Picked this up a few days ago. The black dial is what caught my attention. Obviously an M6 Accutron 214. I have only seen these identified as Accutron 214. With all the variations, I'm surprised Bulova didn't have names/letters for the variants. Or maybe they did. The inside case back is stamped 2387 9-6. Could these be model subcategories or do they mean something else?
I just read that the Ranfft database had the jewel count for the 214 at 15 jewels and the 218 at 13 jewels but, should be 17 jewels and 15 jewels. Not sure which is right.
In reply to I just read that the Ranfft… by Wynot
My understanding is that the 214 family is 17J and the 218 family is 15J.
Would be good if someone with actual Accutron experience can confirm or not.
In reply to My understanding is that the… by mybulova_admin
There was a 2017 conversation on Watch Talk Forum that discussed this question. The question was whether the pawl and index finger jewels should be counted, as "they're not used in nearly the same manner as what the others are".
214:
Index wheel....2 upper, 2 lower
2nd wheel.......2 upper, 2 lower
3rd wheel.......1 upper. 1 lower
Center wheel .....1 upper, 1 lower
4th wheel.......1 upper, 1 lower
index finger....1
pawl finger.....1
Chaton...........1
Total of 17 jewels
218:
Index wheel.....2 upper, 2 lower
2nd wheel........2 upper, 2 lower
Sweep sec........2 upper
Center wheel.......0
4th wheel........2 upper, 1 lower
index finger.....1
pawl finger......1
Total of 15 jewels
Thank you for posting your watch. Based on a 1966 Bulova Accutron "420".
Yep we have a linebook entry confirming this model to be the 1966 Bulova Accutron "420".
1966 Bulova Accutron "420"
1966 Bulova Accutron 420
I wanted to share and ask about something I just noticed. This M6 Accutron is stamped M6 on the pillar plate above the coils. That M6 is over-stamped with a vertical M9 to obscure it and has an additional M9 next to it. Why?
In reply to I wanted to share and ask… by Wynot
It's possible the watch was serviced by Bulova back in 1969.