one Eagle. No one knows the exact year, which is on another web site from the original ad in 1931 and this person knows much much more than you do. Please stop trying to pass your self off as an "expert." I am a physician who has been studying this watch as much as you. You are like a lay person trying to pass yourself off as a brain surgeon. Will the hobbist Lone Eagle please sit down.
In reply to WARNING - Fake 1931 Bulova by mybulova_admin
And a re-dial to boot. Non Bulova case. Notwithstanding the watch expertise that goes along with being an alleged physician.
In reply to WARNING - Fake 1931 Bulova by mybulova_admin
With all due respect Dr. the collective knowledge of the members of this site is well over 100 years of building, working on and IDing Bulova watches and the administrator could write a book about the Lone Eagle series of bulovas. You might want to ask Christies where they got their information on certifying the watch as an LE.If you would care to browse our database on LE series watches please do feel free to do so for it will enlighten you as to the authenticity of the watch.
In reply to WARNING - Fake 1931 Bulova by mybulova_admin
Nothing against the seller as I believe that they have simply been mis-informed on this occasion by Christies and Bonhams AND by the 'other' mentioned website.
It is good to see that this auction has been pulled under its current title and I hope that the seller can properly relist their beautiful watch under a correct title and description. I'm sure it will sell and I wish them luck in doing so.
My purpose in contacting them was not to harass or bully this seller, but to simply inform them of the correct information about their watch for their own good as well as the good of the unaware buyer. People make mistakes, that's normal, but it's what you do to rectify your mistakes that matter to me.
"Christies and Bonhams have declared this a genuine Bulova Lone Eagle"
An interesting statement, 100% wrong but interesting nontheless. Pure fakes do exist although I'd call this one a genuine 'FRANKENBULLY'.....Caveat emptor.
In reply to "Christies and Bonhams have by FifthAvenueRes…
Guys....the good Dr is probably talking about Christie Martinez's mobile auction truck in Cuilco, Guatemala. Christie's auction site use to be located in a small refurbished Taco Truck she purchased across the border in South Mexico, and she operated out of parking lots around Culico until the truck was determined to be stolen. Although it's been taken down now, her website was:
www.ChristieMartinezsMobileAuctionTruck.bs.com She also used her printer to produce fake ID's, appraisals, and declarations.
Well, I don't know what it means to be qualified to "access" that watch, but its certainly more than your right to ASSESS that phony. Really hope that that guy is not my physician.... I can't imagine he has the ability to diagnose anything and his bedside mannor!
Someone might want to point out that the 1931 lone eagle patters was a straight engraving on the case and not in a triangular shape. definitely a frankenfraud.
Watch out for these.....
Offered as Vietnam era Bulova Military they are 100% phoney.
The Watches mimic DTU-2A/P (3818B) which Dates to post October 1962 but the Caseback displays pre-1960 Bulova 'Type A-17A' nomenclature and has 14 sides not 8 as issued, some say the nomenclature is acid etched into the backs.
The Movement looks fake also.
The Watch is all wrong but to the unknowing eye would pass.
In reply to Watch out for by FifthAvenueRes…
Hmmm I'm not seeing a movement model stamp.
In reply to Watch out for by FifthAvenueRes…
Military case backs have 10 sides not 8 don't they? I looked at the ones on site and they have ten.
That fake lone eagle has a 1932 date stamp on the movement too, so is not 1931.
Another fake military watch 
In reply to Watch out for by FifthAvenueRes…
Not a 10BNCH, needless to say. The seller also has other 'military' watches with identical dials and identical movts as the one Mark shows here. The only difference is the name on the dial and sometimes caseback.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/U-S-Military-Wrist-watch-BENRUS-Brand-Vietnam-w…
In reply to Not a 10BNCH, needless to by Reverend Rob
deleted
More recently people have also been playing that same trick with JLC and Breitling claiming them to be military but are a simple old FHF movement.
Yeah, when I need an expert opinion on a watch, I ALWAYS think of my local brain surgeon first, then, of COURSE I call Christies and Bonhams. Would like to get my eyes on THAT appraisal.
the example below is a little more sophisticated using the correct Hands for the 3818B
The end result is the same - 100% fake.
