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.
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.
In reply to Bulova closed their Sag… by mybulova_admin
Here's a little history of the Sag Harbor facility.
In reply to Here's a little history of… by Geoff Baker
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
In reply to from what i gathered the… by camu
In reply to 666 (feet) was the depth… by FifthAvenueRes…
In reply to Might be worth asking… by mybulova_admin
In reply to The possible, but very… by FifthAvenueRes…
here it is 4/20/2012 https://www.mybulova.com/node/4290
I may have to play 420 as a lottery # today as it's 4/20
ha!
In 1966 the citiens of Sag Harbor erected a memorial dedicated to the local whaling industry.
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=133842
In what Year does the Whale first appear on Bulova dials? .......original Bulova dials.
From what I can see with watches in the database the earliest use is 1969. There are a few 1967/68 cased watches, but for me they seem to have later 69 and 70 stamped movements, suggesting the movement/dial is still 1969 and onwards.
This is 100% confirmed, just what I've seen here on site. The first linebook that shows the whale is 1970, but they could be showing 1969 models.
Also first whale logo advert in the 'Vintage adverts' secton is 1970.
In reply to From what I can see with… by mybulova_admin
Stephen,
We see some watches bearing the Whale while others do not, same Year, same model.
What is Your opinion on the Whale being an identifying factor for a Sag Harbor cased watch?
I'm curious.
Personally, I think it's a very strong possibility given the history of Sag Harbor and it's relationship to Bulova Watch Co..
In reply to Stephen, We see some… by FifthAvenueRes…
I've also been curious as to its usage.
I always put it down to certain models having a different waterproof depth rating than others, but if we can say that the logo appears on watches of the same model and year, then there must be another reason.
I certainly like the idea that the logo symbolises that the watch was produced in the Sag Harbour factory.
Now to prove or disprove.