Bulova Date Codes

How old is your Bulova or Accutron watch?

The information below will help you determine just how old your vintage Bulova or Accutron watch is.

American Standard - Bulova case serial numbers: 1917 - 1923

The table gives the approximate production year for watches before 1924 based on its case serial number. The table is based on research by panel member Alex and is further explained in his books “Bulova Antique Watches, 1917-1921” and “Bulova Art Deco Ladies’ Watches, 1922 – 1930”.

Case Serial Number (first 3 digits)	Approximate Year	Case Signature	Case Signature Style
250 – 273	1917		Signature 1: The “V” signature American Standard W.C.Co. with a serial number placed in a V
274 – 299	1918
300 - 399	1919
400 - 404	1920		Signature 2: Same as signature 1, now with the serial number in a straight horizontal position
100 – 102	1920		Signature 3: The “Globe” signature
103 – 108	1921
109 – 1091	1922
1091 - 119	1922		Signature 4: The “Shield” signature
120 - 135	1923
136 - 159	1924

NOTE: As new information comes to light this table will be updated.

Bulova movement date codes: 1924 - 1949

Between 1924 and 1949 Bulova used a date code symbol on their watch 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.

The following table will help you date your vintage Bulova watch movement.

Bulova ladies watches case date codes 1940 - 1949

Case serial number starting with the following letter:

Bulova and Accutron case date codes: 1950 onwards

Watches produced after 1949 have an alpha-numeric date code on the outside back case and or movement.

The following table will help you date your vintage Bulova and Accutron watch movement and case. 

Pre 1950 Bulova watch movement date code stamps