Bulova 1971 Accutron SpaceView

Submitted by pcarl2201 on October 27, 2023 - 8:22am
Manufacture Year
1971
Movement Model
Uncertain
Movement Date Code
N1
Case Serial No.
F33138
Case shape
Other
Case color
Two-tone
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Bulova Accutron two tone, asymmetrical case with 14K gold overlay

Front face of watch showing dial and case
Side of case
Case back
Case back
neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 27, 2023 - 10:03am

Very nice watch, but I'm stumped. It appears to be a jeweler conversion of a dialed Accutron into a Spaceview.  This could be assigned as "Spaceview" noting it's a conversion as that happened a lot, my question is how to date it and what did it start out as? I looked through the linebooks and can't find this asymmetrical  case with yellow gold overlay used after the very early 1960's. Here is one. There appear to have still been a few back set Accutrons in 1971, but not in this casing that I can find. I wonder if the back  (dated 1971) might have come from a later period watch.

One of the other members may have more luck hunting this combination down, I'm at a loss and still looking. I have been through the linebooks from 1960 to 1971, and the only depiction of this two tone back winding casing is in the 1961 (below) and 1963 linebook. 

twotone backwinder

neetstuf-4-u
Posted October 27, 2023 - 10:39am

Well, that's a first for me. If it was indeed a sample watch to show the movement, that would explain the lack of inclusion in the linebooks as it wouldn't have been a variation offered for sale.. There is still the issue of the 11 year gap between the case and case back.

JimDon5822
Posted October 27, 2023 - 9:51pm

I have to agree that this is most likely a conversion.  I cannot explain the N1 date but in absence of any ad confirmation I am fine classifying it as a 1971 Bulova Accutron Space view.  

mybulova_admin
Posted October 28, 2023 - 6:28am

Is it possible to see the date stamp on the 214 movement as well as the case model stamp on the inside case back.

This will certainly help us determine the true nature of the watch.

pcarl2201
Posted October 28, 2023 - 7:09am

I am not experienced at all when it comes to opening an Accutron case.   The watch is running perfectly and I would hate to mess something up by trying to open the case back.   

Kathy L.
Posted October 29, 2023 - 9:29am

Bulova did a Spaceview "E" in yellow and "F" in white, in solid 14K gold like this in the 1963-67 linebook.  I did not find one in overlay so I would assume this is a conversion.

1971 Bulova Accutron Spaceview

JEV1A
Posted November 12, 2023 - 8:07pm

I've seen a hundred Spaceview Cases but never this one in my shop. A word about Jeweler "Samples". There is a difference between authorized Bulova Accutron Sample Watch's and any Jewelers Samplers. Usually Bulova samples were non-working and not to be sold to the public. Now a jeweler could market a watch in every which way but because of script marketing Bulova frowned upon it. and there were Spaceviews everything... Deskclocks, Pocket Watches, Pendant Watches and Wrists in all cases imaginable. John V. -Time & Again 

mybulova_admin
Posted November 12, 2023 - 9:27pm

John, I've seen (and have a copy on site) a list of what is believed to be authentic Accutron Spaceview case models numbers. Do you have any additional information you can share that might help people determine what is and isn't an authentic Spaceview?