Dating bulova accutron watches

How do I Date my Bulova Watch?

Watches dated post 1949 have a 2 alpha-numeric date code on the outside back case, whilst watches dated before 1950 usually contain a date code symbol on the inside movement. The following table will help you date your vintage Bulova watch movement and case.

Why are there so many Bulova Accutron watches out there?

Counterfeit Accutron watches are widely being sold to unsuspecting buyers, with knock offs being passed off as Bulova Accutron 10K gold-filled authentic timepieces. There are still many units out there because more than 5 million pieces were sold between 1960 to 1977 when the watch was being produced.

What do the numbers mean on Bulova watches?

Bulova date codes: 1924 - 1949 Between 1924 and 1949 Bulova used a date code symbol on their watch movements to indicate the year that movement was assembled. Between the same years most Bulova watch cases also had a serial number that started with the number corresponding to the year of assembly.

Can the Crown of a Bulova Watch be changed?

Don’t rely on this exclusively, however, as crowns can be changed easily. Note, watches with dials that state “Bulova movement” are not Bulova watches; rather they are watches that have been created by taking Bulova movements and putting them into third party cases (cometimes called “jobber watches”).

How do I find the date code on my Bulova Watch?

Bulova watches made between 1924 and 1949 are marked with a date code symbol. These symbols are typically located on the inside movement of the watch, so you or a professional jeweler will need to open the watch to locate the code. Bulova watches made between 1950 and 2009 are marked with a two-digit alpha-numeric...

What is a Bulova Watch?

Note, watches with dials that state “Bulova movement” are not Bulova watches; rather they are watches that have been created by taking Bulova movements and putting them into third party cases (cometimes called “jobber watches”).

How do I know if my Bulova is real?

The inside of the case back will typically be marked with the name “Bulova”; the exterior of some case backs are also marked (rarely with the name, but often with a recognizable Bulova date code after 1948). Case signatures often seen on legitimate Bulovas include:

How often should I adjust my Bulova Watch?

Many bulova watches come with a special date display that moves with the watch to show the correct day of the month. Since the mechanism cannot know which month of the year it is, many Bulova watches need adjusting once a month.

How do I know if my Bulova Watch needs replacing?

For some Bulova watches you can resize yourself with a spring pen. If your timepiece has damage to the crown, you should let a pro technician look at it. The crown itself can be easy to replace, but the internal pin, called the stem, needs to be checked.

What is a Bulova Watch?

Note, watches with dials that state “Bulova movement” are not Bulova watches; rather they are watches that have been created by taking Bulova movements and putting them into third party cases (cometimes called “jobber watches”).

Are Bulova signatures legit?

Case signatures often seen on legitimate Bulovas include: Bulova Watch Co. Bulova W. Co. Signed crowns can also be useful. The presence of a signed crown will add another piece to the puzzle. Don’t rely on this exclusively, however, as crowns can be changed easily.

Are there any Accutron watches without the Bulova logo?

There are a few exceptions. The Accutron product line is often marked simply “Accutron” or with the tuning fork logo. There are also a few examples of very early watches (1920s period) appearing without any Bulova markings on the exterior.