Bulova 1967 Accutron

Submitted by Lukatron on January 28, 2024 - 5:36am
Manufacture Year
1967
Movement Model
214H
Movement Date Code
M4
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
1-531747
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
Clear 33.6mm Armored
Watch Description

Hi, guys,
I'm new here, but I've been a fan of bulova watches for a long time. About 3 years ago I first saw the Accutron Spaceview from the 60's in a photo and fell in love immediately. I had to know more, so I started looking up all sorts of information about the watch and the company. You can probably imagine my surprise when I found out that the founder, Joseph Bulova, was from a small town near Prague - just like me! Greetings from the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia) :)

I rather like the older Bulova watch models from the 60s and 70s, but unfortunately they are almost non-existent here in the Czech Republic. Miraculously one appeared on a local auction site a few days ago - I had to get it at any price - and I did. I would like to share some photos and maybe get some information from you about this model.

Here is some information I was able to deduce:
Swiss Made, Hidden Spaceview 1964?, The movement is stamped "214 H" "BULOVA", "SWISS MADE", "BREVET-PATENT", "M4". The clear crystal is armored with a silver/light golden tension ring, The Dial is a silver/light gold dial face with "SWISS MADE" printed in black lettering under the 6 o'clock marker.

I know it is by no means a flawless piece, probably composed of multiple pieces (the year marking on the movement is different from the caseback), but at heart still an accutron albeit hidden ;). I need to find someone to do a service, but I love them anyway and don't regret the purchase.
 
I tried to track down a similar model here on the site, and the most similar I found was at this address: https://mybulova.com/watches/1964-accutron-7239?page=1
last photo - scan from the catalogue with the letter "c"

And also on the accutronfacts site, down at the bottom of the page labeled "Bul111": https://accutronfacts.freeforums.net/thread/304/accutron-calibre-number…

What do you think of my first (and hopefully not last) Bulova Accutron vintage watch? Thanks for the responses and any information on the watch. :)

Front of the watch
Back of the watch
Inside movement
Inside back case
Additional photo of inside movement
mybulova_admin
Posted January 29, 2024 - 3:20am

The movement is 1964 and the case is 1967, so there is a good possibility that the original movement has been replaced.

I'm looking throuigh the 1967 linebooks for a case and dial match.

Also just so you know there is no such thing as a hidden Spaceview. All Accutron 214's had the same movement (more of less). All Accutrons started out with dials. The Spaceviews came a few years later when Bulova decided to remove the dial to show consumers the inner workings of their new technology. Any 214 Accutron can technically become a Spaceview by removing the dial, however genuine factory issued Speceviews have certain traits that other normal Accutrons may not neccessarily have.

So to clarify, your watch is not an Accutron Spaceview, but a standard Accutron 214 who's model number we will hopefully find for you.

Lukatron
Posted January 29, 2024 - 12:26pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I don't know the history of the watch, so it is certainly possible that the original movement has been replaced. Or just the case back could be different and then it would be a 1964 watch, I don't know. I'm very curious to see if you can find any more information or a picture in the linebooks.

Thanks for the clarification on the Spaceview models.

I look forward to learn more about the watch.

mybulova_admin
Posted January 30, 2024 - 3:11am

I've found the case and outer minute ring in the Accutron "221", but the dial and hands differ. It may be possible thar the dial, hands and movement come from a different watch. 

That being said I'd ID this watch as a base 1967 Bulova Accutron.

Lukatron
Posted January 30, 2024 - 1:04pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Thank you for identifying the watch. I have tried to find any photo of the Accutron "221" you refer to in your previous reply, but to no avail. Could you please send me a link to a photo or website?

Thank you in advance.

JimDon5822
Posted January 30, 2024 - 8:28pm

It does look like it might have had a dial swap.  Either way I am good with 1967 Bulova Accutron

Geoff Baker
Posted January 30, 2024 - 10:54pm

I couldn't find an exact match either. 1967 Bulova Accutron