Bulova Accutron dating

Submitted by ldhunter1959 on August 14, 2020 - 1:11pm

In my father's collection of watches we came across a stainless (I believe, at least it's not rusted) Bulova Accutron, non day or date. Roman numerals. Bulova at the top. Accutron at the base of the display. I don't have it in front of me, but recall seeing M1 as a number under the case serial number. It uses a 395 battery. Also seem to recall the time adjuster to be centered, not low right when looking at the face. I am having my local jeweler clean it up and advise on further repair. The back had two circular access points - one for the battery and the other I don't know.

Will add photo later. But if any one  can offer a suggestion to date and model, would be appreciated. Not concerned about value. It was my dad's and it is a Bulova, so it goes nowhere except to my son or daughter.

Geoff Baker
Posted August 14, 2020 - 7:15pm

Sorry ID but just too many to choose from on the ID. a photo, clean and clear of the dial and back. Use the add a watch setting on the home page to add it to our dB and we'll do our best to give it a model name/number. 

PS - as you probably know M1 is the date code for 1961, one of the first years for Accutron. 

mybulova_admin
Posted August 16, 2020 - 3:37am

Also sounds like it has a '214' movement. Look forward to seeing it added to the site so we can properly review and ID it for you.

Astronaut M2
Posted August 17, 2020 - 12:34pm

Yes, it sounds to be a 1961 Accutron 214 watch...

Would need to see a picture to tell you more about it...

 

ldhunter1959
Posted August 17, 2020 - 1:17pm

My knowledge did not include the fact M1 stood for the first year of the accutron. So that is pretty cool. Should get the watch back pretty soon and will post  pictures. Initially, the jeweler was going to replace battery (which I could have done if that battery had been available locally) and  clean it up some. If I want a more thorough job, say some restoration, he was going to provide  me the address of some companies doing such. In my quest for a birth year (1959) watch did run across a guy on ebay who apparently does some nice restorations (watchworkusa). Might consider him, but this watch's finish is pretty dinged up from dad wearing it while working. He was a doodlebugger/seismograph driller.

Astronaut M2
Posted August 19, 2020 - 9:38pm

In reply to by ldhunter1959

Chose wisely who you send an Accutron to for work as they are not like most other watches...

mybulova_admin
Posted August 19, 2020 - 5:55am

Actually the first year or production for the Accutron was 1960, but one from 1961 is still fantastic.

JEV1A
Posted September 7, 2020 - 1:15pm

Will be very interesting to hear back when the jeweler is done. Most jewelers and watchmakers today have no clue to a 214 movement. There is a trick to battery replacement in these watches. Several steps must be taken, hopefully the jeweler has the original manual. M1 is 1961 so its early Accutron 214 version. The original mercury cell batteries were banned by the EPA. So you must convert a new button cell to the correct voltage, I would suggest a #394 button cell battery a 395 WON'T WORK its too thin and won't fit for the ground. Like I have said a hundred times, modern day Jewelers have no clue to a 214 or 218 Accutron. So most simply give up and tell the customer watch is bad. I can't tell you how many of these Accutron's end up in my shop after a modern day jeweler screwed them up. Need pics to see what you have.

Good luck

John V. - Time & Again (specializing in Accutron service)