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My grandfather’s watch

J
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Hi everyone—

I was recently given my grandfather’s 1957 Bulova self-winding wristwatch. He’s been gone 20 years but the watch is still ticking and I plan to give it to my son who was named after him. Never knew the watch was still around, but needless to say it was a very pleasant and meaningful surprise.

I did have one question——The service history is unknown. When in motion the watch seems to make a fairly audible winding noise (doesn’t sound like a rotor moving, more like the sound the crown makes when it is turned). A watch repair store said that this was normal and wouldn’t be less audible with a service. They said it’s keeping pretty good time and not in need of servicing yet. I was wondering if anyone can confirm the winding sound issue. Thank you!
 
16A82E12-9BCE-4902-BA44-26404A862F6D.jpeg
redpcar
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Would need to see the movement but some of the Bulova's were (are) pretty noisy. Take a quick pic of the back. There might be a date code mark there.
 
savka
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Nice watch! And lovely find. Tough to comment on a sound through the forum, but I’d recommend a service regardless of how well the watch is keeping time if it was just sitting for the past 20 years.
 
wagudc
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That is a very nice Bulova, and a great memento from your grandfather.

If you think your on will be wearing the watch, I recommend a service. It may run reasonably well, but whatever oils were in the watch have gone bad. Using the watch will cause premature wear. I know some shops will say wear it until it stops running, but I prefer to keep my watches properly maintained to prevent parts from wearing out.

To find out more about the watch, you can spend some time here:

https://mybulova.com/

Here are the date codes @JwRosenthal was talking about:

https://mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes

Once you find the date, you can look at the advertisements from that date and figure out what model you have.
 
JwRosenthal
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wagudc wagudc
That is a very nice Bulova, and a great memento from your grandfather.

If you think your on will be wearing the watch, I recommend a service. It may run reasonably well, but whatever oils were in the watch have gone bad. Using the watch will cause premature wear. I know some shops will say wear it until it stops running, but I prefer to keep my watches properly maintained to prevent parts from wearing out.

To find out more about the watch, you can spend some time here:

https://mybulova.com/

Here are the date codes @JwRosenthal was talking about:

https://mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes

Once you find the date, you can look at the advertisements from that date and figure out what model you have.
@redpcar gets the credit for the date code recommendation but since the OP said it was 1957, then we can assume he saw L7 on the back and figured it out.

Any competent watchmaker can service this and parts are abundant on eBay in the form of NOS or whole parts movements for these. If a watchmaker says they can’t get parts for it, find another watchmaker.
 
wagudc
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@JwRosenthal is right about the parts availability. These were l quality everyday man's watches, not luxury, so there are lots of parts around. The recommendation to wait on the service is not bad advice, although my preference is to service
 
J
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I appreciate all the input gentlemen. Definitely helpful! I’ve called a few shops and it seems $300 minimum is what I’m going to need to pay (not including parts). Does that seem in line with what you’d expect?
 
J
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wagudc wagudc
That is a very nice Bulova, and a great memento from your grandfather.

If you think your on will be wearing the watch, I recommend a service. It may run reasonably well, but whatever oils were in the watch have gone bad. Using the watch will cause premature wear. I know some shops will say wear it until it stops running, but I prefer to keep my watches properly maintained to prevent parts from wearing out.

To find out more about the watch, you can spend some time here:

https://mybulova.com/

Here are the date codes @JwRosenthal was talking about:

https://mybulova.com/bulova-date-codes

Once you find the date, you can look at the advertisements from that date and figure out what model you have.

Thank you!
 
Waltesefalcon
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Location is key to cost for servicing. In my neck of the woods I wouldn't pay $300, however, if I lived in a large metropolitan area I'd happily pay that.
 
JwRosenthal
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J jpranwei
I appreciate all the input gentlemen. Definitely helpful! I’ve called a few shops and it seems $300 minimum is what I’m going to need to pay (not including parts). Does that seem in line with what you’d expect?
Let us know where you are in the world and we can make some recommendations. As Walt said, it’s very location dependent as a a major metro area watchmaker has much higher overhead and $300 isn’t out of line for a 3-hander. There are many good watchmakers you can send it to in more rural areas who will do it for a little to a lot less. The issue of cost for service is a hotly debated topic around here.
 
Larry S
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J jpranwei
I appreciate all the input gentlemen. Definitely helpful! I’ve called a few shops and it seems $300 minimum is what I’m going to need to pay (not including parts). Does that seem in line with what you’d expect?
Yes … That’s quite reasonable. Movement only. Nothing else. Make sure you drive that point home.
 
J
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Let us know where you are in the world and we can make some recommendations. As Walt said, it’s very location dependent as a a major metro area watchmaker has much higher overhead and $300 isn’t out of line for a 3-hander. There are many good watchmakers you can send it to in more rural areas who will do it for a little to a lot less. The issue of cost for service is a hotly debated topic around here.

I see—I’m in Phoenix, Arizona.
 
Rolehex
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Beautiful watch! My older Bulova makes a good amount of noise as well but I would recommend a service as others had mentioned.
 
KnoP
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fine watch, unfortunately my granddads weren't into watches. my dad sterted but likes gold, hopefully "it" will fit my wrist any day.
congrats to yours and the history of it!!
 
J
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KnoP KnoP
fine watch, unfortunately my granddads weren't into watches. my dad sterted but likes gold, hopefully "it" will fit my wrist any day.
congrats to yours and the history of it!!

Thanks!
 
J
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Rolehex Rolehex
Beautiful watch! My older Bulova makes a good amount of noise as well but I would recommend a service as others had mentioned.

I ended up getting it serviced. Hope to get it back soon!
 
Rodsch
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I also have had 2 bulova' s. Quite noisy also but didn t need to Service them as the accuracy was ok
 
JwRosenthal
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J jpranwei
I ended up getting it serviced. Hope to get it back soon!
Good move- it will last you another 60 years now (although you should get it serviced about every decade if you wear it infrequently- every 5 for daily).
Also, if you want to update the style, don’t be married to brown or black leather. Colorful suedes and fun reptile patterns can really make these gold watches pop.
 
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