I have a vintage Bulova with a 7AK movement. in an odd corner there is an engraved "47". Would that be the year of manufacture? I have read that a "D" in that spot indicates that it is a 1936 movement but I'm curious about the subsequent date codes.

Jiim,

According to this chart, that would be the year marking. After '48, they went to the letter-number code on the caseback or the movement.



I believe that I got this chart from Bruce Shawkey at some time in the past, but I don't recall where he got it.

Regards,

Cary

Thanks Cary, That is great, more than I even hoped for.

Best regards, Jim

Thanks Lindell... very helpful.

Regards, Jim

I have a 10AK with the symbol used for both 1932 and 1942. How do I know which date it is, or does the model pretty much make it one or the other?

Jerry,

I believe that the 10AK is a later movement, so I would bet that the '42 date would be correct. Styling should be a tip-off as well.

Cary

I have a 7AP, 21 jewels with "AAA" stamped on the movement, the symbol appears to be from 1931.

Curved case B-10K Gold Filled 9809121

Hi all, I just today acquired a Bulova curved (like a curvex) case watch. It has a 7AH movement but no date code and no serial number. It is marked swiss.

What would be the best way to put a date of manufacture on this watch?

Thanks, Jim

Jim,

Without seeing the watch, this is a wild guess... I would be willing to bet that Bulova was forced to import complete watches from Switzerland during the WW2 years, as their domestic production capability had to be dedicated to the military. These complete watches might not have had the date codes that would have been added upon their "casing and timing" in the USA. Those companies that wanted something to sell to civilians went to some pretty drastic steps. Hamilton recycled obsolete movements, Gruen imported complete watches in small batches. It wouldn't surprise me if your watch is from the war years.

Just a hunch,

Cary

Cary, You beat me to the punch. Here is a shot of the movement. Your theory sounds good to me. Thanks, Jim