Bulova 1961 Accutron

Submitted by bobyale on November 17, 2014 - 12:17pm
Manufacture Year
1961
Movement Model
214
Case Serial No.
D53471
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hello I am a first time Bulova Accutron owner:

I recently acquired a Bulova Accutron 18K Watch commissioned by Tiffany & Co (I believe) and was very curious about the engraving on the back as well as its provenance.

I am trying very hard to find if the Tom Watson Jr. inscribed on the back is the same man who was 2nd president of IBM (1952–1971). The period of 1960 - 1962 was very important in both Bulova's history, as well as IBM's. 1961 is the period indicated on the back of the watch and coincides with IBM’s runout of the IBM 7030 computer. The first example of the IBM 7030, also known as Stretch (IBM's first transistorized supercomputer) was delivered to Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1961.

If this watch has a relationship to this Tom Watson Jr. I'm also curious whether the watch was given to him, or given by him.

I have enclosed some photos for your reference.

I am also interested in having the watch tuned up and appraised in the Southern California area and would greatly appreciate any suggestions or referrals to quality horologist/watchsmith here.

Many Thanks,

Bob Martz

[email protected]

Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
Jim Townsend
Posted November 17, 2014 - 7:01pm

This is Watson in 1962 Could that be the watch he is wearing?

Jim Townsend
Posted November 17, 2014 - 7:08pm

Looks to be no crown on this watch and this year came with a leather strap i belive. Very cool watch no doubt.

mybulova_admin
Posted November 17, 2014 - 7:18pm

Wow very cool time piece. Notice the lack of the Accutron symbol in place of the Tiffany&Co.

This is an early model and would have cost a great deal of money back in the day.

ID wise its a generic Accutron, but hopefully we can further narrow down the model number.

bobbee
Posted November 18, 2014 - 3:44am

Very nice watch!

Well spotted Jim that the man's watch has no crown, which narrows the field regarding the make.

The watch looks to utilise the "602" case, with custom dial and hands provided to Tiffany.

 

Geoff Baker
Posted November 18, 2014 - 6:38am

Hi Bob - welcome to myBulova. WOW it's an amazing watch you've brought us to covet. Just the thought that it could be associated to 'that' Tom Watson Jr. is a lot of fun. Documenting the connection could prove to be a challenge. I'd start with the seller that sold it to you and try establish where / how they acquired it. It's a long shot (there must be many people that bear the same name) but it could prove to be a rewarding trip. I have a watch that I can tenuously link to a very famous sports figure, unfortunately I just can't document it.....

ID wise I'm going with Accutron for now.

bobyale
Posted November 19, 2014 - 8:08pm

You guys are great! Thanks for the info so far. I actually obtained it on auction from a very nice guy who owns a pawnshop and he said privacy forbids him to tell who pawned the watch. Much of the circumstantial evidence makes a fairly good case that Tom Watson Jr. of IBM fame either gave the watch or received it. I had one person say he probably gave it because Tom was used in the engraving rather than Thomas. It has been interesting so far trying to discover the provenance. The watch runs and I have a video of that, is it possible to post a video I made myself on this forum?

Thank you,

Bob Martz

mybulova_admin
Posted November 21, 2014 - 9:59pm

In reply to by bobyale

 

Best bet for videos is to post it on YouTube and then place a link to it here.

JP
Posted November 20, 2014 - 6:41pm

Bulova Accutron 214.

bobyale
Posted November 20, 2014 - 8:32pm

In reply to by JP

Thank you:

Within the 214 Series how am I able to identify which caliber movement is utilized?

Caliber Movements

214H

214HN

2141

2142

2143

 

Many thanks,

Bob