Bulova parts interchangeable

Submitted by PanPiotrAdamus on August 15, 2018 - 2:23pm

Hello everyone,

this is my first posts here :) I will be the owner of Buloa 8AE movement soon and I would like to ask if other models from this series (like 8AH or 8AD) share the same parts. Reason is that I am finding plenty of them as NOS on eBay and that would make restorations easier.

 

Yet one more question, do you have experience with non Bulova (maybe Gruen or Waltham) cases for the vintage models that fit good?

Thank you a lot for help.

 

With kind regards.

 

Piotr

 

Reverend Rob
Posted August 15, 2018 - 10:07pm

Hi Piotr,

The Bulova 8AE is an in house movt, while the 8AH and 8AD are from an ETA ebauche. 

The 8AE really only interchanges with the 8AC, both Bulova movts.

If you mean do Bulova movts fit in Gruen or other cases, I can say that some might, but personally I like to see the watch remain all Bulova. 

I run into this mostly with pocket watches in my shop. A customer will come in with either a movement by itself or an empty case, and want to know if I can find a movt or case to complete the watch. This is oddly difficult. Even watches that take the same movts do not share the same dimensions case-wise, so you could have issues with stem length, or hand shaft lengths and other problems. 

With Bulovas it is actually easier, most Bulova cases are clearly marked as such. If you can ID the case, you will be able to find out what movt likely went with it.

PanPiotrAdamus
Posted August 16, 2018 - 5:19am

In reply to by Reverend Rob

Hi Rob,

Thank you a lot for the answers. This is a problem to find a case, I am looking on eBay but they are incomplete/worn (that's quite expected). Are there any other sources for new cases?

Thank you.

With kind regards.

Piotr

PanPiotrAdamus
Posted August 16, 2018 - 5:19am

In reply to by Reverend Rob

Hi Rob,

Thank you a lot for the answers. This is a problem to find a case, I am looking on eBay but they are incomplete/worn (that's quite expected). Are there any other sources for new cases?

Thank you.

With kind regards.

Piotr

Reverend Rob
Posted August 16, 2018 - 10:09am

We still find watches regularly that are in very good cosmetic condition, but with broken staffs in the movt, that sort of thing. If you buy such a watch (non-running) you now have a good case and a spare movt for parts. There is no source for 'new' Bulova cases for any vintage watches, but I can recommend NAWCC Marts- check the website for a chapter near you. I find a lot of Donor watches at these events.

PanPiotrAdamus
Posted August 16, 2018 - 3:03pm

Hi Rob,

 

thanks again !

 

KR.

 

Piotr