My Great Grandfather was a Master Bulova Watchmaker. I have thousands of watches/parts

How to add images to myBulova.com forums & comments

Submitted by romes55 on

Hi Everyone, I have been using this site for research for a few years now to identify watches/movements/parts I have, but never posted anything until now. This site and community is amazing!

So long story short, my great grandfather was a watchmaker from the 1920s-1980s. (Master Bulova and Gruen) a few years ago when my grandfather passed, we came across (what I will call) the entire contents of my great grandfather watch shop. I have thousands of watches/cases/movements/dial/tools, etc. 

I have over the past few years (in the little spare time that I have), been selling through various channels (mostly eBay) but wanted to reach out to the community here and see if there is any interest or if there is anything anyone might be looking for and I can take a look at what I have and workout some deals.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Thanks!

JimDon5822
Posted April 21, 2024 - 10:11pm

I only wish we had your great grandfathers stories.  For me I am looking for any emphemra such as catalogs or sales books.  I will keep you in mind but please do look at the forum where people post the parts they are looking for.   We appreciate you offering this to the group.  I do have a couple of parts needs.  The #1 thing I have been wanting is a bezel for my 1970s chronograph.  Also I need a some springs for the 10AH one button chronograh.  If you have parts for the 10AH or bezels please let me know.

mybulova_admin
Posted April 21, 2024 - 10:17pm

Parts are always a needed commodity and will continue to be so. Bulova excels in this area and it's great that your grandfather kept all the parts and didn't throw them out.

I'm sure members here would love to see what parts you have available. 

Is there any way you can catalog what you have, or do you simply have too many items to do so?

Perhpas I could place a contact email on the Watch Links page, so members could reach out with enquiries. 

MrRoundel
Posted April 23, 2024 - 11:05pm

It must be a lot of work to assemble workable lists of what could be  thousands of tiny watch parts. Thanks for offering to check your inventory. 

I'm fairly new to Accutrons. I have a few 218 series, and have had limited success on getting them running well. I just bought my first 214 series and it needs 3 obvious parts right off the bat. It's a RR style dial in a #2527 case. I need the factory crystal, # 1243-E1 (30.1mm), as well as a red sweep seconds hand, which should be #214-140 in red, and the center seconds pinion/washer, which is part #214-158. I don't know if Bulova matched these to watches based on case/crystal combinations, and I'm not certain of the height I need. I'll need to take it apart to get an exact length, so I'm hopeful that perhaps there is a call-out based on the case number. Anyway, thanks ahead of time for looking. Please PM me, if that's possible, or email if that is. I'm not sure of the mechanics of doing this on mybulova.com. Cheers. 

romes55
Posted April 23, 2024 - 11:39pm

Hi All, 

Thanks to everyone who has reached out so far! It been great to see all of the interest! I have had quite a few messages and still working to get to everyone that has reached out. If I haven’t responded to you I will very soon! 

I am trying to come up with a list if everything I have. One example of a challenge I have, is I will open a small box and it’s a part and no idea what it goes to. Watches I have and moments will be easier and I am currently updating that. 

More to come!

Thanks again!

heathers
Posted May 3, 2024 - 2:20pm

Do you have any ladies watch bands, romes55? I am specifically in search of ones with no base metal. Stainless steel, rolled gold and 10/14k are all good. Adjustable or around 5.5" (my wrist is 6").

Thanks!

romes55
Posted May 3, 2024 - 5:17pm

Hi, I have a lot of  ladies watchbands. All sorts of metals, colors. Also, lots of ladies watches. 

Send me an email and I can send you a bunch of photos if that works for you. 

I have a apple Hidden relay email address which is: 

roaster-caffe.0k@icloud.com

Thanks!

hancdc1
Posted May 6, 2024 - 2:57pm

My Uncle was an Accutron watchmaker through the 80's as well. I'm interested in seeing your men's watches.  I emailed your above address. 

JEV1A
Posted May 7, 2024 - 12:31am

I'm writing a article now for NAWCC Magazine on the Accutron 214 Spaceview and general knowledge on the Tuning Fork movement. I could use your help if he left notes or any dissertations on the Accutron. You will receive credit. I really need first hand knowledge. Deadline is May 13th. 

Thanks 

email centralhsd@earthlink.net 

John V.

Time & Again  

JEV1A
Posted May 7, 2024 - 12:25am

Did he work with the Accutron Tuning Fork team? 

John V.

Time & Again

hancdc1
Posted May 7, 2024 - 7:30am

No, my uncle had a retail shop in Jacksonville. He sold and serviced Accutrons. 

romes55
Posted May 7, 2024 - 11:46am

Hi John,

I haven’t come across any accutron notes either. My great grandfather started around 1919, so while he did work in accutrons and I had/have some watches and parts that wasn’t the focus by any means. 

If I do I will let you know!

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