Bulova 1977 Accutron Quartz

Submitted by drimer on
92818
Manufacture Year
1977
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Rectangle
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

A Bulova Accutron Quartz, gold tone rectangular dial, gold tone bracelet. The Caseback is marked Bulova base metal case N7 on the outside, and *694 swiss case L260 use bulova cell 247 on the inside.  Dial is marked T JAPAN T.

The closest model I could find is 92818 (marked in the vintage ads), but the 92818 uses a Swiss quartz, and is fully stainless steel. My model is Japanes movement + base metal.  Can anyone find out the model number for this variant?

Front shot of a 1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz
Back shot of a 1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz
Movement of a 1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz
Inner caseback of a 1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz
An color advert showing the 1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz
An black and white advert showing the 1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz
neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 16, 2023 - 6:53am

Hi Drimer; welcome and thanks for posting your watch. Based on the ad text directly above, I think you nailed it. 92818 (gold-tone) case would be plated base metal with champagne (gold) dial..

1977 Accutron Quartz "92818"

gets my vote. I believe yours is a first for the database.

drimer
Posted August 17, 2023 - 3:06am

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

Thanks! but what about the discrepancies? the 92818 is supposed to be stainless steel + Swiss quartz. Mine is base metal + Japanese quartz... Have I bought a frankenwatch?

JimDon5822
Posted August 18, 2023 - 10:40pm

In reply to by drimer

The model 91802 is stainless with Gold tone trim but the 92818 says Gold tone with champagne dial.

Geoff Baker
Posted August 16, 2023 - 9:29pm

Agree - 1977 Accutron Quartz 92818

Kathy L.
Posted August 18, 2023 - 11:40am

1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz "92818"

JimDon5822
Posted August 18, 2023 - 10:39pm

1977 Bulova Accutron Quartz "92818" is a good match.

drimer
Posted August 21, 2023 - 1:17pm

Thanks everybody.

Regarding my concerns - this model has a very low online presence, and that made me suspicious. A few similar ones popped up, but they had no Japan marks on the dial. I don’t remember where I got the notion about this model having a Swiss movement. Perhaps I saw a different model with similar features.

As for the stainless steel issue, I guess that the 1977 ad takes a little bit of liberty, as ads tend to do (probably Truth in Advertising laws were less harsh back then, too). Probably just the bracelet was stainless steel. I have come across other vintage watches that had stainless steel bracelets paired with base metal cases, though I can’t really say that I understand the logic behind this choice. If you go for durability, go all the way, fellas.

Finally, some good news. On my most recent search I found the second colorway of that 1977 model, photographed for sale online. The dial on that watch is marked T Japan T too! The marks on caseback are also the same as my model. I think that pretty much wraps it up as far as verification goes, right?

 

probably the 91802 Bulova Accutron Quartz Angle 01

​probably the 91802 Bulova Accutron Quartz Angle 02

​probably the 91802 Bulova Accutron Quartz Angle 03

​probably the 91802 Bulova Accutron Quartz Angle 03

drimer
Posted August 21, 2023 - 1:25pm

Correction: the marks on the caseback of the second colorway are not the same. It is marked "stainless steel case". So, I'm confused again. why is mine (the all gold tone) base metal?

neetstuf-4-u
Posted August 21, 2023 - 2:43pm

In reply to by drimer

Model is determined by case and dial color. They are 2 different watches that are the same shape. Yours is gold plated base metal, making the case yellow... Bulova didn't plate stainless steel with gold. With this particular case style, any watch that is fully gold plated is base metal. A watch like the second you picture is stainless steel and white in color with a yellow bezel ring per the ad, and a different model. "Stainless Steel OR Gold-tone"

Model 91802 is stainless and white with a yellow bezel ring and silver dial

Model 92818 is "gold tone" (Plated base metal) with a champagne dial.