Bulova Quest: the Sag Harbor watches

Submitted by SeekingSagHarbor on August 24, 2021 - 6:50pm

Hi there. 

I'm turning 40 this year and was hoping to purchase my first Bulova watch. I'm doing a bit of research and hoping to find something that was made at the Sag Harbor factory. 

Excuse my ignorance, but were there actual models that can be traced to that specific factory? I'm sometimes confused whether they only made parts/pieces that were then shipped to other factories for assembly for the finished product.

If they did make complete watches, is there any easy way of knowing which ones? For example, are all watches made between 19__ and 19__ watches from the SH factory? Or are all Sea King watches? Or any watch that features a whale? I'm hoping to know that "key" so that way I can research further.

I grew up down the street from Sag Harbor--it's whaling history is very important to the town. I'd love to have the chance to wear a watch that came from my corner of the globe. Thanks so much for any and all guidance.

Andrew

PS--and bonus, if there was any Sag Harbor built watch that came out in 1981...that'd be a near-instant purchase.

mybulova_admin
Posted August 24, 2021 - 8:39pm

Bulova closed their Sag Harbor factory in 1981, so there is a chance that one of the last watches produced came from that factory.

I'm not aware of what watches were produced, assembled in Bulova's many factories. Not sue if t was just cases, or just movements or the assembly of both. 

SeekingSagHarbor
Posted August 25, 2021 - 12:21pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Slim chance at finding a 1981 SH watch, but at least there's a sliver of possibility there. Very interesting, thanks!

SeekingSagHarbor
Posted August 25, 2021 - 12:22pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

This was one of our local papers (I worked for a competitor). Great piece--does mention that most of the work produced out there during WWII (besides the obv. war effort materials) was on women's watch parts. 

camu
Posted September 23, 2021 - 8:11am

from what i gathered the logo of the " WHALE" was Bulova's response to the change from WATERPROOF to WATER RESISTANT, they used the whale instated of the text water resistant  the company had a good sense of humor or odd ball quality much like when they printed 666 on the dial of their divers watches