Bulova 1969 Accutron SpaceView

Submitted by netzilla on April 12, 2022 - 8:36am
Manufacture Year
1969
Movement Model
214
Movement Jewels
Unknown
Case Serial No.
E72521
Case shape
Round
Case color
White
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Hello and thanks for approving my memberhsip into the community. This is the first Bulova watch I've owned. A coworker has a Accutron Bowtie and I really liked the watch and the history. I discovered the spaceview and instantly knew I had to have one. This particular watch was purchased off of Chron24 on 4/4/22. I had some reservations as this watch has the gilt movement and stainless case and I had not seen this configuration in photos. I inquired to the seller asking if the movement is original to the case and his response was vague. He did mention the crystal had been replaced. When I received the watch the crystal was misaligned. I was able to spin the crystal to align with 12 o'clock. After a few days of wearing the watch the crystal fell out. Luckily it happened while I was sitting down and I noticed the missing crystal on the ground before leaving. Any help you can offer on authenticity of the watch would be greatly appreciated. Also, any hints on crystal replacement would be great. I will upload the crystal measurements later.

the front of the watch is hard to capture without glare. I had to take the photo at an angle. If a direct frontal photo is needed I will do my best to provide one.
This photo of the case back shows what i believe to be the case serial number and date code
inside case back
back of movement
back of movement closeup
side view of case showing profile of lugs
mybulova_admin
Posted April 12, 2022 - 7:53pm

This may be a Spaceview conversion which is technically possible with most 214s.

The case model number 2526 is not listed in the known list of Spaceview models. See here: Bulova Accutron Spaceview. | myBulova.com

Regardless it is presented as a Spaceview, so would ID as such. 1969 Bulova Spaceview.

Geoff Baker
Posted April 12, 2022 - 9:31pm

I agree - it should be ID'd as Accutron Spaceview. The Accutron crystal number for this case 1243-1. Any reputable watchmaker will be able to install it for you.

JimDon5822
Posted April 12, 2022 - 10:07pm

1969 Bulova Accutron Spaceview it is.  One of the classic watches of all time. 

netzilla
Posted April 15, 2022 - 9:40am

Thanks everyone for your review and efforts in helping me identify the watch correctly. I do have a follow up question on the crystal. Last night I took measurements of the crystal using a micrometer. With the crystal on the case, I measure 29.52 (12 o'clock to 6 o'clock) and 29.52 (3 o'clock to 9 o'clock). with the crystal off the case, it measures 29.60 at the widest part. Looking at the case, the crystal appears to be friction fit instead of pressed in. I checked the size of the 1243-1 and what I found shows the crystal measures at 30.1mm which would explain why my crystal fell out as it's just a bit small. Since this doesn't appear to be pressed in, could you confirm if a crystal lifter tool would be the right tool to use?