1969 Bulova Accutron Stainless Steel Astronaut Day/Night dial and hand set. Day/Night Bezel was replaced with Stainless steel at some point. Full service in 2025 new crystal and hack spring. Currently averaging +1.1 s/d when worn on left wrist 24 hrs/day. Re-phased for 387S battery. 3rd party leather strap. (The second hand, despite having the correct shape and dimensions, has questionable black paint on the short side and center pivot area)
Beautiful watch with distinctive lugs. 1969 Bulova Accutron Astronaut "F" as shown in the 1966 Linebook.
OK this is tricky the dial matches the Accutron T (note the extra lume arrows between the hour markers) but, as Jeff states the bezel is not correct (replaced?)
However, here is the Astonaut N from the same linebook (1969 BAWD0170)
Question is: What's more likely, a replaced bezel or a dial swap? I'm inclined to ID as 1969 Bulova Accutron N
In reply to OK this is tricky the dial… by Geoff Baker
Thanks for the input Geoff. Yes that is exactly the dilemma. I was told by the person I bought the watch from that he was told the bezel had been replaced but not during the 2025 servicing. The reason I leaned towards the “T” designation is that BOTH the dial and handset appear to be those used on the ”T”. It seemed more likely that a SS bezel would be an easy swap to replace a damaged Day/Night (especially since the day/night bezel is incredibly difficult part to obtain). Changing out both the handset and dial on the “N” model is a much more involved process.
Of course I have zero proof either way but that’s what makes this hobby both frustrating and fun. I really wish we had access to Bulova records that kept track of the serial numbers (movement and case) and matched those to the exact model originally carrying those numbers.
Unless we have an exact linebook match to a known variant I suggest that we cannot assign a variant, as to do so suggests that this watch entry is that model with assigned variant.
For now, I say we ID as a generic 1969 Bulova Accutron Astronaut.
In reply to Unless we have an exact… by mybulova_admin
That makes perfect sense to me. Thanks.
It is a gorgeous watch! I agree generic is the best ID unless an exact linebook match is found.
1969 Bulova Accutron Astronaut