Hello panel of experts!
Looking for help identifying the year and model of this Bulova watch. While my husband appreciates new/expensive watches, have been falling in love with the older more storied pieces as of late. I purchased this watch through an estate sale recently and the surviving spouse knew nothing about the lot of watches.
The watch states Bulova Acctron on the front with the 'tuning fork' icon and a date display. The case measures at 26mm (with a ruler) and the small dots above the hour markers are glow in the dark in addition to the hands. The back (clockwise) says BULOVA, water resistant, patented, stainless steel back and "4 6379" is stamped in the middle. The inside of branded bracelet says stainless steel and "6081" in a little rectangle (not pictured).
I've looked through all the ads on your site and can't seem to find a match to this peculiar shape and colour. ChatGPT seems to think it's circa 1974 but doesn't have any substantial proof to back it up.
Thank you in advance for your help and expertise :)
Nice ad pickup, Stephen. I will agree with
Bulova Accutron model 22851-0Y
Based on case s/n, I believe this is a non-US model with no apparent date code. It may be date coded on inside of case back. If the first time it appears in linebooks is 1976, I think that's a good default date for the watch if it's not opened.
You guys are phenomenal!! THIS IS SO COOL. thank you for finding out so much info already! What an awesome community!!!
Is the 1976 linebook something that I could access myself and flip through? Also, does the "185.00" indicate it was $185 in 1976?! That seems like a lot!
Thanks again!
In reply to You guys are phenomenal!!… by aabbott22
In reply to So glad we could help. With… by mybulova_admin
Thanks to the resources on this website, I also identified and purchased a 1989 "46L17" Caravelle by Bulova watch at auction for $26. It was listed as having a rhinestone bezel but the catalogue I found on here confirmed that there are actually 8 (tiny) diamonds on the bezel!
I appreciate this website so much <3 I think I've just become both a picker and a watch collector over the past week!
In reply to Thanks to the resources on… by aabbott22
The $185 is suggested retail in 1976, that's the equivalent of $1,082 in 2026 based on inflation.. The linebooks are internal Bulova documents that we have been given permission to view to help people ID their watches. The amount of info/hard drive space is so great that we are unable to upload on site, so at this point only panel members have access.