18k gold Astronaut - Swiss movement
Bought at auction in UK - Jan 2015
Nominating the "D" variant based on the strap mount. The "E" variant has a gold adjustable band.
1961 Bulova Accutron Astranaut "D"
Sure is... 1961 Bulova Accutron Astronaut D
Not a '61 Astro D. Its later than that. The case back is incorrect. The movement is incorrect. The dial is incorrect. Here is why. Until Joe Walker exceeded 100KM altitude in July of 1963, the Astronaut wasn't called the Astronaut. Bulova didn't add the "Astronaut" name until late '63. Until that time, it just said Accutron on the dial. Next up, its a swiss M4 214H movement. This is obviously a swapped movement as it should be a 214HN, and in '64 there was a Swiss 214HN movement from the 339 version of the Astro. The first year of a gold Astro was 1964. The possibility of the watch coming with a Swiss movement is there, but, it would have been a 214HN and not a 214H.
I will agree that its an Astro D, its not a '61, and does have the wrong case back, and likely a replacement movement.
In reply to Not a '61 Astro D. Its later… by BlackbirdM3
Thanks BlackbirdM3, I agree that it is a Frankenstein as all those things you mention ring true. I guess it was simpler to replace movements than repair them . At least the gold is real :-)
Actually in deeper digging, here is a 1964 Ad that shows it as an Astro C.
