What do the numbers C837317 on the back of my ladies Bulova watch mean? The watch looks similar to the Bulova 98R98.

What is the question? This sounds like a manual watch the L9 stands for the date of production. You can look this up on the internet. Google Bulova code dates. L9 is around 1970's if not mistaken. It is also rolled gold plate one of the lower end watches. Most manuals are 17 jewels, the more the jewels the higher the price and worth.

put make model and any numbers into google.
or put more info on here.
or if you are asking were is the number on the watch you will have to take the back off it and see if there is a number in there.

Most likely...
Bulova 228 = S05 American Watch institute, USA: 357 (303)
Japan: SR44W .. (SR44SW)

Possibly...
Bulova 606‎ = S32 AWI... Energizer/Duracell 377 or SR626SW


from:

Which battery number may use in this watch bulova 96t63 thanks


and

Specialty Battery Finder

That it is a ladies watch manufactured in 1996.

i have a bulova same no. speidel pat. but the serial no. u lookin is different this one is 10kt rolled gold plate back.

A Bulova "M5" code would indicate that the watch was made in 1965. Vintage Bulova watches can be dated by this little alphanumeric code:

Lx = 195x Mx = 196x Nx = 197x Px = 198x Tx = 199x

Pre-1950 Bulova watches used a variety of symbols and numbers (e.g., 47 and 48 to designate 1947 and 1948) to show the model year of the watch. A chart of those symbols can be found here: http://www.manleyhorlogerie.com/Watch_History/bulova.htm#Bulova%20Date%20Codes

To find you watch, go to http://www.bulova.com/brands/bulova/product.aspx?origin=collection&sku=96P114&brand=bulova

This link takes you to the watch you want.

This is just a personal suggestion that I have.
It sounds like you have a vintage Bulova watch and unless there is a watchmaker near you who deals with vintage watches (they are hard to come by!) you will have to rely on the internet but it could be a time consuming project.
What I would do, is go to www.google.com , type in vintage 14 kt Bulova, or 14 kt Bulova, or similar combination, and click on the IMAGE link (second tab at the top of page) and it will bring up every image on the internet of 14 kt bulova watches, etc. Look for the one that looks like yours and then go to the site that has that photo.. It might be helpful
Whatever you do, you have a good watch, Dont get rid of it as the gold is valuable, even if the watch does not work.
Please let me know if this is helpful at all. JKN

You will need to contact Bulova or a local watchmaker. Here is a link for Bulova:
http://www.bulova.com/contact/contact.aspx
Good luck.

Contact Bulova for additional links, 800-233-3350. You will need the watch model number and the case number (it's in the back beginning with "C".