mrsnak
4829
Bulova Accutron Astronaut -Before & After
One of my prized watches is this 1968 Bulova Accutron 214 Astronaut from 1968. Was lucky to find one with an original "bullet" bracelet.
It did have dial wear and a crusty relume, so I sent it to one of the US' leading Accutron repair guys for a little resto work.
He replaced the dial with a NOS dial that he relumed. He told me that the paint came off on his fingers when he removed the old one. Probably due to age and heat at one time.
He cleaned and relumed the hands and adjusted the time setting mechanism (no crown of these, it's on the back).
I had a great telephone conversation with him a couple days ago, and learned more about all the details of these movements than i ever had before. He dispelled a few myths for me, like the one that coils and index wheels are the most oft replaced parts. Not so. More the tuning fork.
Here it is before:
Here it is today:
This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2010-10-22 10:10:47

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Love it, snak...
By: BDLJ : October 24th, 2010-21:19
Astronauts are on my perpetual watch list. My 218 just recently received a new battery...had some problems with the second hand turning but the hour/min hand staying still. Worked out it was to do with the stem position. Played with the weights on the end...
Mega-Photo-Thread ?
By: AndrewD : October 24th, 2010-15:15
Hi Graham, I would call myself an 'Accutron Fancier' but I haven't found the right '64 Spaceview yet. ;-) I am planning to promote a Mega-Photo-Thread (MPT) series on HoMe where people can post photos of their favorite brands that are not represented else...
Andrew, i'll be more...
By: G99 : October 25th, 2010-01:45
Andrew, i'll be more than happy to add a couple of pics to your MPT, especially of the Accutrons. i used to own a 1964 assymetric 2 tone on bracelet, but again i sold it before i got into the 64 theme. i've had the chance to buy others from 1964, but they...