Bulova 1966 Accutron SpaceView

Submitted by Mark W. on July 16, 2020 - 12:30am
Manufacture Year
1966
Movement Model
214
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Case Serial No.
A79113
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
29mm OD
Gender
Mens
Front view
Inside backing view
mybulova_admin
Posted July 16, 2020 - 6:05am

The lack of a chapter ring tends to suggest that this is a Spaceview conversion.

I only found a few examples of authentic Spaceviews without a chapter ring, and they have very distinctive cases.

As presented with white hands and crystal, I'd be tentative Bulova Spaceview.

Can we assume that the back is stamped M6?

Mark W.
Posted July 16, 2020 - 3:36pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Admin,

Don't know what a 'chapter ring' is but I don't think this watch has one. Is that the round ring that has the 60 marks around it which you would see when looking through the crystal? This watch does have a brass ring with 2 female slots, 180° apart. Would that be to take up the space the assumed original chapter ring occupied? This ring was between the movement's front and the case.

brass ring

Astronaut M2
Posted July 17, 2020 - 11:06pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Chapter ring cases are diff from all others, most all chapter ring watches came for the factory as a spaceview.

 

This watch is a P/N 2527 case which is on the list of factory spaceview watches but it can also be a conversion as well...

Spaceview List

  

Astronaut M2
Posted August 23, 2020 - 5:25pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

If the watch is converted back to its original form as a dialed watch will it's myBulova classification change? 

JimDon5822
Posted July 16, 2020 - 9:37am

One of my all time favorite watches.  Did you know these were never intended to be sold originally but were demonstration pieces.   ADs would show the demo watch and everyone wanted this instead of the dialed watches so they reached back to Bulova.   Bulova quickly realized the opportunity to produce true Spaceviews and they sold so well dealers started removing dials from watches in inventory in order to sell more spaceviews.   

Looks to be a 1966 Bulova Spaceview (Conversion) pending confirmation of the date code.  

jabs
Posted July 16, 2020 - 11:02am

1966 Bulova Spaceview

neetstuf-4-u
Posted July 16, 2020 - 2:39pm

1966 Bulova Spaceview

Mark W.
Posted July 16, 2020 - 3:30pm

Admin, JimD, Jabs and Neetstuf,

The back of the watch is definitely stamped "M6". This is the best picture I could produce with my means. The stamping is NOT M8 or M9 if viewing by eye through the loop.

Now, the works are stamped M9 (mmm-nine)!

I don't know what a 'conversion' Accutron is. Does that mean the original dial has been removed and possibly the crystal replaced so to see the movement??? The backing inside is stamped 2527 which I cannot find referenced on Martin's or Rob's website. What does the 2527 indicate?

Pictured is what comes out of the case when the backing and movement (not shown) are removed; the backing and its threaded retaining ring, the black gasket, the brass spacer ring (for what?) and the case with crystal. (Am careful not to touch the movement's hands or components.)

M6 stamping

Lots of questions I know, but I'm new and trying to learn.

JimDon5822
Posted July 16, 2020 - 7:02pm

In reply to by Mark W.

Yes a conversion is when a non space view has the dial removed and a crystal replaced.    This has been done for years because the space views have a significant premium over non-space views.