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.
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.
In reply to From what I've seen there is… by mybulova_admin
I have photos to add of the first Marine Star and one I recently purchased. Can that be done on this thread?
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
1999 - 96B30
Now I was fine collecting pre 1980 Bulova's then you HAD to put these on here. Thanks a lot!
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.
- The first Marine Star captured in a Bulova catalog was 1985. This is the link. https://mybulova.com/sites/default/files/catalogs/Bulova-1985-Catalog.pdf
Once you click on it scroll down to page 12 of the catalog itself and you will see the two tone Marine Star. It’s page 19 of the PDF.) They continued that style in early 90’s and again in the 2000’s.
*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.
Interesting enough the 90C64 (Marine Star) also appears in the 1984 supplement catalog. So the first one may have P4 or P5 on the rear case code. Page 7 of the supplement https://mybulova.com/sites/default/files/catalogs/Bulova-1984-Supplement-Catalog.pdf
We’ll have to find one.
(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
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.
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 😞🤣
In reply to Well it’s settled for the… by Plumslove1
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.
In reply to After googling there is no… by FifthAvenueRes…
They’re out there. Hodinkee sold one and the listing is still there to read about it. There’s also one listed on EBAY right now. Here is the Hodinkee link: https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/bulova-marine-star-chrono-2?variant=33050038992971
In reply to They’re out there. Hodinkee… by Plumslove1
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.
In reply to A Watch Sellers description… by FifthAvenueRes…
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.
In reply to I would love to learn that… by Plumslove1
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.
In reply to I wouldn't go as far as to… by FifthAvenueRes…
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?
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.