Bulova 1969 Accutron Astronaut Mark II

Submitted by plainsmen on January 4, 2011 - 10:35pm
Manufacture Year
1969
Movement Model
218
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
G219192
Case shape
Cushion
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This gents... is the 1969 Bulova Accutron Astronaut Mark II.  The Accutron "Astronaut Mark II" series consistes of two models.  The hour hand of both models may be advanced or backed-up in exact one hour increments by setting the second crown.  In additon a reference hour (addition second red hand) will continue to display the home-base time.  The top crown is for "jumping: the red time zone hand only. They came in Gold with a Gold dial and Stainless Steel with a Black dial. This is obviously the Stainless Steel with Black Dial. I got this particular watch of ebay and you wouldn't believe me if I told you for how much.  I replaced the battery and it started humming (the noise an Accutron makes) but the hands arn't moving so it'll be a trip to the watchmaker for this guy. This is how the original crystal looked when I recieved it:


I polished the crystal with a shammy and some Brasso for a bit and the results are below.

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1969 Bulova Accutron Astronaut Mark II
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Stephen Ollman
Posted January 4, 2011 - 10:52pm

WOW!!

Nice work Plains. Is that the same watch?

This came up extremely nice!

Good work and good photography.

plainsmen
Posted January 4, 2011 - 10:58pm

Your liking my the light box arn't you the Stephen?... heh.

Thanks man... I think it turned out pretty good!  I was very suprised that crystal cleaned up so good.  I watched a movie with the wife and just sat there working the brasso over and over.  I was hoping the seconds hand would just take off... but to no avail.  Really cool Accutron HUM though!

OldTicker
Posted January 5, 2011 - 12:11am

Nice Find Plains,

Bet your wife was wondering why is he rubbing the crystal of that dam watch and not me?

plainsmen
Posted January 5, 2011 - 12:14am

Haha... probably the opposite!  She's glad when I'm attacking a watch instead! 

Stephen Ollman
Posted January 5, 2011 - 12:20am

WHAT, you telling me that's the same crystal and all you did is polish it? That's awesome!

Are you serious....Brasso hey...gonna get me some of that for my Lone Eagle!!

plainsmen
Posted January 5, 2011 - 12:26am

Yep.... just brasso, a cloth. and some elbow grease.  I'd say it took about an hour or so. I don't know if I'll buy nother crystal again unless they're overly discolored or damaged.  If this works all the time.

Stephen Ollman
Posted January 5, 2011 - 12:34am

I have now learn't something useful today....hats off to you Mr Plainsmen!

Lone Eagle here I come.

OldTicker
Posted January 5, 2011 - 1:19am

That must be a Plastic Crystal and not glass, I have never been able to clean up a glass crystal like that even with a dremel...

plainsmen
Posted January 5, 2011 - 8:56am

Yep... plastic crystal.  I don't think glass would buff like that at all, but plastic will.  I did it with a plastic president crystal someone had jacked up with a dremel before.  Still a little messed up in 1 spot that I will work on but pretty good otherwise.

Yeah... plastic.

cataro1971
Posted January 6, 2011 - 9:26pm

 Brasso?......¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lo venden en la tienda de la esquina!!!!!....ok.