This was my Grandpa's watch, and has been handed down over the years. I'm 46 and have seen this watch all my life. The watch part is a Bulova as you can tell from the pics, and all I can guestimate from pics on here is around 69, but I've never been able to figure out the rest. ARMBAND. They told me when I was a kid that it was 1 of 2. Never knew if it was true. Is the wrist band after market? Or is it just a custom watch? Again, was told they were Alaskan Gold nuggets along with the Diamonds.
Who in the world would be able to appraise this? Have seen some senile estimates online, and I just want to know what we are keeping in our safe these days. Or should we have it somewhere safer?
ID on back of watch J623821
Welcome to myBulova and thank you for sharing this special heirloom from your grandpa. It seems they were special made in Alaska. It could be there were only 2 of this particular watch band made. Here are a couple similar watch bands in the DB https://mybulova.com/watches/1969-accutron-calendar-10103, https://mybulova.com/watches/1966-accutron-spaceview-h-12404, https://mybulova.com/watches/1967-accutron-calendar-5401?page=1. Now to look for the Accutron :-)
They're called TIPS - the custom ends of the watch band. They are quite popular in the desert southwest of the United States and are often done in silver and turquoise. This style was popularized during the building of the trans Alaska pipeline. Perhaps your grandfather worked on the pipeline?
A reputable jeweler could give you some idea what the gold and diamonds are worth, beware of gold buying centers, they'll lowball you and attempt to buy it cheap. I imagine that both the nuggets and the diamonds are genuine. Perhaps a scan of online auction site can give you some idea what sellers are asking for similar items.
These bands are still being made today and are very popular up here in the Yukon where I live and probably in Alaska also.If you want an idea of how much they are worth you can check out a place in Whitehorse called Murdoch's gem shop.Their site shows quite a few examples with pricing(in cdn dollars of course)
In reply to These bands are still being… by denupnorth
For whatever reason 214 and 218 Accutrons got crazy bracelets and bands. In the southwest you can find cuff bracelets with semi-precious stones. As far as appraisel simply weigh out the gold content with the current price of gold in the market (Country) you are in (1,774.00) USD TODAY per Ounce. So once you have that value, appraisel of a clean, serviced, running 218 - *******Watch appraisal removed by Admin********Not allowed under site rules*********. Looks like you need service, new crystal total cleaning, polishing etc.
Very nice... John V. TIME & AGAIN
Servicing Bulova Accutron since 2010
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