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
FranciscoMIII
Posted August 15, 2020 - 1:48pm

In reply to by Astronaut M2

Astronaut,

    I think a better question would be what am I hoping to pay. I hope it is within a thousand. I'm under no illusion that this is going to be cheap. I suppose the term cheap is relative so let us just say I'm in manufacturing and am paid hourly. So a thousand is a hefty sum. Like I mentioned before, or maybe I didn't. I had not expected to be the owner of a 14K version of an Accutron Space view.  When I saw this watch on the auction site I told myself If I could get it under a specified amount I'd buy it. Fully expecting the price to go way above my target amount. So now I find myself in the position of paying what I need to or sell it and I really don't want to do that. 

I only recently started collecting watches. I don't really know what to look for or how to determine the value of some of the watches I bought. I saw them I liked them so I bought them. I feel lucky in the fact that I have some watches others seem to like as well, a couple of vintage Omegas and a pretty neet looking Movado and a vintage Zodiac. (incidentally the ones I'm planning on selling). 

This one though, this one may be my last purchase for a while so I want to get it working.  

do you think I'm being realistic or no? (as far as the expected cost)

 

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 16, 2020 - 6:10am

In reply to by Astronaut M2

  Astronaut,

         I'm not sure, When it first arrived I couldn't wait to see it run so I installed a regular 1.55-volt battery. I was hoping that the previous owner had the watch modified to run on newer batteries. It was humming and the hands were turning. I left the battery in overnight to see how well it kept time. When I woke at 4:00 am the watch was reading 7:45 so I figured it was running fast and removed the battery. This is when I decided (like a moron) to open the watch clean the case wait till a 1.35-volt battery arrived to see how well it kept time, then send it out to get serviced and have the cracked crystal replaced. So while cleaning the case the crystal came out and I couldn't put it back in. I also couldn't (I am sure because the crystal was not in) put the watch back together. So I packaged it all up and sent it to a guy in California who then told me about the "worn out" electronics. The pictures he sent show the dried out and cracked resistor, capacitor as well as the coils. I inspected the parts returned to me and they match the pictures I took before I mailed them out. So you ask if it hums, I honestly can't answer that as a definitive yes. 

I hope I'm not boring anyone reading this with too many details. 

 

JEV1A
Posted August 30, 2020 - 11:42am

In reply to by FranciscoMIII

I'm a well known watchmaker in Central Florida that specializes in Bulova Accutron and most Vintage Watch repairs and restorations. Since you mentioned an outrageous cost repair possible estimate I will mention my basic repair and restoration flat fee for any vintage watch is $79.99 Now that you have gotten off the floor, I can do this because I love Bulova, I'm retired and disabled and bored. If I have to order parts I charge extra but not too much. There are very few watchmakers in the world that will even touch a Bulova Accutron 214 or 218 repair job. And if they do its for hundreds of dollars. Plus they charge whatever they feel like charging. I have seen advertised Accutron costs for simple battery replacement as much as several hundred dollars. I charge $24.95 for any Electronic Watch Battery replacement. Let me know if you need help. John V. "Time & Again" Vintage & Contemporary Watch Repair and Restorations NAWCC Business Member since 2010  

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 15, 2020 - 1:21pm

Geoff, 

I had not seen your message until just now. Thank you. I have been working 7 12s and have not had a whole lot of time to spend on my watches. I will read over your message, Thank you I would prefer someone who is trusted. I think my original watch guy may not have a whole lot of experience with this type of watch. 

 

FranciscoMIII
Posted August 30, 2020 - 3:05pm

John,

             Unbelievable! Thanks again and you will be hearing from me. I tell myself to quit buying these things but sometimes I just can't.   

FranciscoMIII
Posted November 9, 2020 - 10:42pm

I just wanted to add an update:

             Over the past couple of months, I have been been working with a watchmaker to restore the Alpha M1 to the correctly dated parts. Long story short, I got lucky (in a way) and purchased a 2nd Accutron Alpha case and this one is an M0. The1960 Accutron Alpha that I purchased had the original gold coin style dial. I abandoned the goal for the M1 and had the watchmaker repair back to working condition moved the dial to the M1, added NOS hands, and a NOS gold-tone Speidel honeycomb bracelet. The M1 looks amazing If you ask me. Now my long-term goal is to locate or find someone who can repair the 3 wire 1st gen coil to make the M0 a period-correct space view. I am placing the M1 up for auction at Catawiki. I have noticed 3 or four other 14K Alpha watches and feel that I may have better luck selling it at a different site.  

M1 Accutron close upM1 Accutron

I am placing the M1 up for auction at Catawiki. I have noticed 3 or four other 14K Alpha watches and feel that I may have better luck selling it at a different site.