Accutron Astronaut questions

Submitted by lectin on October 12, 2020 - 12:56pm

Hello everyone!

I am starting to search for my first Accutron Astronaut and I could use some opinions on what to look for.

1) Are certain dial colors rarer than others?

2) Are some bezels more desirable? (night/day vs. regular, silver vs. gold)

3) Does the bracelet matter? Is there a standard version that came with it or were there a large variety?

This information would help me better understand which models I should be ready to step up for pricewise. 

Thanks!

 

BlackbirdM3
Posted January 2, 2021 - 12:06pm

Since no one has answered any of your questions, I'll take a shot. I should warn you however, Astros are a bit of a rabbit hole and its a rather broad topic.

1) Dial Variants

Simple: (Regular) Nearly identical to the standard dial but with no dots of any kind at the half-hour markers; may say 'Accutron', 'Bulova Accutron' logo at 12, or in late 1962/early 1963 may say 'Accutron' 12 'Astronaut' 6 on it, The factory black variation dials are of an early "1st gen" type and a late "2nd gen" type with the only difference between the two being the 1st gen (first dial used with the new all SS Astronaut) has no luminous paint over the hour markers and the 2nd gen does have luminous paint over the hour markers but neither has dots of any kind at the half-hour markers. The "Simple" factory black variation 1st gen dials have been confirmed to be used on the first stainless steel Astronaut M2 watches; available in silver, black. used only on first-year USA Type 1 variants.

Simple: (Luminous) Nearly identical to the standard dial but with luminous paint over the hour markers and no dots of any kind at the half-hour markers; may say 'Accutron', 'Bulova Accutron' at 12 or in late 1962/early 1963, available in silver, black. used only on first-year USA Type 1 variants. The black dials are a satin/flat black

USA Standard: (Luminous) Painted 'Accutron' logo at 12, luminous painted over the hour markers, luminous painted dots at the half-hour markers; may say 'Accutron' or 'Bulova Accutron' but always says 'Astronaut', available in black and silver, used only on USA Standard Type 1 variants

USA Enhanced: (Luminous) Applied "Accutron" logo at 12, Applied trapezoidal markers at 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11; available in black, silver and gold; applied markers match case color, used only on USA Enhanced Type 2 variants.

Ultra: (Luminous) Applied "Accutron" or "Bulova Accutron" logo, Applied diamond-shaped markers at 3, 6, 9; Painted 'Astronaut', available in gold only, used only on Ultra Enhanced Type 2 variants.

Day/Night: (Luminous) Applied Accutron logo; Applied arrow markers at all hour positions, Painted 'Astronaut', available in black, silver; used only on Type 3 variants.

Swiss Enhanced: (Luminous) Painted Bulova Accutron logo at 12, Painted "Swiss" at 6 or Painted "T Swiss T" at 6, luminous painted Applied rectangular hour markers, Painted 'Astronaut', available in black, cream; used only on Swiss Enhanced Type 4 variants.

Swiss Standard: (Luminous) Painted Bulova Accutron logo at 12, Painted "T Swiss T" at 6, luminous painted over the hour markers, luminous painted dots at the half-hour markers; Painted 'Astronaut'; available in black and silver; Swiss Type 1 variants. The black version is a gloss black rather than the normal flat/satin black that the US versions have.These are somewhat rare. 

2) Bezel Variants

Standard Stainless Steel: Bare metal stainless steel with engraved black numerals and half-hour indices; used on USA and Swiss Type 1 variants.

Swiss type 1, looks identical to the standard stainless steel type 1, but the "4" is different. The US version has an open 4, and the swiss version has a closed 4 (Similar to the font I have used here.) These are VERY rare. 

Standard 14kt Solid Gold: Bare metal 14kt solid gold with engraved black numerals and half-hour indices; Filled and Solid Enhanced  Type 2 variants

Standard 18kt Solid Gold: Bare metal 18kt solid gold with engraved black numerals and half-hour indices; Ultra Type 2 variants

Day/Night: Fully enameled bezel face with 12 hours of white and 12 hours of black; stainless steel only; used only on Type 3 variants.

Swiss: Fully enameled black bezel face; stainless steel only; used only on Swiss Type 4 variants.

The cases have some variation as well.

USA Stainless Steel: Standard lugs, used with all USA stainless steel Astronaut Type 1 or 3 variants.

Swiss Stainless Steel: Standard lugs, used with all Swiss stainless steel Astronaut Type 1 or 4 variants.

