Cool Bulova! Need help identifying :)

[TickerSF]

Just picked this up on eBay. It is supposedly early 60's. I'm a chef so the pig was a big selling point
can anyone give me any information on this piece? Thanks!

BULOVA,M5 17j Manual Wind RARE! ,"PIG DIAL",,MENS WATCH,MINT!! 83,L@@K! | eBay

[AbslomRob]

I'm always skeptical about vendors who claim their watches are "fully serviced and ready to wear", and yet provide no movement shot or any information about the mechanical parts. Also, my interest tends to drop every time I read the word "Rare!!!", "Cool!!!" or any other overly enthusiastic word followed by multiple exclamation marks. But that's 'cause I'm an old cynic. :P

Other then that, this looks like a really nice watch. The dial is probably original; this was likely a promotional watch that was special ordered for some event that no one will ever remember. The M5 on the caseback dates it to 1965; the movement will have a similar code on it. 17j makes it a "typical" mid-range watch from a company that made excellent watches as a general rule, so definately a good catch. If it really was serviced, the price good, but if it starts running more then 30s to a minute a day +/-, get it in to be serviced.

[Roland Ranfft]

Hi Rob,

If it really was serviced, the price good...

Indeed, for the seller. Even if serviced, it is still a pig in a poke.

Regards, Roland Ranfft

[TickerSF]

The pig is awesome!

[AbslomRob]

Be nice Roland; I have a large collection of nice Bulova's that I may need to sell someday if I want my kid to go to university. Gotta try to get the brand value up, y'know! ;)

[GeneJockey]

It's a cool watch, especially for a chef! You may be able to find out the model by searching the ad archives at mybulova.com, plus if you post a picture of it there, sometimes someone there will find it for you!

I would note that reading the 'fine print' of the listing indicates that the watch may not have been professionally serviced, and that if you plan on using it much, you'll probably want to have that done. You should be able to find someone who will do it for under $100, but it may take some looking. The up side of that is that it should then be good to go for 5-10 years!

Be nice Roland; I have a large collection of nice Bulova's that I may need to sell someday if I want my kid to go to university. Gotta try to get the brand value up, y'know! ;)

Depending on where you want your kid to go to University, you'll need more than Bulovas!