I have 50+ years experience (and still repairing them)of Accutron repair trained at Bulova. 2 things was left out when changing especially a corroded battery. 1. check and clean the underside of the cell strap. 2. Make sure the top cell strap is also tight which is most likely why the watch kept stopping..
What is a reasonable price to service an old Accutron watch? I sent mine to a shop in Illinois and they quoted $1200. That seems crazy considering the watch was never that expensive.
YOU MADE A SMART MOVE PUTTING A LEATHER BAND ON THAT WATCH,I USE TO REPAIR WATCHES A LONG TIME AGO AND I NOTICED METAL BANDS ALWAYS WEAR A RING AROUND THE SPRING BAR HOLES AND MESS UP THE INSIDE OF THE LUGGS.I HAVE SEEN MANY BEAUTIFULL WATCH CASES SCREWED UP EVEN SOLID GOLD CASES.
I have a model 218 M7. Date can be changed by turning the crown clock-wise without pulling the crown out. I've changed the battery myself several times. There is a piece missing in the watch. It is a spring loaded clip, which pushes on the case back. You can see the screw holes where the clip should be located. Bought mine back in 1967. 14k gold filled.
Not all models came with the spring loaded clip called the ground strap, especially on Swiss made models. Earlier models on USA models came with the strap which Bulova realized that if wasn't really necessary.
I have solid 14ky yellow gold 1967 Accutron. Worn for decades. 17 grams naked case. It just died😢😢😢. Spendt hundreds years ago for new parts. Sadly gonna melt. I even made 14kt buckle for it. A beauty😢
Good luck on finding a qualified Accutron service specialist, I think they might all have gone to God at this stage, but, it really is a cool if noisy watch and deserves to live again. (By the way the battery is really an accumulative condenser, somewhat like what was used to cause a short discharge on an automobile spark plug.
Thanks for the information! Yeah, I already see myself reading up on doing the full service myself. Would be a fun challenge, though. It is very noisy! Put in the wrong place at night, it sounds like being swarmed by mosquitos. A very high-pitched noise.
I prefer the Energizer or Renata batteries for these watches, but that's up to you. If you want to learn about them, see this video from the old gentleman that was part of the R&D team: ruclips.net/video/8jInwOllelI/видео.html The movements can be temperamental, but it's the Index Wheel and Pawl jewels that are the delicate parts. Look real close with a magnifier and you can see the teeny-weeny pawl jewels touching the index wheel. The index wheel looks round but it is actually serrated with 320 microscopic teeth. If you look at it at the wrong angle, let the sun shine on it, or face the wrong cardinal direction, you risk destroying it. No touching the wheel edge even a little bit or it's over and you need a new one. That's the super dainty part of this watch. The rest isn't that bad. Bulova even made a special holder for this wheel when working on the watch. It's crazy. I've worked on several. They're fun and quite simple once you get used to them, but there is definitely a learning curve from normal watches.
My father received a "presentation" Accutron in 1977. I can't find a suitable replacement battery for it, since the original battery was a mercury cell. Any suggestions for replacement?
I would love one of these iconic watches, but there are many shabby examples on FleaBay and some expensive modified Space View ones, (which you should never buy).
@@SilverSergeant Thank you, I had no idea you were a customer. And I agree that there are a lot of terrible conversions out there, but even worse classic 214s are with perfectly good dials are ruined to make them. I really only try to convert accutrons with bad/rusted or boring dials.
Does your watch need a service? Here is a video to find out: ruclips.net/video/JdOW6naL2B0/видео.html
I have 50+ years experience (and still repairing them)of Accutron repair trained at Bulova. 2 things was left out when changing especially a corroded battery. 1. check and clean the underside of the cell strap. 2. Make sure the top cell strap is also tight which is most likely why the watch kept stopping..
Good point! Thank you for the advice!
Do u service Still?
What is a reasonable price to service an old Accutron watch? I sent mine to a shop in Illinois and they quoted $1200. That seems crazy considering the watch was never that expensive.
Congratulations, well done!
Tuning fork movements were much more accurate than mechanical movements at the time. I was surprised at your statement.