In reply to the example below is a little by FifthAvenueRes…
Plus, Bulova never made a 3818B.
Wrong seconds hand too, should be red tipped, non lume.
Wow you guys really know your stuff I just joined the Bulova.com site today. I love vintage Bulovas and just purchased one on eBay. It's an American Eagle from 1960. Don't have it as yet but when it arrives I will really give it the once over and possibly post some pictures to get your opinions. That is if I can figure out how to do that
Welcome to the site Rich, look forward to seeing your new Bully!
If you have trouble uploading pics, try resizing here: http://www.picresize.com/
you can make your pics bigger or smaller, and make the final pixel size less, so it can be uploaded to this site easily.
You could also upload your pics here first: http://postimg.org/register.php
you can then copy and paste the url, which speeds up the load time to the site, ans saves on the site bandwidth at the same time!
Bob.
Bob the watch came in the mail today. I took multiple pictures in and out of the case. I've been trying to upload the pictures for quite some time now. I finally got this one to load and don't really know howi I did that. Disregard the band as I'm sure you know it's not correct. The rest of the watch looks legit. The markings on the movement and case are right. It was loaded with gunk so I cleaned it with some alcohol and qtip. It cleaned up really nice but in the process I got over aggressive with the crystal and it became detached. Now I'm guessing I need to ask what kind of glue is used to secure a crystal or whether I should even attempt it. Perhaps it's time for a watchmakers attention. Do you have any suggestions?
Nice watch but we will need more pics, full on frontal in normal position and case back and pics of the back of the movement to see what the calibre is and how many jewels it has.
If the movement is an 11AF then it is the 1960 American Eagle as seen by going to search and my bulova watches and input American Eagle. I have one but no case or crystal for it.
JP
Hi Rich, that's a nice watch and assymetrics are a favourite of mine.
GS hypo cement can be got from a well-known auction site for very little, and is the crystal glue of choice, quick drying and dries clear. Just be sparing when you use it.
Try just clicking the crystal back into place first, you might find it will go back.
Sorry about the poor pictures. It is an 11AF. Thanks for the info on the cement. I had thought the crystal might just click into place but it doesn't seem to want to.
My vote is 1960 American Eagle.
Ok now I need a crystal. Tried pressing it back in place and it cracked. Should have gone with the glue. Old adage a little knowledge is dangerous applies here.
I found a replacement crystal for the American Eagle on eBay as suggested. Thanks again for the input.
Now I am trying to get help with a 1948 7AK movement. It was running and being worn by me until the stem got loose and fell out. I have tried gently pushing it back in place whils rotating it in all different positions with no success. It won't even go in half way. Can anyone help?
regards
Rich p
Your friendly neighbourhood watchmaker will put that right. The stem is held in place by a nib on the setting lever, and this is tightened down with a small screw on the barrel bridge.
Sometimes the interior parts get pushed out of position while trying to re-insert a stem, and when that happens, the dial has to come off and the thing properly installed.
I strongly recommend a full CTR service for the watch if you intend to wear it and use it. Watches that dry out can destroy themselves surprisingly quickly if not serviced. You can't oil a dirty watch, so it's right to a complete service. Even dried oils leave residue, becoming abrasive.
As a curious side note for anyone interested in watchmkaing, I had a nice old Elgin wristwatch today that released its stem by screwing the stem retaining screw IN, as opposed to backing it out to release the stem. In this case, backing it out locks it.
Rare indeed, since they were never made like this, Bob's observations are spot on. The collecting of Military watches has become a minefield.......
Definitely a good read. Quite informative. Joined the site hoping to get help confirming the watch i just bought from a friend's friend is a fake. I'm Heartbroken being a new bulova fan while at the same time realizing I might have been had.
In reply to Definitely a good read. Quite by Myla A. Cinco
Hello Myla, if you can share photos of your watch we might be able to help determine if it's genuine.
