History behind the Rubaiyat and Marine Star watches?

Submitted by bulovaboy on

I own a Bulova Marine Star and I purchased a Rubaiyat for my mother. I've looked online but can't find too much info about both lines of watches.

Anyone have any history on where they started? Especially Rubaiyat as they likely have a much longer lineage and history than the marine star line.

mybulova_admin
Posted April 24, 2020 - 10:08pm

From what I've seen there is a possibility that the Bulova Marine Star goes back to the 1970s, but we mainly see them from the 80's onwards.

The Rubaiyat however is a totally different story, with it going back to 1916 and is part of the first line of watches sold by Bulova.

Here is probably one of their oldest Rubaiyat watches (note the red 12) and a watch I own, and is currently on display in the Bulova museum in New York.

https://mybulova.com/watches/1917-rubaiyat-8041

As the Marine Star is mainly post 1980 we haven't had much discussion about it, but on the other hand there is plenty of discussion on site about the original Rubaiyat series, which included ladies wrist watches and mens pocket watches.

https://mybulova.com/bulova-models?model=1355

Plumslove1
Posted September 24, 2024 - 9:17am

I have photos to add of the first Marine Star and one I recently purchased. Can that be done on this thread?

Andersok
Posted April 25, 2020 - 6:51am

I've always been a fan of the Marine Star line, and my own inquiries of searching advertisements has shown me that this line started around 1986, at least that is the earliest ad I could find. I have this 1986 (P6 dated) model, and a 1999 (T9) model.

1986 - 91C14

AndersoK_MarineStar91C14

1999 - 96B30

AndersoK_MarineStar96B30

JimDon5822
Posted April 25, 2020 - 9:17am

Now I was fine collecting pre 1980 Bulova's then you HAD to put these on here.   Thanks a lot!

bulovaboy
Posted April 26, 2020 - 1:12pm

Wow! Thanks for the information guys. I own 4x Bulova's, although mine are not vintage. I purchased 2 for my mum. I have the Moonview, Spaceview, Curv and a Marine Star (98A225). Although my Marine Star is much newer, it looks like the 1999 model in a sense. Nice to see that the designs do look somewhat similar over the ages.

Plumslove1
Posted September 23, 2024 - 10:35pm
FifthAvenueRes…
Posted September 24, 2024 - 7:17am

*Interestingly enough the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (a translation by Edward Fitzgerald) with it's 'jewel' encrusted cover was lost at Sea in 1912 aboard the Titanic. 

It is My belief the Rubaiyat brand name was gleaned after the book.  

Plumslove1
Posted September 25, 2024 - 9:30pm

(P4) 1984 has been confirmed. I found sample online. Marine Star first issue is 1984. I’d put photos here but the site wants them formatted differently 

Plumslove1
Posted November 15, 2024 - 8:21am

Well I just purchased a 1980 (P0) Marine Star from Pakistan. It’s the earliest date ai have seen. I have to figure out how to get photos uploaded on here. 

Plumslove1
Posted November 15, 2024 - 10:35am

Well it’s settled for the Marine Star. If you google MarineStar Bulova 1960’s you will find mechanical chronograph versions. They are amazing and cost a few thousand 😞🤣

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted November 15, 2024 - 2:00pm

After googling there is no evidence to support the claimed 1960's era of the watches being sold.  They appear to be 1980's models. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 22, 2025 - 6:34am

A Watch Sellers description of an item is not gospel.  There is no hard evidence to support a 1970's era Marine Star model Bulova watch.  

Plumslove1
Posted March 22, 2025 - 10:45pm

I would love to learn that the claimed 70’s marinestar is a fake. I prefer your perspective on it. I have obtained 1984, 1985 and 1986 models. 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted March 23, 2025 - 6:32am

I wouldn't go as far as to call it fake.  

Based on information this site has,  and there's a lot through 1979,  the Seller is wrong about the date of manufacture.  

Plumslove1
Posted March 26, 2025 - 8:35am

I would love to add the photos and descriptions to the thread. What’s the best easiest way from an iPhone directly to the group?

mybulova_admin
Posted November 16, 2024 - 10:36pm

I would agree that the 'Marine Star' series as we know them arr post 1980. I'll have to double check but I don't think Bulova had a particular model with this name.   

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