Which model is my Bulova Please?

Submitted by Chris73 on April 13, 2010 - 2:02am

 

Hi I have uploaded some photos of my fourth watch and first automatic. Its an ebay purchase and I'm completely ignorant as to anything about it. It only has numbers on the back (no letters) Its an utomatic with 23 jewels, thats all I know, any help would be appreciated.

Unfortunatley although it has apparentley just been serviced, it arrived fully wound after ten days in an envelope, but it wasn't going, and no amount of kinetec movement will have it running for long, it goes well face down but stalls face up unless I keep it moving, I have swirled and rocked and gently shaken every direction for minutes and minutes on end. Any suggestions? what am I doing wrong, is it a bump or 360 rotor (stay reminded I know nothing about watches, just getting into it) When I swirl the watch I hear it wind up. Thanks in advance, Chris.

Stephen Ollman
Posted April 13, 2010 - 5:18am

It certainly loks authentic, but can anyone shed any light on why there is no date cose stamp on the back and why there is multiple serial numbers on the back case?

As far as the running problem, sounds like it may need a clean. Will it run (face up) if you rock side to side?  If not it may have a broken balance staff on one end.

syfre
Posted April 13, 2010 - 5:39pm

Go to Google Books, advanced search, select magazine, date 1972, search for "The men's lib watch"

There is a ad with your watch in Life 73

Regards

Chris73
Posted April 14, 2010 - 7:40am

Wow! How did you know that? and thankyou.

My watch face doesn't have the whale on it  (what does that indicate?) but does appear to be from that line/series of designs because they are as equally ugly/cool as my daggy watch.  So now I know my watch is from 1972, possibly 1973 (i was born in 73 so I;ll go with that).

It will run face up so long as I shake it , but stops within seconds of not doing so, so I guess the balance staff is o.k and it just needs a good clean, any idea of the cost of that?  Be warned Ebayers, it was advertised as recentley serviced and good working order, but I am stuck with a broken watch that will probably cost more than its worth to repair. Thanks for your help.

I hope to stay tuned to this site and be of assistance to others as my knowledge grows.

I love the ugly 1970s bulovas.

Chris73
Posted April 14, 2010 - 9:09am

 it also rattles when shaken, is that supposed to be?

syfre
Posted April 14, 2010 - 1:55pm

yes it's an automatic ; can you wind it with the crown ?

You are right about the cost of an overhaul , why not learn to service your (ugly) watches your self ?

Chris73
Posted April 21, 2010 - 7:10am

Thanks Syfre, Most internet sites tell a fool like me to leave a service to the proffesionals. Shame cos I love my ugly clogged up old watch. Ill probably put her in a draw until I can justify the cost of having her repaired. ( ten years?)

Stephen Ollman
Posted April 22, 2010 - 7:34am

I agree with Syfre, have a go yourself. I started out wanting to get a 1929 Bulova Banker repaired after it kept stopping. It would overbank. I intially took it to a watch repair shop who said they could  fix it, but it was going to cost alot.

I ended up giving it ago myself....after much trial and effort and a great deal of patience I managed to fix the problem. I've never looked back and can now easily fix these early vintage movements. Its a great feeling to see then start to tick once again.

Janet
Posted June 7, 2010 - 9:53am

I agree with both Stephen and Syfre.  Get yourself a desk light, a headband type magnifier, a pack of small screwdrivers and a few sets of tweezers.  Once you give it a go you will find that its not too hard to take these movements to pieces and rebuild them.  Just be gentle and remember that small bits can fly out of tweezers and they can go a long way = really hard to find.   I am a girl and if I can repair a movement - so can you!!