Bulova Tank 7ak manual movement

[roso1979]

I have had this Bulova Watch since I was a 10 year old boy, im now 26, the watch recently has started to get a little temperamental, it now starts and stops as it pleases, I opened up the watch the other night for the first time ever, to my amazement I found on the inside of the case amateurish engravings, roman numerals which look like they translate as 1911, a date of 1927 and also a series of numbers and letters, maybe theses are the birth date, the year the watch was purchased and also maybe a ID number of a soldier etc, what a little piece of vintage history !!!… I love this watch, im wanting to find out what could be wrong with it and get it fixed…



If the watch stops and I give it a little tap it will start again for at least a few moments and will stop again, Can you help ??

[JohnF]

Hi -

First of all, get it to a watchmaker! It sounds like something that you are attached to, letting it destroy itself by neglecting it is something you'd regret.

And post some pictures when you get a chance... we all like pictures...

Best regards,

JohnF

[Ray MacDonald]

I have had this Bulova Watch since I was a 10 year old boy, im now 26, the watch recently has started to get a little temperamental, it now starts and stops as it pleases, I opened up the watch the other night for the first time ever, to my amazement I found on the inside of the case amateurish engravings, roman numerals which look like they translate as 1911, a date of 1927 and also a series of numbers and letters, maybe theses are the birth date, the year the watch was purchased and also maybe a ID number of a soldier etc, what a little piece of vintage history !!!… I love this watch, im wanting to find out what could be wrong with it and get it fixed…



If the watch stops and I give it a little tap it will start again for at least a few moments and will stop again, Can you help ??
I agree with John that you need to get the watch serviced. It is giving classic signs of need for cleaning and lubrication.
The marks you see are previous service dates probably. If it's 1927 you have a very early Bulova.Can you post a picture?
Update: Checking the Ranfft archive 7AK is a late 1940s or early 1950s movement (ETA 735).

[roso1979]

sorry i know nothing about this subject, what would i expect to pay for a service, Im from manchester, england, does anyone know of a place i could take it??

[Ray MacDonald]

sorry i know nothing about this subject, what would i expect to pay for a service, Im from manchester, england, does anyone know of a place i could take it??
Just guessing as I'm in Canada but somewhere around 50 GBP should do it. We have a few UK members who could advise you better. (Quoll?)
If you have a small local jeweler nearby that might be a place to start.

[JohnF]

Hi -

Google is your friend:

http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/shops/clocks.html

gives you a brief overview of watchmakers and jewelers in Manchester.

This site:
http://www.watchrepairman.co.uk/index.html

quotes around 25 quid for basic cleaning and 30 quid starting for more work than that.

I have no connection with them, but might be a starting point.

These folks even have a web site to get you started:

http://www.goldpointjewellers.com/serv03.htm

Let us know how things work out!

JohnF

[quoll]

Just guessing as I'm in Canada but somewhere around 50 GBP should do it. We have a few UK members who could advise you better. (Quoll?)
If you have a small local jeweler nearby that might be a place to start.

Roso - Hi and welcome to the forum. I certainly agree that you need to have it serviced.

I am from the SE of England so I can't help with Manchester specifically I'm afraid, but I found my watchmaker by calling a load of independent jewellers in my area. As far as prices go, I have a local watchmaker who charges £30 GBP for a clean, service, balance and regulate (assuming no parts are needed). I think that is on the good value side, but not spectacularly so.

We would love to see pictures if that is possible...