Thank you. You are very kind.I read your rules and Im afraid mine is not the vintage kind which does not merit adding to this site. Its a diamond watch supposedly, mother of pear dial, two tone women's watch... On the bulova int'l website it looks exactly like the 98W107. At macy's, amazon and other online sites it is sold as 98R107. My box doesn't seem right as it has no pillow thing inside. I tried checking the date the watch was made using your guide but all I could find was a B6 on the back case and there is not even a letter B on your guide...
I do not know how much genuine bulova watches cost. I got hooked when my friend told me not to waste money on fashion watches but to wisely buy the real thing instead. I can't afford luxury watches but she offered staggard payment so i grabbed the chance to own a special watch like bulova. I was thinking of passing it on to my daughter in my old age as I know bulovas last a lifetime. I truly appreciate your gesture to address my concern.
In reply to Thank you. You are very by Myla A. Cinco
Good news Myla - B6 is a Bulova date code. Since we do not have interest in watches past 1980 we do not have current Bulova date codes. "B" designates the 2010 decade, "6" is the sixth year so your watch is a 2016 model. It is possible the the small pillow you mention was removed at some time and inadvertently misplaced. You might be able to see the model number on the dial at the bottom below the number 6. My guess is that you have a genuine Bulova watch.
If it is a 2016 model Bulova watch. Bulova themselves should be able to assist you in confirming if its authentic. Check their website for details.
Thank you so much for your replies. I am so relieved !
You are all very knowledgeable and kind and I respect
this group even more. Thank you!
Is this still a viable topic? I've noticed a couple of sellers on ebay who always seem to have several pristine looking Bulova watches available for sale/auction. Without mentioning specific sales, one features items from the late 20s and early 30s, that have been commanding fairly high prices. . The other features later models (like 50s), often with colorful dials in bright colors or patterns, that are often going for less that a servicing might cost. Any thoughts on these? If it was a occasional item, it might not even be noticeable. However in quantity, they just look too good to be true. I assume we're not allowed to mention specific sellers by name.
In reply to Is this still a viable by rbaines
I have seen the bright coloured re-dials and for the most part, they are Bulovas, but the dials have ben done in a colour Bulova never used.
There are a number of sellers that polish the watches to a high degree and then use photo effects and lighting to enhance the visual appeal of the watches. These appear to be genuine also, but over polishing without any regard to subtle texture differences is not my cup of tea.
This is a highly subjective thing, there are some collectors who want no polishing at all- they prefer the aged and dull look of a watch that has been used.
Thanks. So, I guess its kind of like looking at vintage autos. Some people like them in original condition and some don't mind some modification. And some like a completely new, but original looking restoration. But a '55 Thunderbird is still basically a '55 Thunderbird.
It's buyer beware and they have have sites like this to help them determine if a watch being offered for sale is authenticate (not neccessarily original).
This topic was set uo mainly toinform visitors of watch being offered for sale that are clearly not what they are, especially those with a high asking price.
Hi All
Although I have stopped collecting Bulova´s now I still like to keep up to date and visit this site often. I would just like to add to this conversation regarding fakes being advertised on auction sites. When I have an interest in a watch being offered for sale I always request the seller to send pictures of both the watch movement and the inside of the case back. I then use these to try and reseach the actual watch using the details from on the movement and case back before bidding or buying.
I know this method may not be 100% way of guaranteeing the watches authenticity, but it does show up any glaring falsehoods and if the seller is genuine they are normally happy to supply these extra pictures. So far I have only been caught out once by using this methodology
Hi All
Although I have stopped collecting Bulova´s now I still like to keep up to date and visit this site often. I would just like to add to this conversation regarding fakes being advertised on auction sites. When I have an interest in a watch being offered for sale I always request the seller to send pictures of both the watch movement and the inside of the case back. I then use these to try and reseach the actual watch using the details from on the movement and case back before bidding or buying.
I know this method may not be 100% way of guaranteeing the watches authenticity, but it does show up any glaring falsehoods and if the seller is genuine they are normally happy to supply these extra pictures. So far I have only been caught out once by using this methodology