Bulova 1968 Accutron

Submitted by meldrewreborn on
Manufacture Year
1968
Case Serial No.
1-669905
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I bought this watch in 1969 second hand.  I used it for many years, but haven't used it at all recently. 

I always considered it to be for use on the railways but am not so sure about that now.

meldrewreborn front 23 sep 2020
meldrewreborn back 23 sep 2020
JimDon5822
Posted September 25, 2020 - 9:25am

I can't seem to find an exact match to this one after extensive looking.  Clearly a 1968 Bulova Accutron but unknown variant. It should be noted I have a similar period Caravelle with the exact dial set up. 

meldrewreborn
Posted September 25, 2020 - 12:50pm

I don't know if it helps or not, but i'm in the Uk and bought the watch in London.

JimDon5822
Posted September 25, 2020 - 4:04pm

Thank you for the local.  Possibly this could be an International model of Accutron.  Bulova made extensive models with large numbers of variants. It seems the line books we have for this period don't have the Accutron like some of the other years.   I could not find a match in the ads.   It is not unusual for us to find models without ads or confirmation hence the large number of unknowns we have and continue to ad.  Great watch and very attractive.   I believe there is a good Accutron service center in the UK.  You definitely want to have it serviced before putting a new battery in.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted September 25, 2020 - 6:57pm

I come up empty on a name as well. Good observation Jim. Serial number on case back starts with "1 -", which seems to be a good indication it is a European produced "International" model. It may be a watch that won't show up in any ads or line books we have as it wasn't potentially sold or advertised in the US.

If it's a crossover model sold / produced both in the US and Europe, we may at some point find  a name. Until then;

1968 Bulova Accutron is the best I can narrow it down.

Beautiful watch, by the way. Thanks for sharing it.

Geoff Baker
Posted September 25, 2020 - 9:54pm

Certain Accutron were approved to be used by American and Canadian railroad lines. The Models were all noted on the dial to be Railroad Approved or RR, all had 24 hour markings on the dial. Additionally the Canadian version had "0" in place of the "12" like this one. 

At this time I would note this as a 1968 Bulova Accutron without noting a further variant or model designation, it's a very nice looking watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted September 26, 2020 - 7:11am

I'm wearing my 1968 Accutron now which came out of America and also has a case serial number that starts with a '1-', so I'm not sure if that is an indicator of international.

Generic 1969 Bulova Accutron with a 214 movement is about as good as I can find, but I'll check some literature I have on Accutrons shortly to see if this version pops up.

JEV1A
Posted September 28, 2020 - 8:52pm

214-0 Movement Swiss Dial M8 1968 Bezel sub-second ring on dial Accutron Logo at 12:00 position.... case possibly from Bulova's West German partner

John V. - Time & Again

Astronaut M2
Posted September 29, 2020 - 3:09pm

SwissSwiss

 

meldrewreborn
Posted September 30, 2020 - 7:45am

Wow I think that is absolutely conclusive.  Thank you so much for your help.  I have the original box, albeit without inserts or leaflets and the clasp is the original (though the strap needed replacement long ago).  I've noted the details down so that those who inherit the watch in the future have some better clues as to its history.

 

Many thanks once again, especially to Astronaut M2 for the picture and definitive model number.