Search bulova watch by serial number

Unlike many other watch manufactures, Bulova did not record their serial numbers against watch models, or if they did this information has long been lost.

In many instances the case serial number can only be used to help determine the year of manufacture. This is usually dictated by the first number prior to Click here for Bulova date codes. At Jomashop. I have a mans accutron bulova watch serial number H look for info year value. Determining the Date of a Bulova Watch For purposes of assigning a date, Bulova watches break down nicely into three basic groups: 1 pre, 2 through , and 3 and beyond.

Interpret the date code. What Is My Bulova Watch Worth Once you have identified a date code on your watch, you will need to interpret it, as the date is never printed in an obvious way. Bulova has used a few different systems for dating their watches. If you see a symbol, do an internet search to find a table that will show year which year corresponds to which symbol.

If the difference is only one year, it may simply be that one component was manufactured first and then warehoused until it was needed to assemble the watch. If the difference is more than a year, it is likely that one of the elements has been replaced. Find the serial number on the case.

To find the serial number on the case of your Bulova watch, simply flip it over and look at the flat back of the case. If there is a serial number, it should be engraved here. Not all Bulova watches will have serial numbers on the case.

If yours does not, you may want to consider looking for a serial number on the mechanism. You may want to use a magnifying glass to help you read the serial number. If you already looked for a date code on your watch, you may have already found the serial number.

Find the serial number on the interior mechanism. If there are no identifying marks on the outside of your watch, or if you want to know the model number of the movement that was used in your watch, you will have to take the back case off.

The serial number may be located anywhere on the mechanism. Be very careful doing this, as you can damage the watch if you are careless.

If the watch has a snap back case, you should be able to see a raised lip around the back and bezel of the case. There won't be any hinges or notches. Snap back cases simply snap into place, so you should be able to remove one by prying it up with a dull tool.

Don't use anything sharp like a knife blade that you might cut yourself with. Some older watches have swing-back cases, which can be identified by a hinge on the back of the case. These are opened the same way as snap back cases, but the back hinges open instead of coming all the way off. You may even be able to open this type of back with your fingernail.

If the watch has a screw back case, you should see six grooves or notches located somewhere along the perimeter of the metal back. You will need to open the back case using these notches. Screw back cases must be unscrewed before you can lift them away.

You will need a special tool known as an adjustable case wrench to open one. There may also be a second protective cover inside of your watch. This can usually be pried off with a fingernail, but be careful not to damage the mechanism as you are doing this. If you have any trouble getting the case open, bring the watch to a professional jeweler. Replace the back case. If you opened the back of your watch to locate a serial number, be sure to put it back together right away.

For snap back watches, locate the small pin on the inner lip of the case and the small hole around the perimeter of the watch. Line up the pin and the hole, then press and click the case back on using your hands.

For screw back cases, place the case over the back of the watch and grab onto the grooves using the case wrench. Rotate the case clockwise until it screws back into place. Compare the serial number to online lists. Once you have identified a serial number on your watch, you can try searching for the number online or using an online chart to help you identify when the watch was made.

There is no official Bulova chart to reference, but many people have compiled charts based on their own observations of patterns. Some serial numbers are easier to identify than others.

For example, watches that were produced before tend to have serial numbers that start with the numbers 1 or 2, but the exact number does not give any further clues as to its production date. For example, a serial number that starts with 1 could indicate that that watch was produced in or Part 3. Find a list of models. Once you have identified the age of your watch, you can begin comparing it to the models that Bulova produced during those years.

After , the date code is typically found on the back of the case. Beginning in , Bulova used a simple code to date the case. The code is a single letter and a single digit.

The letter represents the decade, the number the last digit in the year. Dating cases prior to is largely guesswork. There is no date code on the case; the code was located on the movement. Dating cases prior to means you have to largely rely on matching models to source materials and known examples. Note that the date codes prior to also used a different format — they are graphical symbols, as shown in the chart below.

Of special note here: Some of the early cases include a full four digit date inside the case back, typically the date shown is either or That is not the date of manufacture of the case! It is merely the date of the copyright of the case design and tells us nothing about the age of the case other than it is certainly from the year stated or later.

Check your watch, then use the chart below to match the code to a specific year. Note: The graphic symbol code system includes some repetition!

Enter your email address to subscribe to this site and receive notifications of new listings by email.