Don't miss the next drop
Bulova, one of the first companies to mass-produce wristwatches in the early 20th century, has made it easier than most to identify the production date. To save you some time, take a quick look at the case back of the watch; if you see a letter and a number, use the table below to identify the production year.
Bulova Models: 1950's - Present
While Bulova watches from the pre-1950s are difficult to date due to the lack of universal markings, models from 1950 onward are much easier to decode, thanks to Bulova’s systematic use of date codes. Starting in 1950, Bulova began adding a two-character alphanumeric code to both the case back and the internal movement of their watches.
Bulova watch case markings ( M3 = 1963 )
L | M | N | P | T | A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
1 | 1951 | 1961 | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 | 2021 |
2 | 1952 | 1962 | 1972 | 1982 | 1992 | 2002 | 2012 | 2022 |
3 | 1953 | 1963 | 1973 | 1983 | 1993 | 2003 | 2013 | 2023 |
4 | 1954 | 1964 | 1974 | 1984 | 1994 | 2004 | 2014 | 2024 |
5 | 1955 | 1965 | 1975 | 1985 | 1995 | 2005 | 2015 | 2025 |
6 | 1956 | 1966 | 1976 | 1986 | 1996 | 2006 | 2016 | 2026 |
7 | 1957 | 1967 | 1977 | 1987 | 1997 | 2007 | 2017 | 2027 |
8 | 1958 | 1968 | 1978 | 1988 | 1998 | 2008 | 2018 | 2028 |
9 | 1959 | 1969 | 1979 | 1989 | 1999 | 2009 | 2019 | 2029 |
Bulova Models: 1924 - 1949
Between 1924 and 1949 Bulova stamped a date code symbol on their movements to indicate the year that movement was assembled. Between the same years many Bulova watch cases also had a serial number that started with the number corresponding to the year of production.
If you’re hesitant to open the watch case to check the movement, you can visit a local watch repair shop and ask them to open it for you. Most jewelers will do this free of charge.
Bulova Ladies Models: 1940 - 1949
During the 1940s, Bulova used case markings on their ladies' watches to identify the year of production. Instead of a two-digit code, Bulova simply started their case serial numbers with a letter from A to J.
1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
Additional Resources
The Bulova collector community is extensive, offering numerous tools to help enthusiasts date and identify vintage pieces. Here are a few standout resources that can assist you in your research.
Search an extensive, curated database of Bulova models by year, movement, or style. You can also explore vintage advertisements to match your watch’s design.
A treasure trove of information for identifying Bulovas through case markings, symbols, and style trends by decade. Ideal for enthusiasts interested in both historical context and technical details.
Not our first recommendation when it comes to finding information on vintage watches, but it can be a useful resource for rare models.
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