#Bulova watches serial number lookup code#

When in doubt, you should cross-check the date symbol with the watch style to determine which era the watch likely fell into. Note that some dates share symbols with other years.

You will need to check the inside movement of the watch for a pictorial date symbol to identify the manufacture date.

#Bulova watches serial number lookup code#

If there is no alpha-numeric code on the backcase of the watch, it probably dates back further than 1950. For example, date code L5 1955, date code P2 1982. The first digit indicates the decade and the second indicates the year.

Also note that many Bulova watches also have a serial number listed on the backcase, but this number cannot be used to date the watch and only served as a method of identification. After 1949, Bulova used a 2-digit date-code which was stamped on the case back (usually near the serial number) and sometimes also on the movement (usually near the set-screw).

It is possible that the watch did not go into circulation until a later date, but there is no way of identifying the exact year a specific watch went on the market.

Note that these codes only specify the manufacture date of the watch.

Opening the watch should not be necessary. This code is typically found on the outside backcase of the watch, just below the serial number.

Bulova watches made between 19 are marked with a two-digit alpha-numeric date code.

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 19 are marked with a date code symbol.

Once you locate and identify the date code, you should know the year during which that watch was manufactured. There are two categories of Bulova watch identification numbers: pre-1950s timepieces and watches that were manufactured after January 1950. Genuine Bulova watches manufactured between 19 should all have an imprinted date code marked somewhere on the watch. On top of that, each company uses a different serial number style to index its products.