YOU MADE A SMART MOVE PUTTING A LEATHER BAND ON THAT WATCH,I USE TO REPAIR WATCHES A LONG TIME AGO AND I NOTICED METAL BANDS ALWAYS WEAR A RING AROUND THE SPRING BAR HOLES AND MESS UP THE INSIDE OF THE LUGGS.I HAVE SEEN MANY BEAUTIFULL WATCH CASES SCREWED UP EVEN SOLID GOLD CASES.
cool video, thanks for showing the watch!
Thanks for watching!
Accutron tuning fork watches were way more accurate than mechanical watches at the time. Accutron clocks made it possible to get to the Moon.
I have two 214 Accutrons. They're great.
I have a model 218 M7. Date can be changed by turning the crown clock-wise without pulling the crown out. I've changed the battery myself several times. There is a piece missing in the watch. It is a spring loaded clip, which pushes on the case back. You can see the screw holes where the clip should be located. Bought mine back in 1967. 14k gold filled.
Not all models came with the spring loaded clip called the ground strap, especially on Swiss made models. Earlier models on USA models came with the strap which Bulova realized that if wasn't really necessary.
Bought my Accutron in Japan around 1967-68 in a Military commissary. Thanks for the update.
I have solid 14ky yellow gold 1967 Accutron. Worn for decades. 17 grams naked case. It just died😢😢😢. Spendt hundreds years ago for new parts. Sadly gonna melt. I even made 14kt buckle for it. A beauty😢
Good luck on finding a qualified Accutron service specialist, I think they might all have gone to God at this stage, but, it really is a cool if noisy watch and deserves to live again. (By the way the battery is really an accumulative condenser, somewhat like what was used to cause a short discharge on an automobile spark plug.
Thanks for the information! Yeah, I already see myself reading up on doing the full service myself. Would be a fun challenge, though. It is very noisy! Put in the wrong place at night, it sounds like being swarmed by mosquitos. A very high-pitched noise.
DAMNED: CROOKED CROWN😮😢😢😢
I own 3 218 and 1 214 space view they are not fragile and they are very accurate. I agree this watch need service and a bath.
In your experience which battery brands are less likely to leak?
Hi, thank you for your comment, but I just don't have enough experience with battery-powered watches to give you a qualified answer.
I prefer the Energizer or Renata batteries for these watches, but that's up to you.
If you want to learn about them, see this video from the old gentleman that was part of the R&D team:
ruclips.net/video/8jInwOllelI/видео.html
The movements can be temperamental, but it's the Index Wheel and Pawl jewels that are the delicate parts.
Look real close with a magnifier and you can see the teeny-weeny pawl jewels touching the index wheel.
The index wheel looks round but it is actually serrated with 320 microscopic teeth. If you look at it at the wrong angle, let the sun shine on it, or face the wrong cardinal direction, you risk destroying it. No touching the wheel edge even a little bit or it's over and you need a new one. That's the super dainty part of this watch. The rest isn't that bad.
Bulova even made a special holder for this wheel when working on the watch. It's crazy. I've worked on several. They're fun and quite simple once you get used to them, but there is definitely a learning curve from normal watches.
Use energizer or maxell, not renata
Energizer or Renata..Varta batteries always leak
My father received a "presentation" Accutron in 1977. I can't find a suitable replacement battery for it, since the original battery was a mercury cell. Any suggestions for replacement?
Changed mine several times using standard Energizer 344. It will last about a 1-1/2 years.
Where can you get the screws for the Bulova Accutron Watch that hold down the battery clamp?
Screws should have been loosened and not removed. Sorry, good luck on finding the correct screws. Try a watch repair.
It's not mechanical it ain't quartz! It's ALIEN!😮😮😮
I would love one of these iconic watches, but there are many shabby examples on FleaBay and some expensive modified Space View ones, (which you should never buy).
Which one is your favorite version of the Accutron?
There's nothing wrong with conversions... original spaceviews are practically the same thing anyways.
@@timelesstechwatches Absolutely correct. I base that on the fact that I just purchased one of your watches.
@@SilverSergeant Thank you, I had no idea you were a customer. And I agree that there are a lot of terrible conversions out there, but even worse classic 214s are with perfectly good dials are ruined to make them. I really only try to convert accutrons with bad/rusted or boring dials.