Hello My Bulova,
I am trying my best to determine if my 1963 Accutron SpaceView is original. I have been doing research, but have not come across another with the 'E' engraving at 6 o'clock. Do you know what this is? Many thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
--Chris
Hello polarbear1990, welcome to myBulova and thanks for sharing your Spaceview. It is difficult to determine the originality of an Accutron Spaceview and honestly I am not an expert. I did a quick look though our dB and notice several different letters and numbers on the movement, I do not know the significance. Perhaps on our our followers can chime in. I have seen a list of case numbers (found printed inside the case back) that is at least a working list of the cases that were originally sold as Spaceview. I'm not sure where I saw it but could not find it just now. As most of the information we supply revolves around naming and identifying Bulova and Accuton the best I can say is that we will classify it as a 1963 Accutron Spaceview. It's a beauty.
.jpg)
.jpg)
That's a Bob Piker File photo from his sales website. It is quite possibly an M3 and the crystal is correct & hands are correct for an M1/M2 Spaceview movement. The early 5 solder point coil assembly in that pic would have come in either M1 or M2 movements so in those two years a stamped tuning fork 'would not be correct'(It's probably been replaced). If that movement was a M3 movement, the watch, if it was correct, would have a Cone Style Sweep second hand and the later 3 wire component assemble would have the transistor on the top, not the bottom and it doesn't so that tells me it's configured as an M1 or M2 Movement(visually). It wasn't until 1964 or so did 214's start showing up with stamped tuning forks. So if that watch is indeed correct, it would have an M1 or M2 movement without a stamped Tuning fork. And since the Movement layout appears to be an M1 or M2 layout, that would make that Fils sweep second hand correct for M1 or M2 movements, even if the case was 1963. It's a nice watch and almost correct. No telling what the date is on the Pillar Plate but if it was correct it would be either M1 or M2.
Thank you, I did indeed purchase this watch from Bob P. I can provide my own photo if I have broken any rules. I may try to open the case to gather more information. If I read this correctly, I'm afraid while the watch may be all authentic Accutron parts, they are not all original to the watch.
In reply to Thank you, I did indeed… by polarbear1990
Rarely all the parts on these Accutrons original to the watches. It would be hard to verify since 'spare' correct OEM parts look the same as ones that may have come from the factory on a watch. But the way the watch is configured is the way to tell if it's 'maintained' its original factory look. Although I will not comment on Bob P personally, that watch and bracelet are a lot more accurate than many he sells and most you see floating around the internet. If it would happen to have the correct M1 or M2 dated pillar plate and if that tuning fork wasn't stamped, you would have a near-perfect 1963 Spaceview "B" Yellow Dot. Even at the prices he charges, I wouldn't feel really bad about that watch. It's close.
Below are 3 of the 4 I own.These 3 Spaceview "B"s are M2's.
In reply to Rarely all the parts on… by SpaceviewM2
Thanks for your detailed comments.
I'm always in awe of the watches you have in your collection.
As many of us know, the finer details of the Accutron movements is certainly a specialised subject matter and skill in services and restoring which only a few have mastered.
Your informative comments are always welcome on myBulova.com
In reply to Rarely all the parts on… by SpaceviewM2
In reply to Only one of the three is… by Astronaut M2
There are other ways to determine if a watch is time period correct besides the main components, such as the screws used and their surface texture and shape as those aspects changed over the years, for example, the fork screws used from 1960 thru 1962 had a very rough, circular texture like machining on its face as if the metal was torn, there are many more...