Dating a bulova watch

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.

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.

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:

Where do Bulova watches come from?

The origins of the Bulova watch brand start with Joseph Bulova himself. He left Czechoslovakia in the late 19th century and apprenticed across Europe. Then, in America, he’d work for Tiffany & Co before moving on to bigger and better things. After working in corporate for a while, Bulova found himself ready for more.

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...

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 do I identify Bulova watches from the 1920s?

Most Bulova watches from the 1920s feature a deco style common to other fashions and decorations of the decade. The hands of the watch are usually thick. Look at the style of the watch face. The sides and front of the metal will usually be decorated with engraved patterns.

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.