Bulova 1979 Oceanographer

Submitted by catangen on
12503
Manufacture Year
1979
Movement Model
1352.10
Movement Date Code
N9
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
8293
Case shape
Other
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Other
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This one is a beauty. 1979 N9 Oceanographer 666 'Devil Diver' . Couldn't wait to show this project off. This is a NOS dealer/salesman display piece. I was told it comes from an estate of a former Bulova employee/salesman. Its truly NOS and in perfect condition and is case only. There is no movement...YET. I have a donor watch with a damaged case on the way with a nice clean running movement that is going to slip in snug as a bug in a rug. Im wearing this beauty without a movement for another week or so. Dial is marked T-W Germany-T and its a Brevet case. My donor watch does have a Bulove clasped bracelet, but i am not sure its original. I would love to find an advertisment or lilne book entry to see what bracelet it did in fact come with. Once servieced and ticking away it will be a quality addition to the collection of not very common Bulovas. 

front 1
Front 2
Front 3
Front 4
JimDon5822
Posted November 14, 2022 - 12:33am

What an awesome looking watch.   This appears to be a 1979 Bulova Model #12503

Bulova 12503

catangen
Posted November 14, 2022 - 1:30am

In reply to by JimDon5822

Jim, did you happen to notice that the time and date in the photo you posted is the exact time and date as the dealer sample i purchased. The photo you posted matches mine right down to the seconds, 

catangen
Posted November 14, 2022 - 1:16am

I think that must be so as mine still has the original case back sticker showing 12503. i was not sure that number corresponded to anything specific. Thanks for the confirming photo. Looks like i am looking for a Presidential bracelet. 

case back

catangen
Posted November 14, 2022 - 1:20am

Interesting to notice this.....In the JImDon's post of the catalog image, the time and date are set to exactly the same time, right down to the seconds, as my watch is currently set to.....i think further confirming that this is an unused dealer sample case. That is cool and has me second guessing my intention to install a movement. Maybe i should just leave it. 

catangen
Posted November 14, 2022 - 1:34am

A look inside at what takes the place of the movement

inside case

neetstuf-4-u
Posted November 14, 2022 - 9:41am

That is a real treasure, if it was mine, it would likely be left as is for the historical value with the potential addition of a NOS ad correct band). Band was probably removed and sold at some point.  It's your call. I was actually watching this one online and lost track of it before it sold :o) I agree it's a sample and could be the very one in the ad. It's possible (pure speculation) that salesmen were "issued" these to show to prospective customers with all set the same for aesthetic effect (equally and symmetrically  spaced hands not covering dial text). It would be interesting to know if there is a serial number  under the sticker on case back. By 1979 model names were on the way out and most were ID'ed by number only.

At this point

1979 Bulova Model #12503 (noting it's a sample incomplete watch)

Looks to be a good call.

 

Kathy L.
Posted November 14, 2022 - 10:26am

This is a beautiful watch, congrats.  Looks like Jim nailed the ID as proved by the sticker on the caseback.  I bought a 1940s ladies sample awhile back and the band was sample size too at about half the size, it was the main reason I bought it so I was a bit disappointed lol.

Your case would be 1979 Bulova Model #12503, I am not sure how we will ID this for the DB without a movement

catangen
Posted November 14, 2022 - 5:58pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

The movement that is supposed to be in it, and may be in it in just a few more days, is a 17 jewel automatic PUW 1661S movement that was manufactured in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Bulova identified as caliber 1352.10 This was a widely used movement that can be found branded differently by many different watch companies. I believe it can even be found in one of the Omega Constellations. 

Kathy L.
Posted November 22, 2022 - 10:41am

In reply to by catangen

Very interesting and great you were able to find one for it.

JimDon5822
Posted November 15, 2022 - 2:43pm

Makes me wonder if this is the unique. Super exciting find.