Bulova 1961 Accutron

Submitted by jeffreywlee on December 29, 2017 - 9:11am
Manufacture Year
1961
Movement Model
214
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
D33209
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I believe this is a 1961 Accutron Alpha model. It is solid 14KT yellow gold with a coined dial. I do not know much more about it. My grandfather gave me this and two other Accutron watches recently so I figured I would post them on here to find out more about them. I do not want to take the watch apart until I know exactly what I am doing.

Regards,

Jeff

Bulova Accutron Alpha
1961 Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
1961 Bulova watch
mybulova_admin
Posted December 29, 2017 - 8:42pm

You are a lucky guy to inherit such wonerful pieces from your grandfather.

This is indeed an early Accutron, with them being introduced a year earlier in 1960.

Bulova Accutron advert

Geoff Baker
Posted December 30, 2017 - 8:14am

This one is very nice, I would heartily recommend NOT trying to service an Accutron unless you have vast experience as a watchmaker specializing in the model. There are way too many things that can go way too wrong. A watch this special needs service by a highly trained watchmaker. 

neetstuf-4-u
Posted December 30, 2017 - 8:41am

Wow, nice one! You are very fortunate, your grandfather had excellent taste in watches.

jeffreywlee
Posted December 30, 2017 - 9:38am

Thank you all for the comments. I will not be servicing these myself. Don't worry. Also, I did not realize I left the case description as 'round' when I submitted this watch. That will need to be fixed to whatever this shape is called. Here are some photos from yesterday. I took these to a watchmaker to be opened...

jeffreywlee
Posted December 31, 2017 - 9:36am

Does anyone know of a watchmaker that specializes in Accutrons? I live in the Seattle area but am willing to ship this for service. The guy I took this to said he could put a battery in but will not service them because they are so finicky. He gave me the name of Jerry’s Watch Repair on the corner of 3rd and Pike. Has anyone had experience with them?

Has anyone had experience with Martin Marcus at www.Accutron214.com? He gave me a quote of $325+ parts for servicing each of my 1961 & 1963 Accutrons. He also can do the Spaceview Conversion for $195 (includes SV crystal, spacer ring & white luminous hands). All original parts are returned to me with the watch.

There are several others online that claim to specialize in Accutron repair & restoration but I want your feedback first. 

mybulova_admin
Posted January 1, 2018 - 10:18pm

Not having any experience with having these serviced I'd be interested in your feedback when you do find someone as we can then recommend a repairer/servicer to anyone else in the same position. Unlike normal mechanical movements, Accutrons require additional knowledge of the inner workings and the do and don't.