In my father's collection of watches we came across a stainless (I believe, at least it's not rusted) Bulova Accutron, non day or date. Roman numerals. Bulova at the top. Accutron at the base of the display. I don't have it in front of me, but recall seeing M1 as a number under the case serial number. It uses a 395 battery. Also seem to recall the time adjuster to be centered, not low right when looking at the face. I am having my local jeweler clean it up and advise on further repair. The back had two circular access points - one for the battery and the other I don't know.
Will add photo later. But if any one can offer a suggestion to date and model, would be appreciated. Not concerned about value. It was my dad's and it is a Bulova, so it goes nowhere except to my son or daughter.
Sorry ID but just too many to choose from on the ID. a photo, clean and clear of the dial and back. Use the add a watch setting on the home page to add it to our dB and we'll do our best to give it a model name/number.
PS - as you probably know M1 is the date code for 1961, one of the first years for Accutron.
Also sounds like it has a '214' movement. Look forward to seeing it added to the site so we can properly review and ID it for you.
My knowledge did not include the fact M1 stood for the first year of the accutron. So that is pretty cool. Should get the watch back pretty soon and will post pictures. Initially, the jeweler was going to replace battery (which I could have done if that battery had been available locally) and clean it up some. If I want a more thorough job, say some restoration, he was going to provide me the address of some companies doing such. In my quest for a birth year (1959) watch did run across a guy on ebay who apparently does some nice restorations (watchworkusa). Might consider him, but this watch's finish is pretty dinged up from dad wearing it while working. He was a doodlebugger/seismograph driller.
In reply to My knowledge did not include… by ldhunter1959
Will be very interesting to hear back when the jeweler is done. Most jewelers and watchmakers today have no clue to a 214 movement. There is a trick to battery replacement in these watches. Several steps must be taken, hopefully the jeweler has the original manual. M1 is 1961 so its early Accutron 214 version. The original mercury cell batteries were banned by the EPA. So you must convert a new button cell to the correct voltage, I would suggest a #394 button cell battery a 395 WON'T WORK its too thin and won't fit for the ground. Like I have said a hundred times, modern day Jewelers have no clue to a 214 or 218 Accutron. So most simply give up and tell the customer watch is bad. I can't tell you how many of these Accutron's end up in my shop after a modern day jeweler screwed them up. Need pics to see what you have.
Good luck
John V. - Time & Again (specializing in Accutron service)
In reply to Will be very interesting to… by JEV1A
Hi, I'm an Accutron fan as I remeber them from my youth and my kids gave me a space view conversion for Father's Day. Big Tiny Rice fan too. I recently bought a new, non working one. It does have a battery in it (394 with a spacer I believe) and the person I bought it from said it would occasionally tick if you tapped it. I confirmed the existing battery was 1.5v (the tester showed it to be slightly more). I'm not opposed to getting it serviced but if there is a simple battery thing going on I'd love to know about it. I did upload pics to the identification page but no determination has been made yet.
Thanks!