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Bulova Accutron
The Bulova Accutron was first sold to the public in November of 1960.
Few developments in timekeeping technology created a stir as the
introduction of a watch that used a tuning fork as a timing standard rather than a rotating balance. Eight years in development, the Accutron had only 12 moving parts and 27 parts total, compared with 26 moving parts and 130 parts total in a typical self-winding
mechanical wrist watch.
Even today, some 40 years later, the Accutron continues to fascinate
vintage collectors and non-collectors alike. There is a whole division
of collectors which collects nothing but Accutrons, and most collecting generalists have at least one Accutron in their possession. Their desirability can be attributed to several factors:
* During the Accutron’s heyday from 1960 to about 1970, only about two
million units were sold. By today’s standards, this is certainly a
limited production, and even more limited when you consider the number that have been thrown away or cannibalized for parts.
* It is an incredibly durable watch. Many are the Accutron that have
been laying in a dresser drawer for years that started and kept good time by just installing a new power cell.
* They are accurate and require no winding. Timed properly, Accutrons
are supposed to neither gain nor lose more than one minute per month.
Prior to the Accutron, it was unusual to find a mechanical watch of this accuracy, even a certified chronometer.
There are six models or permutations of Accutrons, but the two
considered most collectible are the model 214 and 218, and these are the only ones that will be discussed here. They can be distinguished quite easily by the fact that the 214, which came out first, has the set mechanism in the back of the watch. It is a small semi-circular lever that is lifted with a fingernail. The 218 is distinguished by a conventional crown along the side of the watch, located at the
4 o’clock position.
The 214 is considered the more desirable watch because there are fewer
of them, and the stylistic “crown-less” case increases its appeal among collectors looking for the unusual.
Bulova introduced the 218 in 1965 and gradually phased out the 214 for
several reasons. One, the 214 wasn’t set up for a calendar. Two, the
setting arrangement proved to be a little awkward for some people. Also, the setting mechanism made the case a little bulky -- the 218s could be made thinner with the side-setting crown. So the 218 offered a sleeker case and more functionality.
Not surprisingly, there are more of 218 models not only because of the
improvements, but because they had a longer production run. Various
models of 218s were produced until 1977, when Bulova ceased production of all tuning fork watches in favor of quartz.
With the 218, however, consumers could no longer change their own
batteries, unless they possessed a spanner wrench to remove the case
back. This was perhaps no accident. For one thing, if you accidentally put the battery in upside down, you risk cracking the coil assembly.
Accutron Models
The Spaceview is undoubtedly the most popular type of Accutron. It is
almost always found in the 214 variety rather than the 218. The 218
Spaceview was almost solely produced for promotional purposes and few were released to the general public. The 214 comes in two varieties - the “original” and the “converted.” The factory originals are much scarcer than the converted ones, and usually are seen with a thin chapter or “reflector” ring under the crystal containing a minutes track. A plain crystal was affixed with a small tuning fork logo and the word “Accutron”, both decaled on the back surface of the crystal.
Another variation of the factory original Spaceview utilized no
reflector ring and a special crystal decaled on the back side with 12 dots. Between each dot were five hash marks (slashes) denoting the minutes.
Factory Spaceviews usually have white hands (in various styles and with a luminous insert) and white, orange or red sweep second hand. This is so they can be seen more easily against the darker color of the movement.
Of the hundreds and hundreds of Accutron case styles manufactured over
the years, only 42 were designated by Bulova as factory original
Spaceview cases.
Converted Spaceviews. As the name implies, these Accutron started out
as “normal” watches with a standard dial, and then were converted to
Spaceviews afterward. Many were converted at the Bulova factory up until the early ‘80s, but many more have been converted since that time by independent technicians with access to the proper parts. In fact, it’s generally recognized that the number of conversions performed at the Bulova factory pale in comparison to the number of conversions performed by independent technicians since the
factory stopped doing them!
