Question on Rolex Look Alike - Not A Fake!

[Garys]

I've been trying for years to get some information on this watch so I thought with all the wis types on this forum someone might be able to help me.

The watch was made by Bulova and plainly labeled Bulova not Rolex. I believe in the late sixties or early seventies but I've never been able to verify any information.

The watch is a Submariner look alike. It has a screw down crown with a tuning fork emblem so it might be part of the Accutron line but its a mechanical hack movement like a Rolex, smooth second hand movement. The hands look like Rolex hands down to the Mercedes emblem. The bezel is a one way turn bezel. The crystal is probably mineral but it might be sapphire. And finally, its supposed to be water resistant down to 10 atmospheres.

The watch has been one of my favorites since I bought it ten years ago or so simply do to its good construction, accurate time keeping and Rolex looks without being a fake.

If you know anything about this watch I'd really appreciate the information.

[EvEr34]

I might be mistaken but I doubt Bulova would of put out such a watch. It's clearly a copy of a sub and I'd be suprised if a respectable company would not venture into that territory. Again, that's just my take on it and I could be way off.

[beerformeplz]

Its crazy that watch companies have to copy other watches just to sell some of there own.

[skywag]

Invicta does it ALL the time.

[kyle L]

http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WATCHSAL...ckBlackSub.htm

[Garys]

I can tell you that it is definitely not a fake. I've had it opened by a knowledgeable watch repair person who said it was a the same movement used by Bulova.

Also, having seen a number of fake Rolexes the construction quality of this watch too good. The new fake Rolexes are pretty good but I've had this watch for about ten years and back then fake Rolexes were pretty crappy.

Also, I have a couple of other Bulova watches that look like Rolex diver watches that I have verified as being manufactured by Bulova.

You have to remember that this isn't a current watch. The industry was much different 30+ years ago.

Heck, this watch was probably manufactured when a lot of the people on this forum were nothing more than a gleam in their parent eyes.

[tfarchio]

I can't believe Bulova would make something that looks so much like a rolex. But I did a quick google search (for Bulova Submariner) and this came up:

http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WATCHSAL...ackB211SBK.htm

It's not exactly the same as the one you posted, but it definitely looks like a submariner to me. Maybe it's an older Bulova Marine Star??

[dddrees]

I also found this article which is pretty interesting in regards to the US Navy and it's search for a watch.

http://www.corvuswatch.com/index.asp...1964_blancpain

[Garys]

Thanks Kyle,

Not sure how I missed that reference when I was googling around for information.

So it's not as old as I thought it was if they were selling it in 2004.

Regardless, its still a nice watch that I didn't pay much for so I'm still happy with it.

Though I still wonder why I haven't seen more of them around on the used market.

[Z06]

Sekio also has a "look-a-like" sub...The best compliment is to copy!

[Badfish179]

To each his own. If you enjoy the watch and it keeps good time, nothing else matters.

[WatchTimes]

Perhaps this would be better placed in the other watches forum and with a title "Info about my Bulova divers watch?"

Good luck, sorry I do not have any good info to add

[John2]

Gary,

Can you please provide us with your Boluva model number.


Thanks,

[Riseman Weather]

I don't know anything about the watch, but I do want one though. Bulova Watches are great watches.

[Garys]

Originally Posted by John2

Gary,

Can you please provide us with your Boluva model number.


Thanks,

There is no model number or name on the watch. The watch was manufactured in the early 2000's so you will only be able to get a used one.

I've never seen another one for sale so finding one may be a real challenge. I'm not really interested in selling mine but I would entertain a reasonable offer as I seldom wear it. (Bought a coke GMT)

There is a scratch on the bezel. You can kind of see it in the picture at the 11-12 range. I have the original watchband but it doesn't have enough links for someone with a typical wrist. The watchband on it now is a Rolex knockoff.

If you're interested PM me an offer.

gary

[StarSovereign]

While this technically may not be a fake, I have to say the purpose of the design is to mislead...if not the wearer than an observer. There's only two reasons to make a watch look like a Submariner; the first is because the wearer cannot afford the real thing and the second if to fool someone into thinking he's wearing a Rolex. Watches like this, along with other like the ENTIRE Invicta line, make me angry. Call me a snob, but I prefer the real thing...

[jnkay]

The sub and the datejust/day-date are the most copied watches in the world, and I am referring to well known as well as not so well known brands that have emulated them. There are way too many such brands to name, and I probably haven't even seen most of them, but I can easily think of several (Invicta, Croton, Jules Jergenson, Sandoz, Orient, etc.). 20 years ago I got a Seiko for high school graduation. I knew nothing of rolexes back then, but it was a near exact copy of a day-date, save for the inferior materials and quartz movement. This phenomenon is nothing new.

[Riseman Weather]

I actually think fake copies of watches are good, because it forces people to go to an authenticated dealer to get their watch.

[roadcarver]

Haha! Rolex I believe copied another watch's design many years back. I forgot which brand they copied.

These models that are made by Gruen, Bulova, Debaufre are called Homage watches, not fake.

Fake means its trying to pass a product as genuine; where Homage watches will share similar designs but not placing another brand's logo hoping to pass it off as something else.

[JimSnyder]

A Bulova Super Seville
http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/WATCHSAL...ickIndices.htm

[drockadam]

Woah. That looks incredibly close to a DayDate!

[Kapture1]

Lots of companies copy Rolex.

Rolex doesn't need to copy anyone.

[Silver Lobster]

Every so often Rotary and Accurist blatently just go for it. I am currently wearing an Accurist from 2003 which is simply an Air King clone from the same year!!!

[rolexsubdate]

Originally Posted by StarSovereign

While this technically may not be a fake, I have to say the purpose of the design is to mislead...if not the wearer than an observer. There's only two reasons to make a watch look like a Submariner; the first is because the wearer cannot afford the real thing and the second if to fool someone into thinking he's wearing a Rolex. Watches like this, along with other like the ENTIRE Invicta line, make me angry. Call me a snob, but I prefer the real thing...

They are just copying an original design ... making a visual clone of the real thing. Nothing wrong with that. Misleading is when the fakers put ROLEX on the dial....You might prefer the real thing and can afford the real thing, but many people are not so fortunate. They will look at these $100 watches and imagine them as their subs and be happy.

[lorsban]

My boss has a TT Rolex Sub but mostly wears his Timex "Sub" as his daily beater. Makes sense to me.

If you look at the history of watches, you'll find a lot of "familiar" shapes and styles being used and there are times when many manufacturers will make the same style of watch as long as there's a demand for it. Rolex wasn't the first to use the Datejust shape as we know it today, in fact, you'll find Omega, longines and some others having a shape like that before Rolex came out with theirs and popularized the design. So, it's not a big thing.

However, it was pointed out, and I agree, that it's simply wrong to make a copy AND fake the manufacturer as well. Nothing wrong with coming out with your own "version" of a popular theme. It happens all the time in every industry, in fact.

[majchers]

I bought my Bulova around 1992 in a reputable watch store. No doubt it is a 'copy' of the Sub but surely not a knock-off or a fake. It is a 100% true and legitimate by Bulova. Nothing wrong with that.

P.S. I think Bulova does not make this model anymore, possibly due to “ethical” reasons... ;-)

[WatchTimes]

Its a Marine Star.....

Sorry if someone already said so but too much to read through right now.

Bulova has made them for YEARS

[Rags]

I would buy that Bulova before I'd buy an Invicta. At least the CS will be better if something goes wrong with it.

[Andad]

Isn't the Rolex Sub a copy of the Blancpain?