 There is a VERY rare version that is totally different from the normal swiss type 1 and 4 cases. It is the 339 case. The lugs are different then all other Astronaut cases and the side band is narrower. The lugs are a little bigger AND they are not rounded, but, instead they have a single angled facet that separates two semi flat faces. The straight cut band on both sides and middle of the bezel is noticeably narrower than the standard USA Astronaut case. The 339 case also uses its own crystal that is just a little different from the US version. These may be the most rare case of any Astro. It has its own part number. The only reason I know this is because I have a complete 339 Astro, with the swiss dial, bezel, case back that is printed 339, with the 339 crystal. 

14K Filled: Covered lugs, used only with the 14kt Gold Filled Enhanced Type 2 variants.

14K Solid: Covered lugs, used only with the 14kt Solid Gold Enhanced Type 2 variant.

18K: Standard lugs, used only with the 18kt Solid Gold Ultra Enhanced Type 2 variant.

Hands:
White Spade: (Regular) Non-Luminous Bulova Accutron Hand Set P/N WS-25 and used only on the early "1st gen" stainless steel Astronaut M2 Type 1 variant. not available on Type 2, 3 or 4.

White Spade: (Luminous) Luminous Bulova Accutron Hand Set P/N WRdS-25 and used only on the early "Mid Year" stainless steel Astronaut M2 Type 1 variant. not available on Type 2, 3 or 4.

Baton Point: Luminous hour and minute hands are non-tapering, with an arrow tip; used only on certain Type 1 variants. not available on Type 2, 3 or 4

Spear: Luminous hour and minute hands are wide and tapered, with an arrow tip; used on some Type 1 variants, and all Type 2 and 3 variants.

Fils Seconds: Certain variants of Type 1 Astronaut with the simple black dial. not available on Type 2, 3 or 4.

Luminous Seconds: Certain variants of Type 1 and Type 3 Astronaut include a luminous seconds hand. Luminous seconds is not available on Type 2 or 4 variants.

Square: Certain variants of Type 1 Astronaut is known to use a large, luminous square with a pointed tip minute hand.

Arrow: Certain variants of Type 1 Astronaut with baton point hands include a rare luminous arrow hour hand. arrow hour is not available on Type 2, 3 or 4 variants.

Square Pitched: (Swiss) luminous hour and minute hands are wide and non-tapering, with a flat tip. square pitched hands are only available on Swiss Type 4 variants.

Stick Seconds: (Swiss) Non-Cone Seconds hand are only available on Swiss Type 4 variants. not available on Type 1, 2, or 3.

Index Arrow GMT: 24 Hour hand, luminous arrow tip, USA and Swiss Type 1, USA Gold Type 2, and USA Type 3 variants, not available on Type 4 variants. 

Goose Neck Index Arrow GMT: 24 Hour hand, luminous arrow tip, only available on Swiss Type 4 variants. not available on Type 1, 2, or 3.

Red Index Arrow GMT: 24 Hour hand, luminous arrow tip, USA Type 1 and 3 variants, not available on Type 2 and 4 variants.

As for which ones to buy, I think it comes down to what do you like. I got monumentally lucky when I bought my 339 Astro off ebay thinking it was just a US version and really nothing special. I liked the black dial, with the stainless case and bezel. I really wanted one because of their connection with the North American X15 program and the CIA's Lockheed A-12 program (The predecessor to the SR-71) and the fact that the Astros were used on a few of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. The style didn't matter, just the historical connection to aviation. The one I bought was the cheapest one listed, and didn't work.  

The day/night versions are more rare, and they bring a high price. The downside to these is that the bezel is often scratched or damaged, and finding a replacement is difficult. Fixing the damage to one is also difficult. As for black vs silver dials, They both look great, however the silver ones can degrade too looking almost a bronze or "blond" color. The gold ones are big $ because they are gold. If gold is your thing, you can get them with some pretty cool dials (the enhanced or ultra variations). 

The bracelets are again subjective. The early astros up to 1965 came with the coffin link ones, from '65 on with the "bullet" ones. That said, you could get an astro with a black leather band as well. They could also be swapped out at the time of purchase for any other Bulova/Accutron band/bracelet on hand for no extra charge. I don't have either band for either one of my two Astros (Swiss 339, and a normal US type 1 with a white redial that will be replaced when I find a correct dial for it.) I have to say the type 1s look really good with a black lizard skin band. I also have stainless steel mesh bands for them as well. 

I think the only way you can go wrong with an Astro is if you buy a frankenwatch built from various pieces, or if someone has done a bad "spaceview" conversion (There were no astro spaceviews) As long as you have the right case, the bezel, and a 214HN (for the 214 watches) you are good to go. Hands can be found as can dials, but they are not cheap, and don't grow on trees. The Swiss versions are far more rare than the US versions, but I can't say they are any better or worse, just different and harder to find spare parts for.

I hope that helps. 
 

lectin
Posted January 6, 2021 - 2:31pm

Thank you so much!