Bulova 1976 Accutron Railroad

Submitted by mercurym on February 20, 2012 - 2:45pm
Manufacture Year
1976
Movement Model
2181
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
G3595
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

This Accutron says Railroad Approved, and it looks like a train ran over it. 

Scratches everywhere, and the crown stem is loose to the point of not turning the hands. I'm not nearly competent enought to even try resetting/re-attaching it. 

I can find no serial number on the movement, though it does read 2181, which I assume is the model number.  Also, at the top of the movement, there is extra-tiny print that reads, "U.S. Pat......." followed by a whole bunch of numbers that I absolutely cannot make out.  I think they are actually microscopic, and my electron microscope is in the shop.

The only other type I can find on the movement reads, "U.S.A. Bulova" 

The inside case back is stamped "G3595" followed by "3-6" and "Use only genuine Accutron Cell number 218   Install with engraved side down in well"

And that's it.  It's pretty beat up, but it's a Bulova.

 

Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
William Smith
Posted February 20, 2012 - 5:22pm

I don't know enough about accutrons to know if stating "railroad approved" on the dial would also alert me to look for some kind of marking on the movement...  Sure looks like a 1976 218 Accutron to me....unless this dial is indicative of a different movement.

oliverb
Posted December 12, 2012 - 9:33am

The G3595 number is the case number. The 3-6 number refers to the month and day of manufacture. The 2181 is the specific caliber/sub caliber of the movement. What you have is a 218 RR Approved Accutron. I seem to remember that Bulova never actually had the 218 movement officially certified by the railroads but I could be wrong about that. Bulova did have the 214 caliber officially certified.

William Smith
Posted December 17, 2012 - 2:32pm

ID changed from generic Accutron to "Accutron Railroad".  Also has a calendar function....:)