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Bulova Automatic Dress Watch (Ref. 2682) "Mini 565", 1967 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bulova Automatic Dress Watch (Ref. 2682) "Mini 565", 1967

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Bulova (maker)
Date
1967
Country of origin
United States
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
BLV2682
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BLV2682)
Catalogue title (original)
1967 Bulova Automatic Dress Watch (Ref. 2682) "Mini 565" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BLV2682), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated 1967. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

Founded in New York by Czech immigrant, Joseph Bulova, in 1875, Bulova began as a jewelry and clock repair store before moving into the manufacturing of watch components and jeweled movements in the early 1900s. Over time, the brand would come to be known for both its unique and funky watches made between the '60s and '80s, ranging from colorful diving chronographs like the "Devil Diver" to eccentric electric watches like the famous Accutron. This piece, however, is a much more classic, military-esque offering from 1967, reminiscent of the Patek Philippe Calatrava 565. Featuring a fantastic two-tone dial with an off-white chapter ring and creamy Arabic numerals at each hour, this is a really beautiful watch that would fit into just about any situation. SPECS Stock # BLV2682 Brand Bulova Style Automatic Dress Watch Model 2682 Serial M7 Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Glossy Black Millimeters 33 Strap 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The Calatrava style case is in excellent vintage condition, showing very little signs of use, and appears to remain minimally polished in the past with the factory dimensions still fully present. The smooth integrated stainless steel bezel is clean, showing almost no signs of use. The unsigned crown is believed to be original to the watch. The case back is clean with factory engravings still legible and only minor signs of wear present. The watch will come supplied on a two-piece handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original rich black military-style dial with white chapter ring is in truly exceptional condition, showing very little age and no damage whatsoever. The Arabic numerals are nearly flawless and have aged to a perfectly creamy patina. The tritium dauphine-style hands have aged to match the dial perfectly, and show almost no signs of oxidation. ACCESSORIES None. The previous service history of the watch is unknown but the watch is operating perfectly and keeping time. A movement service can be provided upon request.

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Automatic (self-winding) watches

Self-winding watches use the wearer's motion to wind the mainspring. Abraham-Louis Perrelet and Breguet made 'perpétuelle' pocket watches with oscillating weights in the late eighteenth century, but the principle only became practical in the wristwatch. John Harwood patented a bumper automatic in 1923; Rolex's Perpetual rotor (1931) winding in one direction, and later bidirectional rotors (Eterna, Felsa Bidynator), established the modern form. Micro-rotors (Universal Genève, Buren) and peripheral rotors made automatic watches thinner.

What to look for

  • A semicircular rotor turning 360° over the movement, or a 'bumper' weight that rebounds between springs.
  • 'Automatic', 'Perpetual' or 'Self-winding' on the dial.
  • A sealed screw-back case, since automatic watches are wound less often by the crown.

Dating clues

  • Bumper automatics: 1923–c. 1955.
  • Full rotors: from 1931 (Rolex); widespread after c. 1950.
  • Micro-rotors: from 1954–1958.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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