Date Codes

Submitted by thom on April 21, 2024 - 10:41am

Not sure if this has been answered or if anyone has observed this before but I have noticed some date code oddities.

I have a couple hundred movements I didn’t get around to adding to my data base. Worked on it over the weekend and saw several 1927 movements with a broad arrow marking. I am not talking about late movements that are “USA” marked but early movements. Off my head I remember a 100,xxx or 101, xxx 6AF with a triangle and a broad arrow date code. This should be a 1926/1927 movement and odd to see a 1937 date code. I also distinctly remember a 210,xxx 10AN movement with a square and a broad arrow marking. Agin, this is not from 1937, should be a movement you would expect in a 1927 Lone Eagle or a Banker.

Second point is a Diamond marking, not a square on edge but an elongated mark that is obviously narrower than what you would see in a square marking. 

Assuming which is dangerous but thinking Bulova started using the broad arrow mark in early 1927 but for some reason changed to a square. Also believe the diamond I observed is early 1923-1926, saw it on earlier movements based on serial numbers.

Third point isn’t necessarily dating but going through a couple dozen AAI movements I just realized there are many sizes, just the few I checked were 10 1/4, 9 1/2, 9, 8 3/4, and 8 1/2 Linges. Need to upload all the data to an excel I have then pull out the other AAI movements to get exact measurements. Never noticed the difference until I had an 8 1/2 sitting next to a 10 1/4; at that point I noticed the difference.

 

mybulova_admin
Posted April 22, 2024 - 6:37am

Thom, you've raised a very interesting point.

The notion that Bulova re-stamped a number of their early 1927 watches that where actually manufactured (and stamped with a triangle) in 1926 has merit.

I have always wondered why the original LE 5000 watches had this arrow (see 1937 date code) as well as a traingle (1926).

My thinking here (and it aligns with what you have said above) is that Bulova used watches manufactured and assembled in 1926 but were put to market in 1927 and as such re-stamped the movements accordingly with an arrow, which as you say may have been the original date code before they switched to the square (1927).

This, to my thinking, would have been done very early in 1927. 

It is a great theory, one I can get behind as it does explain the 1927 Bulova Lone Eagle that I consider to apart of the 5000 batch. Bulova (I believe) had these all set for 1926, but then needed to re-stamp over to 1927 when nobody had managed to complete the transatlantic crossing.

1926/27 Bulova 10AN movement

mybulova_admin
Posted April 22, 2024 - 6:40am

Can you share/link to some examples of the diamond stamping you mention.

Alex
Posted April 24, 2024 - 1:28am

Dear Thom, great observations you made and indeed something we have been trying to explain for years. It would be great if you could share the excel once finished for further study. Thank you!

thom
Posted June 2, 2024 - 8:28am

In reply to by Alex

Couple of apologies;

First, I am very old and suffer from dementia, may only get on this site once a month when my mind is working optimally so I apologize for the lack of an immediate response.

Second, I have been working on a Bulova Book for at least 20 years, as John Beard told me years ago on a different topic, if you have plans for your information then ensure it is protected before you share it. I personally own a couple thousand Bulova watches and many more movements. I just checked the “my Bulova watches” page of this website and there are 501 records for watches with 10AN movements, according to my data, I personally own more 10AN movements and watches with 10AN movements than the total records for the website, as an example. If I publish my entire .xl sheet here then it would be open season for anyone to take that data and publish a book before my impaired mind is able to accomplish the task. I apologize but I it would not be intelligent for me to publish my master list.

I will share relevant information related to the topic I posted, the broad arrow date code on early (1927) movements. Again not the totality of examples I own but enough to show the trend.

Same with the diamond date code, will post a few but don’t want to share all the data, inciting discussion but believe the totality of the data I have would be absolute and an opportunity for some to make it to print before me.

My concern is not for me to make money, I have more than enough but something to leave the grandkids to fight over. I have limited days with a clear mind which is why it has taken so long to finalize my book.

mybulova_admin
Posted June 2, 2024 - 6:53pm

Thom, that is amazing to hear that you have such a large amount of 10AN movements, which just happens to be may favourate movement to work on.

I totally understand your desire to finish the book and keep all your hard work protected. In 2 years time I'll be able to say I've been working on a 'website' for 20 years :-)

Anything you can share with the community will greatly be appreciated and I personally look forward to seeing whatever you share which helps shed light on this period of Bulova's history.