Bulova 1965 Accutron

Submitted by joebarkson on July 30, 2015 - 3:05pm
Manufacture Year
1965
Movement Model
214
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
F91359
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I don't think I've seen this variant in the catalog, so I thought I would submit it. It looks like an Accutron Model "214" according to the POS ad. So it's confusing, but I think it's caliber 214 and model 214.

joebarkson 1976 Bulova  Accutron 07302015
1965 Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
William Smith
Posted July 30, 2015 - 5:58pm

I think we ran into this 214 vs model 214, which we may have entered in a variant field?  I don't remember for sure.  
Is that ad from one of the postcards you recently acquired, so the date of postcard is tentative?

Edit:  We may be able to guess at a date for the ad by Bulova still using the term "Waterproof". I don't remember when that wording was changed to say something like "Water Resistant, as is hallmarked on your watch case back"?

joebarkson
Posted July 30, 2015 - 8:42pm

In reply to by William Smith

Yes, this is one of the dealer POS cards I submitted the other day, and the date is definitely unknown. I wasn't aware of the difference between "waterproof" and "water resistant," but that's why we have you panel members, right?

Geoff Baker
Posted July 31, 2015 - 6:42am

In reply to by joebarkson

I think it was around 1968 that Bulova changed from 'proof' to 'resistant'. There may even have been a law in the US to affect the change.

My question, do you have the cards or just images? Are there any random numbers printed in the bottom corners or on the back. They could be used to deduce the date.

joebarkson
Posted July 31, 2015 - 8:36am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I own the cards and scanned the images. There are no identifying marks on either the cards or the envelope they came in.

William Smith
Posted July 30, 2015 - 7:25pm

I can't find another model 214 in database.  I may have been thinking of the model 412, which kinda looks similar and has all the same numbers, just different order.

I'm good with the 1976 Accutron "214" model ID. Nice one, and N6 (1976) must be getting near the end of the 214 movement period?

Geoff Baker
Posted July 31, 2015 - 7:01am

Interesting, a 1976 214 watch seems to be the latest example we have in the dB. Totally unscientific (hey, I'm an Operations and Finance guy, not Research or Engineering) but before Joe brings us this one the latest 214 we have is a Spaceview dated 1973. Interestingly, the 412 Will references above is a 1972. I'm wondering now when Bulova cased the very last 214 movement. I bet it was in '76.

Bulova clearly made this watch in 1976 but I rather think the advert is from the 1960's for a couple reasons. The ad does not mention waterproof or resistant so that's off the table. The ad touts the Accutron being used onboard Telstar, the two Telstars were launched in 1962 & 1963. I can't imagine Bulova advertising that connection 10-12 years later. Lastly, the price, the "214" appears as a variant in the 1964 price list for..........$125. 

I think "214" is a legitimate model variant it's in the price list. I do not think this is a model "214". I also tentatively would date the adverts  to around 1964.

1976 Bulova Accutron

 

Geoff Baker
Posted July 31, 2015 - 7:09am

One more question, an afterthought....is that date code M or N6, it looks kinda like an N....

joebarkson
Posted July 31, 2015 - 8:39am

In reply to by Geoff Baker

It is definitely N6. I'm going to take this puppy to my watch guy and take a look at the movement to see the date stamp. I'll update this listing if I learn anything interesting.

jabs
Posted July 31, 2015 - 8:30am

Agree with Geoff´s ID Bulova Accutron

William Smith
Posted July 31, 2015 - 1:15pm

What are the subtle differences btwn watch and ad?  ...besides a possible decade, and water resistant vs waterproof.