This is a ladies watch, purchased in 1978, apparently N2 on the case indicates 1972 vintage. I am told it is a 14K gold case and it bears a Speidel flexible band. It may be a "mini-accutron" model, and it has a similar case shape to the "K" model pictured in the 1972 ad attached, though the face of this watch is an oyster color and the band is gold. I would like help on two fronts. First, can anyone identify this watch more precisely as to model? Second, the watch sat for many years and was not running when taken to a local watch repairman. A new battery was installed, but it still did not run. He feels the movement is damaged. He says his source for movements gives no guarantee, and those movements are unreliable. He declined to even attempt a repair. He suggested I find a similar but working model with the same movement on eBay, I buy it, and he could swap movements.
Do the experts here agree with his assessment? Or can you recommend a watch repair service that can tackle this? - Thanks!
I would ID this as an Accutron Mini, the same as the "K" but will have a different variant and I have not been able to find it yet. They were very reliable movements and I think if you find a working replacement on eBay that is how I would go.
1972 Bulova Accutron Mini
In reply to 1972 Bulova Accutron Mini is… by Geoff Baker
In reply to I agree with the 1972 Bulova… by JimDon5822
Yes, this is very similar to my wife's watch. The overall case shape and dial color seem to match.
Closer examination of the back of our watch does seem to show an engraving that may read "14K GOLD CASE".
Our watch stick markers are gold and shiny at the edges, whereas the center of the stick markers have a dull finish that may well be a dark brown. The minute and hour hands also have a dull finish down their centerlines. The second sweep second hand is gold on our watch.
The #25822-8Y had a wholesale/retail price of $125/$250 back in 1972-73.
Most ladies Accutron Mini's had a model number of 'W-xxx'. This is one of those few that don't have one assigned.
A 73-75 linebook shows the black dial version as an Accutron 'W-134', so this one might be something close, along with it also listed as the Mini Accutron "K"....so might be the "J"...just a guess at this point.
I think that in 1971-72 when this watch was first released (IMO) it was probably given a letter designate. But as we are unable to find a n according 71/72 linebook entry to confirm I would agree with Jim's ID.
Here's a 1973 advert showing a number of Mini's
In reply to Solid gold clinches it for… by neetstuf-4-u
In reply to What exactly is a linebook?… by geofrank74
The Linebooks are internal Bulova company documents that were updated a couple times a year picturing and describing all the watches produced and available for sale to wholesale vendors for the given year. They usually list 2 prices for each model - wholesale and suggested retail. The Bulova Company Museum in The Empire State Building gave the Mybulova panel members exclusive permission to access them to help collectors with identification. The surviving linebooks date from 1955 to 1979. They are literally thousands of pages of documents - far too much data to add to the site. The MB volume of data would be overwhelming.
In regards to the ad, try downloading it to your device and enlarging it for better clarity.