Bulova 1972 -Unknown

Bulova 30 Jewel micro-Rotor 12EBA  GEP SN413299 N2/M8 reference R/7285

Case Dimensions and features:

• Width w/o Crown:   36.35 mm
• Length:   40.15 mm
• Depth:   7.40 mm wo/crystal, 9.15 mm w/crystal
• Lug Width:   20.25 mm
• Crystal:   28.15 mm x 26.40 mm, in watch.  Domed squared ellipse, acrylic
• Crown:   4.90Dia mm, signed
• Case Back:   33.40 mm
• Case Back thread O.D.:  33.40 mm
• Inside case back inscriptions:   R/; 7285; Swiss.
• Engraving on outside case back:  BULOVA; 413299; N2; Gold Electroplate Bezel; Stainless Steel Back

Movement: 

• 12EBA Automatic Micro-Rotor 30 Jewel
• Engraving on Movement:  BULOVA WATCH CO; 12EBA; 30 Jewels; Swiss; M8.  Under Balance Wheel: “SX”; “A”

Notes:  This is my second example of this model, found on an online auction only a couple of months after the first.  The condition of this one is near pristine, much better than the first one. This example conforms to all, except one, of my other six 1972 Bulovas that have “30” printed prominently on the dial, in that it has an M8 movement date code, and an N2 case date.

The other similarity is that I personally have four examples that have the inside case engraving of R/7283; two examples of case R/7285 (and another in the database from 2019); and I also have a single example with case code R/7287 (and it has a match in the database from 2012).  The last item which supports that all three of these models are from a similar timeline is the serial numbers.  The serial numbers for the seven Bulovas I own with “30” on the dial are:  413299; 413518; 416670; 416952; 417660; 418144; and 419144.  The other R/7287 in the database from 2012 has the serial of 419618.  The third R/7285 (that I also do not own) from 2019 has the serial of 413411.  And each case back has the identical style of inside engraving, and are all super flat, being only the thickness of the thread.   Both of those watches also have M8 movements and N2 cases.  So that is a total of nine Bulovas with “30” on the dial (including this one) in the MyBulova database.  All, except the outlier R/7285 containing an M4 movement (likely a replacement works, as it is well-worn), have N2 cases with virtually identical backs, M8 30 jewel micro-rotors, and serial numbers that are roughly within 6000 of each other.

I am a watch enthusiast, and I think this database is very valuable. The curation of it exhibits a very personal touch.  I spend quite a few hours in it, in this case viewing every 1970s Bulova in this database. My motivation is to be a contributor to a good cause, and to hopefully have a minor positive impact.  I appreciate all that you Panelists have achieved with your work here.