When I bought this watch I couldn't quite make out the date code but I figured early 1940s Bulova Dean. To my great surprise, I found once I got the jelwer's loupe out that it appears to be a 1938. Its the earliest one I've ever seen. I've attached an ad from the site and it also looks just like the 1939 on the site (indeed, the design doesn't seem to have changed much year to year).
In reply to HI, Kathy. Thanks for the by tshanno
In reply to Hi Tom! Thank you, I will at by Kathy L.
HI, Kathy.
So I did a little bit of online research. I can't find an actual place to look up these case serial numbers but it does appear that in most men's watches made after 1926 and before 1950, the first digit indicates the year. That is, the serial number beginning with an "8" in my case would indicate 1928, 1938 or 1948. In my case, I am obviously guessing 1938.
I assume there is more to it than that. Can you expalin what I'm missing?
Thanks,
Tom S.
In reply to HI, Kathy. So I did a little by tshanno
Yes the case serial # system is pretty simple indicating the year by the first #. However it doesn't tell you what decade it is from. So that is where we come in with knowing the styles of the decades and finding the model and what years they were advertised. So you aren't missing anything : )
In reply to Yes the case serial # system by Kathy L.
In reply to 1938 Bulova Dean, I like the by neetstuf-4-u
Thanks. I wasn't sure if it was original or not but I thought it was cool, too.
Unfortunately I think it might be broken. The clasp is complicated but I think its supposed to slide open without completely seperating. That's just a guess, though. If its right, it looks like someone with a large hand (like mine) had trouble getting it off and accidentally slid the two peices apart.
The two pieces stay together around my wrist well enough that it isn't a big issue either way.
Tom S.