This Bulova is nicknamed the Royal Oak for obvious reasons, and this example has just been serviced and upgraded to sapphire glass. Model reference 4420101.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the serial number on the movement and on the inside of the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in 1979.
CONDITION
Gerald Genta designed the AP Royal Oak in 1972, and it was not an immediate success – it took years to sell the first 1,000 watches. But after 50 years it is the Royal Oak that AP is best known for, have the longest waiting lists for, and the cheapest used one now in a man’s size will cost in excess of £10,000. So in the late 1970’s Bulova released this, and it was withdrawn quite quickly. We don’t know exactly why, but we would expect lawyers to have been involved. The bracelet is very similar to the AP, The hexagonal bezel almost identical (but fitted with screws not bolts) but even the hex crown and raised pattern dial is very similar to the more expensive watch. With that in mind prices for these Bulova watches have risen as they are more and more collectible. This is the steel automatic version, which is a little more desirable as the gold plating on the bezel of other models can show wear (on the AP it is solid gold of course). The dial is very good, and the case and bracelet only have light marks. Almost all the plating has coming off the original hexagonal crown, which is not unusual on these. The automatic movement is stamped Bulova 1432.10 calibre, but it is actually the widely used ETA 2892 – Tudor, Omega, Breitling, TAG Heuer and dozens of other premium brands use this movement or base their own movement on it. This has quick set date and hacking, and also allows a slim profile. The watch has just been serviced, and the normal glass crystal upgraded to a sapphire glass – this is easily reversed if you want the watch to be totally original. The bracelet is quite long, which is very important with these, and our sister website, SpareLinks.com, may have extra links if required.
This watch will be supplied with our branded presentation box and our Certificate of Authenticity.
This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 37.3 mm
Width without crown 35.0 mm
Lug to lug length 43.9 mm
Case Thickness 8.6 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 190 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
