Bulova 1961 Accutron SpaceView

Submitted by FranciscoMIII on August 4, 2020 - 7:25pm
Manufacture Year
1961
Movement Model
214
Case Serial No.
D56654
Case shape
Other
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Thank you for allowing me to share my latest addition to my collection

1961 14K Alpha Case
Marked M3 1963
Back of 214
1961 Case back marked M1
Geoff Baker
Posted August 5, 2020 - 7:19pm

I believe the Spaceview Accutron was first sold in 1964. Very few 'factory' Spaceviews were produced but dealers built a whole cottage industry around converting them and this is undoubtedly a conversion. I seems this one left the factory as a 541. Given it's current condition I'm OK tagging it a Spaceview but note that it has been converted.

1961 Bulova Accutron Spaceview conversion - I would not give a variant designation

A very nice example

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 6, 2020 - 10:06am

Thank you, i greatly appreciate all information and comments. I happened to find a similar post titled 1961 Accutron Space view dated around 2014. That post was full of very detailed information. To be honest it doesn't make much of a difference to me if its an actual factory produced Space view or a conversion as I plan to keep it and enjoy wearing it myself. I may even hand it down to my son if he shows the least bit of interest. We shall see. 

 

Thanks again

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 10, 2020 - 12:24pm

Watch update

   So i just got some sad news from my watch guy. He sent me close up pictures of the badly worn out electronic components of the watch. I would gladly add them if anyone is interested in seeing them. He suggested i sell the watch for parts. 

I had considered buying a cheaper version of a space view or a regular 214 model watch and swapping out the movements. I fear i could find myself in the same situation. 

I have decided to see what it would cost to get this one restored. I am sure it will not be cheap. 

Not sure if its against the rules, if not and someone knows who can do this type of restoration and might be reasonably priced the recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

I would like to say thanks to all for your advice, information and most of all your patience.

Geoff Baker
Posted August 10, 2020 - 7:16pm

In reply to by FranciscoMIII

Asking questions about repair and restoration is allowed AND encouraged, where do you live Francisco? 

Astronaut M2
Posted August 11, 2020 - 8:54pm

In reply to by FranciscoMIII

"badly worn out electronic components" what's that supposed to mean???  badly worn out how???

Astronaut M2
Posted August 11, 2020 - 9:01pm

In reply to by Astronaut M2

electronic components don't wear out? They can go bad but they don't wear out?

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 15, 2020 - 2:07pm

In reply to by Astronaut M2

Astronaut,

 

          Perhaps worn out is the wrong term, I'd load the pictures he sent to me but I'm not sure how to add them. The electrical compenents are all cracked and dried out looking. He didn't mention anything about the mechanicle parts of the watch which in retrospect seems a bit odd. 

I hope you all understand I am very new to collecting and I am bound to make some costly mistakes. That being said I think for this particular watch even if I have to spend a few hundred more I still feel I didn't do to bad. I paid just about a grand for it with taxes. I pay I don;t have to spend much more than that to get it up and running. 

JEV1A
Posted August 30, 2020 - 5:39am

In reply to by FranciscoMIII

First off not to be too harsh here but any watchmaker involved in Vintage Timepiece Repair and Restoration that suggests you sell off your historic watch for parts is a #$@&%... Ok having said that, your watch can be repaired. Very few watchmakers today will even look at a 214 or 218 Accutron. That is why what you see on the web are outrageous prices for repair. If your coils are dead then they can be replaced. Its cheaper to replace the entire movement than it is to have a watchmaker disassemble, ultrasonically clean and complete a full coil replacement. So search e-bay and find a clean Spaceview Movement that is running accurately. Do not sell the watch for parts! Why? Because you will get only a fraction of what the watch is actually worth. And they will probably melt down the case as most do these days. Faux Spaceviews run rampant much like the Gruen Curvex.. its really hard to find an all original Spaceview. The good news is that parts are available for your watch. I specialize in Accutron. 

Best

John V. / Time & Again 

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 30, 2020 - 1:04pm

In reply to by JEV1A

John,

       I agree 100%! When I was told I should sell my watch for parts I was still dealing with the horrific news that the watch was in as bad a shape as he described. So I didn't immediately react to his comment about selling it for parts. (no doubt to one of his other clients had I agreed).  I did find someone who gets me and my concerns together we're working on restoring it to 100% original parts, as it was manufactured. We have already found the correct pallet plate and crystal now we're on the hunt for the tuning fork. As far as the coil is concerned I'm looking at harvesting the components from other early model 214s or having it rebuilt knowing the actual electrical parts will look different. But my watch guy is willing to work with me and he's not in any hurry and neither am I. I am excited to share with everyone the finished product. If at some point we run up against a brick wall say time or money I still plan on putting it together as close to original as possible. 

Thank you John...and, no your comment about specializing in Accutrons was not lost on me. I shall definitely keep that in mind. 

 

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 11, 2020 - 8:29am

 San Antonio Texas

       I have already decided if need be I will sell some other watches I have, to help cover the cost.

 (none of Bulovas) I don't know why I just don't see myself parting with any of them. The others are not particularly vintage except for the Sea King but I love them none the less.