Bulova Case/Crystal reference needed

[got2watch]

Hi, anyone have a source to match a Bulova crystal with a specific case number?  Looking for the Bulova-specific crystal part number (or GS if they made it).

Specifically a Bulova case Q526 (PO date code, 1980)

Thanks

 

[AndyGSi]

Welcome to the forum.

Looks like a standard flat crystal so you just need to measure it.

Edit

Had a quick search and it's not clear which yours will be so can you post photos.

Also have you any experience of working on watches?

Edited April 6 by AndyGSi

[got2watch]

Thanks Andy.

Yes, been restoring vintage watches for 15+ years.  I know how to measure/order a new crystal, and will do that as last resort.  But I know that there are still original Bulova crystals out there.  I just need to know the Bulova part number for it, based on my case number.  It's the reference material and documents that are scarce, finding the number is the hardest part in my experience.

Best,

[AndyGSi]

In my experience you'll only find a Bulova Part No. if it's a special crystal.

[GuyMontag]

15 hours ago, got2watch said:

Thanks Andy.

Yes, been restoring vintage watches for 15+ years.  I know how to measure/order a new crystal, and will do that as last resort.  But I know that there are still original Bulova crystals out there.  I just need to know the Bulova part number for it, based on my case number.  It's the reference material and documents that are scarce, finding the number is the hardest part in my experience.

Best,

I believe Bulova's last case part catalog was the 1979 supplement. There may be a more recent one (seems like there should be) but I haven't seen it. Unfortunately, the highest 'Q' series case in that catalog is Q519. Some of the 'Q' series watches did take a crystal with the same numbers as the case, but not all of them.

Edited April 7 by GuyMontag

[AndyGSi]

Would be good to see a photo of the watch along with any other details.

[got2watch]

Thanks Guy and Andy.

I haven't opened it up yet to start restoring it, but when I do I'll pop back here with an update.

Thx

[got2watch]

Ok, an update. I've attached some pics showing the dimensions of the crystal in question.  As you can see it's quite thick at 4.9mm.

I haven't found a decent match yet with GS catalog, I may end up having to grab a few that are close and apply trial/error at this point.

Any recommendations from some of you with a heavy vintage Bulova background would be appreciated.

p.s. The bezel is in good shape but would not turn at all.  Were these bezels fixed?  It did come off after soaking it a while, along with a rubber gasket inside, which makes me believe it is supposed to turn and is held in place by a thick o-ring (?).

Thanks.

 

 

[GuyMontag]

These Bulova's will often have a tension ring with a step or cutout where the dial will fit, just in case you are going to try a 3rd party crystal, so be sure and check that. That dial looks somewhat similar to the 1979 Oceanographer '12503', but without the 'Day'. A lot of the '666' Bulova's were Oceanographers or Snorkels.

I've been keeping a database of pre-1980's Bulova crystals and it has two 30.2mm armored crystals; 1404AW (Oceanographer 'C' - link has a good photo of the crystal profile) - which I have a note saying that there is a GS crystal PA462-19D, and the 762AW. I think all three of those are currently on ebay, but if the tension ring is stepped it may be an issue. I've had mixed success swapping an existing stepped tension ring into a correct sized crystal that came with a flat tension ring.

Edited Monday at 04:44 AM by GuyMontag

[AndyGSi]

6 hours ago, GuyMontag said:

which I have a note saying that there is a GS crystal PA462-19D

Looks like this is a good match but not sure about the curved edge.

 

[got2watch]

Thank you both for the reply and info.

Yes, part of my exploration is to account for the reflector ring.  I ordered a PA 462-19B (see pic) that will take a reflector ring.  Just got it today, and it fits just fine with zero wiggle room, but will not be pressure fit.  I'll have to resort to cement but should be fine as a fall back.  The height is close, 4.43mm vs 4.90 (orig).

I have had success in the past of shortening the circumference of a reflector ring by cutting and filing down the ends ever so slightly in order to fit it into a different crystal. So figured worst case I can go that route.

I will definitely look into the crystal info you both have provided.  In my restorations I try to keep it looking as original as I can as I'm sure others do.

Many thanks.

Btw, the PA 462-19B I got is labeled as 30.20 but as you see, not even close LOL.  Not sure about your experiences, but I've rarely ever obtained a vintage (new) GS crystal that measured right at spec with the packaging.  Curious about your experiences with that.

 

Best

[GuyMontag]

Hmmm, the Bulova 318A is a 30.0mm crystal, I wonder why GS has it at 30.2.