Conversion are generally recognized by no reflector ring and crystals
that have 12 dots (and no minute markers) decaled on the underside. Proper conversions also include the installation of factory-manufactured white hands with a luminous stripe made specifically for a Spaceview.
Other Accutron models that are considered very collectible are:
The "Alpha". This 214 model was one of the first Accutron models introduced in late 1960. It has an unique “acorn” shaped asymmetrical case of either solid 14kt yellow or white gold. As shown, this was also one of the first models offered as a "Spaceview".
The "Astronaut". This comes in a 214 version (far left) with a rotatable bezel ring; and a 218 model (near left) with no bezel ring and a secondary hour hand that can be “jumped” by a crown in order to tract time in a second time zone. The 214 model pictured at left has a rarer style 'day and night' rotating bezel. They more typical model has a stainless steel bezel. Models were also made with a solid 14K gold bezel and a solid 14K watch and associated bracelet was also produced.
The "Railroad", made in both 214 (pictured at left) and 218 versions. Seen with a white dial and black numerals, and usually the words “railroad approval” appear on the dial. Models with additional 13-24 numbers in red were also produced. A rare grade 218 style was made for the Canadian market which has the numbers 0-11 in bold black and 12-23 in red.
The "Pulsation" manufactured in both the 214 and 218 (shown at left) version for physicians. It contains markings on the outside diameter of the dial for pulse-taking. Case material was 14K yellow gold and perhaps 18K yellow gold. Considered very scarce.
Any of the asymmetrical case styles - and especially those in solid
gold - are generally considered premium. Shown at left are two versions of the model '521' - one of the very first Accutron produced in late 1960. Undoubtedly influenced by the asymmetrical Hamilton line, this model was produced in both yellow and white solid 14K gold. Considered scarce.
Another rare Accutron asymmetrical model is shown at left. A very close copy of the Hamilton "Regulus" electric model, this Accutron was produced in stainless steel with an associated bracelet. At least two versions are known, one with a dark gray dial and a day/date, the other with a blue dial and date only.
Any of the so called "Diver's" models are also popular. The model at the far left is reasonably common and feature a two color rotating diver's bezel. The model at the near left is much rarer and has the look of a typical mechanical diver's watch.
The caliber 218 world time model with inner rotating cities of the world ring. Same stainless steel case as the diver's model, this model allows the wearer to determine the time in 24 cities around the world.
Perhaps the rarest Accutron of all was this attempt to capitalize on the LED and LCD watches of the late 1960's. This direct read version of the Accutron was apparantely a total failure in the market in few exist today. I have seen two of these in the last 10 years, both with original bracelets.
Batteries
The original mercury batteries produced for these watches are no longer manufactured, and have been replaced with silver-oxide batteries. The 387, used in the 214, is now replaced by the 387S. The 343, used in the 218 model, now uses the 344. In both instances, the slightly higher voltage (1.5 versus 1.35) causes some Accutrons to run erratic, usually very fast. When this happens, corrective measures can usually be undertaken by your technician. Some technicians are also using customized 387S and 344 cells that have a
small circuit board attached to them that reduces the voltage to 1.35.
A few tips in handling your Accutrons:
* Remember that when replacing the cells, the positive side always goes down, whether it’s a 214 or 218.
* If disassembling an Accutron to replace a battery or crystal or to
switch cases, be very ,very careful with the mechanism. Avoid touching the coils if possible, as you risk breaking the fine wire and shorting out the coil (replacements are virtually non-existent; they must be cannibalized from other Accutrons). Also avoid turning the seconds hand backward, which can easily damage or destroy certain internal parts.
For a more in-depth look at Accutrons, an excellent web site can be
found at: http://www.iinet.net.au/~fotoplot/acc.htm.
by Bruce Shawkey
additional text by Don Baker
images by Don Baker
We are still working on the individual histories of each manufacturer, as time permits. If you'd like to submit a manufacturer history, let us know and we will credit you as being a contributing author.
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