Interesting that vacuum tubes are the example that is often used in the discussion of "new old stock"; here's the Wikipedia entry -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_old_stock

Vacuum tubes are an interesting example. I imagine that when electricity flows through one of these tubes, all can agree that the tube is no longer "new".

I am accustomed to seeing the term used in connection with car parts. I had a 1971 de Tomaso Pantera, and there was a market for NOS parts for the engine, interior, etc. Once again, when a particular part went out of the box and into the car, it was clear that the part was no longer "new". All agreed on that.

With watches, it gets a bit more complicated, doesn't it?

Jeff

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: I collect, rebuild, and use, vintage audio vacuum tube amps from
: the 1960's. When I first starting doing this, around 1988, I
: searched for spare new tubes from electronic supply stores,
: authorized repair shops and tv/radio dealers (who serviced what
: they sold). An "NOS" vacuum tube, to me, is exactly
: what it stands for "New, old stock". That is, never
: used, original tubes in their original box with absolutely no
: use whatsoever. That was usually pretty easy to verify, in
: particular, when bought from an "electronic parts
: jobber" (aka: wholesale electronic supply house/store that
: sold to tv/radio/audio repair shops). I would apply the same
: definition to a watch described as NOS. That is, in its original
: packaging and absolutely, positively never worn on a wrist and
: used. One exception would be the NOS Breitling watches sold by
: Old World Jewelers (Chicago) up until their inventory ran out 10
: or 12 years ago. Those watches had been stored in safety deposit
: boxes in a Zurich bank, complete with the original purple wax
: seal on the back but, alas, no original boxes, papers or bands
: (too expensive to save and store with the watches). They were,
: however, completely original, factory fresh from the late 60's
: to mid 70's and never, ever worn or used until the day they sold
: to two individuals at auction.