Compatibility of Bulova movement parts

[GregG]

I have a Bulova 11AN watch that is running well with the exception of a missing ratchet wheel screw.  If you search on eBay for "11AN ratchet wheel screw," I can find one person in Australia selling the piece for almost $50 total. 

I tried searching Jules Borel for compatible pieces but I could not find anything.  I don't know if that's due to incomplete data on their end, or if its truly not compatible.

I found this lone forum post from 17 years ago talking about how Bulova movements are coded.  First two digits are ligne size, second two are family, and everything after that is just features, like D = date, C = center seconds, A = automatic, etc.

This suggests that the base of all 11AN-series movements are the same, plus or minus some parts for added functionality.

I found someone selling a ratchet screw for another 11AN-series movement $20 total.  Can someone confirm if these Bulova parts are compatible?

Thanks

[Kalanag]

Go to this site and search for „Bulova 11AN“: Ranfft

You then can visually compare the different movement versions. You also can compare the mainspring sizes. For me it is more than likely that all have the same mainspring and therefore the same barrel arbour and ratchet wheel screw.

Edited July 1, 2022 by Kalanag

[Nucejoe]

Have you visited the web page      " ask your question"         on www.mybulova.com . 

[WatchMaker]

Don't go spending $50 on a single screw just based on the fact that a seller's description happens to match your particular movement! Good advice already given should guide you to something more reasonable I hope.

Also consider screw assortments. https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/all-kinds-mixed-screws-wristwatch has bailed me out more than once.

There are also ratchet screw specific assortments. https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/ratchet-wheel-screws-wristwatch-assorted will get you 100 screws in eight different thread sizes.

[GregG]

1 hour ago, WatchMaker said:

Don't go spending $50 on a single screw just based on the fact that a seller's description happens to match your particular movement! Good advice already given should guide you to something more reasonable I hope.

Also consider screw assortments. https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/all-kinds-mixed-screws-wristwatch has bailed me out more than once.

There are also ratchet screw specific assortments. https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/ratchet-wheel-screws-wristwatch-assorted will get you 100 screws in eight different thread sizes.

Trust me, $50 was never gong to happen lol.

Thank you for those links.  I think the ratchet screw assortment is pretty much bang-on for what I need.

Though, where do you see that is comes in 8 different thread sizes, or is that personal experience from buying the same set?

Edited July 1, 2022 by GregG

[WatchMaker]

On 7/1/2022 at 1:07 PM, GregG said:

Trust me, $50 was never gong to happen lol.

LOL! Some sellers do try it on a bit don't they! 

On 7/1/2022 at 1:07 PM, GregG said:

where do you see that is comes in 8 different thread sizes

The link I mentioned takes you to the Ratchet Screws Assortment (Cousins item S37245). Click on that item and it will take you to more detail that covers the eight thread sizes.