Bulova 1970 Accutron Calendar

Submitted by DeluxeRaccoon on June 17, 2019 - 6:29pm
Manufacture Year
1970
Movement Model
2181
Movement Jewels
15
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
3-193510
Case shape
Other
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Other
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

1970 Accutron Calender

When I bought this watch, I was very skeptical. The eBay seller advertised that it worked, but it wasn't running in any of their photos. I put in a question to ask if it was in fact working, and got no answer. I decided to take a chance at just $60. The watch came and wasn't running. The battery was still an old 343 unit that was obviously going to be dead, so I bought some new batteries and it started working right away! It was running very fast (about 15 minutes fast everyday) and so I took it to my watchmaker for adjustment. They said it would be best (and easiest) to service it at the same time and was going to be around $200. I decided to hold off for the moment and bring it in at another time. But when I brought the watch back home, I found it was keeping time extremely well. Not sure why. The only thing that concerns me is the varying pitch of the hum. Is this normal? My 214s don't seem to hum the same way, but maybe it's something the 218s do? I may just take the battery out until I take it in to be serviced.

Anyways, the case is in decent shape and is gold plated 40 microns thick. It doesn't seem to have worn through anywhere. I received the watch with an aftermarket expansion band that didn't match at all, so I bought a very nice Hirsch leather band.

This watch is really flashy, a little more than I usually like. But it's kind of interesting and brings attention that can lead to a good conversation or a lesson to those who don't know about the incredible technology that is Accutron. 

1970 Bulova Accutron Calendar Watch
[field_year-1970] Bulova Watch Caseback
[field_year-1970] Bulova Watch 2181 Accutron Movement
[field_year-1970] Bulova Watch Caseback Inside
[field_year-1970] Bulova Watch
DeluxeRaccoon
Posted June 17, 2019 - 6:51pm

I wasn't sure who the case manufacturer was because I had never seen that mark (the 'CB' in an archway) before. Perhaps it is a normal Bulova mark, but I wasn't 100% sure.

DeluxeRaccoon
Posted June 18, 2019 - 8:33am

In reply to by JimDon5822

Ah... I should have looked closer when looking for a supporting advert. Great find!

Looks like I'll be going somewhere to get the case brushed properly as it was when new. Surprised that is has a sapphire crystal, it was obviously quite a high-end watch in it's time.

Geoff Baker
Posted June 18, 2019 - 9:48am

I like this case style. I don't see where we ever discovered a variant assigned to this one.

1970 Bulova Accutron Calendar

Kathy L.
Posted June 18, 2019 - 11:05am

Great looking watch.

1970 Bulova Accutron Calendar

jabs
Posted June 18, 2019 - 11:27am

1970 Bulova Accutron Calendar

Andersok
Posted June 18, 2019 - 12:43pm

Accutron Calendar