I bought this on ebay. Described as "working". We will see. Described by the seller as, "Bulova Accutron Sputnik Day Date 18k Gold Plated". II don't have the watch yet, the pics I upload are from ebay. The crystal is pretty scratched and I was told by someone that this crystal is sapphire. I plan to replace it. Curious about the crystal and if there are sapphire repacements available?
Your watch is a 1971 Bulova Accutron Date and Day AO. Full Advert HERE. It appears to be in pretty good, original condition.
I don't know why the internet (and many eBay sellers) insist on calling this watch "Sputnik'. Sputnik was a basketball size satellite launched by the USSR in 1957. The shape of the object was round as is and was 99% of all men's wrist and pocket watches produced so it certainly wouldn't have been the shape of THAT object that served as a name for THIS watch as this watch is asymmetrical and not exactly round. Further (sorry, here comes my pedantic side) I would point out that Retired FIVE Star General of the United States Army (the last man to hold that post) Omar Bradley, was Chairman of the Bulova Board of Directors when this watch was produced. I seriously doubt that he would have allowed a Bulova Accutron watch to be named after a Soviet satellite that almost single handedly started the Cold War AND the Space Race a full fourteen years earlier.
In reply to Your watch is a 1971 Bulova… by Geoff Baker
In reply to Thanks! Where might I look… by TJCPGH
In reply to Open the case - there is … by Geoff Baker
In reply to Your watch is a 1971 Bulova… by Geoff Baker
1971 Bulova Accutron Date and Day AO is a good match. Nice example. I do not believe the crystal would have been sapphire. Most likely acrylic or mineral crystal. I use a light fine grit 1000 and 2000 grit sandpaper to remove scratches from acrylic. Then Polywatch (or toothpaste) to buff out the crystal to a shine. Mineral would need to be replaced.
I also have a Bulova Accutron "Sputnik" model, caliber .2181. I don't know any other name. Should you wish to replace the glass: in case you happen to come across a separate case during your search for another glass, I would be interested. Perhaps we could buy a defective one together, and you the glass and I the case? I suggest we stay in touch!
I did add picturtes of rthe movement and the inside of the caseback. The crystal is (I'm pretty sure) NOT acrylic. So mineral glass or sapphire. I guess. The crystal is pretty scratched and they would have had to work hard to scratch a sapphire crystal this much.... If you or anyone knows the right crystal part(s) to order please let me know. On preliminary observation it is keeping time verywell. And the original bracelet fits my biggish (7.5") wrists well. All for $300 plus shipping. I think I did ok espectially with no need for immediate service. As allways, thanks for the help.