Bulova 1974 Chronograph

Submitted by Geoff Baker on
31010-2W
Manufacture Year
1974
Movement Model
14EHAD
Movement Date Code
N4
Movement Jewels
17
Case Serial No.
6924
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

The Bulova serial number on the back is 6924.  The Heuer serial number (between the lugs) is 275757.  The Bulova model number inside the case back is 7605. The Heuer model number (between the lugs) is 1163 V. New bracelet added that is very close to the original

**Note - I purchased this watch from Frank in January 2024  -  New photos added 6/17/24

FOR SALE
1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 1 06 18 2024
1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 2 06 18 2024
1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 3 06 18 2024
1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 1 06 18 2024
1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 5 06 18 2024
1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 1 06 18 2024
JimDon5822
Posted December 10, 2023 - 5:40pm

This appears to be a 1974 Bulova Chronograph Model #31010-2W.  Quite a rare one indeed.

74 Chronograph

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 10, 2023 - 5:59pm

Agreed.

 1974 Bulova Chronograph Model #31010-2W. looks to be a match

The double stamped case interior is quite curious. Can you tell what the "scratched out" stamping is? Can you please upload a photo of the exterior case back?

mybulova_admin
Posted December 10, 2023 - 10:14pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

If you see Geoff's example, you'll see that it's not crossed out, but rather just aother element of the double stamp.

Bulova Chronograph #31010-2W case back

Geoff Baker
Posted December 11, 2023 - 7:28am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Well - it's BOTH a double Bulova stamp and the words Heuer-Leonidas 'crossed out". As I explain in the watch I linked below, Bulova did not make these watches, they were rebranded Heuer-Leonidas watches. When this particular watch was stamped with the Bulova name and case number it WAS double stamped. Heuer-Leonidas was renamed as TAG Heuer after Techniques d’Avant Garde purchased the company in 1985. HERE is an article with an advert showing this watch as an Autavia Heuer. Typically the Autavia model sells a couple thousand more than these Bulova models even though the Bulova seems a bit more rare. The story of the development of this movement found HERE is the story of The Chronomatic/project 99 Consortium, uniting Heuer-Léonidas SA, Léon Breitling SA, Hamilton-Büren and chronograph specialist Dépraz & Co to develop the worlds first micro rotor self winding chronograph. Tag still uses this very same movement in their Monaco watches.

PS - these cases have two serial numbers, one from Heuer between the lugs and one from Bulova on the back. They also have two case numbers, 1163 from Heuer (found between the opposite lugs) and 7605 from Bulova inside the case back.

Geoff Baker
Posted December 10, 2023 - 9:17pm

I once read that there were less than 500 of these watches made. I think this is the rarest of the 1970's Bulova Chronographs. The crossed out stamping in the case back said Heuer-Leonidas who was the original manufacturer of this watch. You can read all about it in the description of the watch in THIS  record (of my watch). If you scroll down far enough you'll see a clearer photo of the inside of the case.

1974 (only year it was made) Bulova Chronograph 31010-2W

PS -serial number IS 6924 (I'll update the record). Is it possible to get the numbers stamped between the lugs too (both sides)?

Geoff Baker
Posted June 17, 2024 - 9:03pm

I purchased this watch from Frank in December 2023 - Updating and adding photos.1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 7 06 18 2024

1974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 8 06 18 20241974 Bulova 31010 2W Geoffrey Baker 9 06 18 2024

mybulova_admin
Posted June 18, 2024 - 11:17pm

I didn't realise that these housed an automatic movement. Were do they house the pendulum?

Geoff Baker
Posted June 19, 2024 - 6:53am

Excellent question. This is a page from the 14 EFAD movement which is almost the same. Both were based on the Heuer 11. Note that the chronograph portion is completely separate from the base.

Bulova 14EFAD

mybulova_admin
Posted June 19, 2024 - 7:14am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Ah there it is. That makes sense. I did read that they basically attached the entire chronograph mechanics to the top of an existing movement.