Bulova 1967 Accutron Calendar

Submitted by AllThingsMustPass848 on February 20, 2019 - 3:32am
O
Manufacture Year
1967
Movement Model
218
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
B60939
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I recently inherited my grandfather's watch from 1967. The 5 star insignia immediately caught my eye, and upon a quick google search I found a Hodinkee article about 5-star Accutrons. The article explains how 5-star US general Omar Bradley, then-chairman of Bulova, would wear hese watches for a few days before they were given as gifts by Bulova. 

My grandfather was elected president of a mattress company called Southern Cross in 1965. They were doing very well in 1967, so it stands to reason that he may have been the recipient of a nice gift from another big company. Unfortunately, the recession in 1968 hit them hard and derailed their plans to build two new factories. My grandfather was also a bomber pilot in WWII, but as far as we knew he had no connection to General Bradley

I have found no other information on this watch outside of the Hodinkee article, and niehter my grandfather or grandmother are around to answer any questions. It's somwhat mind-blowing for me to think that this is actually one of those 12 watches, but it's exciting prospect! What do you folks think? Thank you for your help! I'll post a link to the Hodinkee article below. 

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/five-star-general-omar-bradley-specia…

[Accustron_1967] Dial
[Accutron_1967] Bulova watch
[Accutron_1967] Dial
[Accutron_1967] Dial
mybulova_admin
Posted February 20, 2019 - 4:06am

It is wonderful to see this watch added to myBulova. Possiblly only the 2nd known example to still exist.

I'd love to hear the real story behind how your grandfather can about owning the watch, it's a true shame that story may never be known.

Can you check the date code on the back. Is it a M7 or M9?

Your serial number is F60939 and the watch referenced in the Hodinkee article is F68063

I also like how the engraving on both watches is a match, suggesting they were indeed from the same batch.

 

AllThingsMustPass848
Posted February 20, 2019 - 12:05pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

It is dated M7.

I also would love to know more about the watch's story. My grandmother passed away just this past weekend, and there's a chance that there's some paperwork hidden away somewhere among her belongings. I'll also be asking my aunts and uncles if they have any memory of the watch. And it's probably hopeless, but I'll keep trying to contact Bulova as well.

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 20, 2019 - 12:09pm

In reply to by AllThingsMustPass848

Keep asking and keep digging. Hopefully someone will have a memory of the events surrounding the presentation to your Grandfather. A letter or some other documentation would be outstanding, as would the box it came in. It might still exist somewhere in the house.

AllThingsMustPass848
Posted February 20, 2019 - 10:05pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

I'll be looking in every nook and cranny when I visit this weekend!

neetstuf-4-u
Posted February 20, 2019 - 7:15am

Wow, welcome to mybulova and thank you for sharing this amazing heirloom. Thank you as well for the education; this is a watch and great story I never knew existed.. I'm not quite sure how this should be ID'ed *(named), but it certainly deserves it's own catagory. I would call this a Bulova "Holy Grail" that most don't even know exists.

1967 Omar Bradley 5 Star Accutron

AllThingsMustPass848
Posted February 20, 2019 - 10:14pm

In reply to by neetstuf-4-u

How cool! This is fun. I wish he was here to answer all my questions, but I will update this page as I collect answers. 

Geoff Baker
Posted February 20, 2019 - 7:24am

Wow! I don't know what else to say. 

Kathy L.
Posted February 20, 2019 - 11:13am

Welcome to myBulova and thank you for sharing your grandfather’s watch!  What a wonderful addition to the site. 

1967 Omar Bradley Five-Star Accutron 

AllThingsMustPass848
Posted February 20, 2019 - 10:08pm

In reply to by Kathy L.

Thank you, Kathy. I first came across this watch about a year ago as my watch fascination was blooming. I didn't give it much thought at the time, as I was (foolishly) only interested in mechanical watches. I'm glad I've seen the error of my ways and am so excited to learn more about it! I will cherish it for the rest of my life. 

Kathy L.
Posted March 2, 2019 - 11:19am

In reply to by AllThingsMustPass848

Yes enjoy and cherish it!  A very special watch indeed : )