Bulova 1966 Accutron

Submitted by Wynot on April 28, 2024 - 7:44pm
420
Manufacture Year
1966
Movement Model
214
Movement Jewels
15
Case Serial No.
A70737
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

Picked this up a few days ago.  The black dial is what caught my attention.  Obviously an M6 Accutron 214.  I have only seen these identified as Accutron 214.  With all the variations, I'm surprised Bulova didn't have names/letters for the variants.  Or maybe they did.  The inside case back is stamped 2387 9-6.  Could these be model subcategories or do they mean something else?

Front
Back
Dial
Movement
Case Back
Wynot
Posted April 29, 2024 - 2:55pm

I just read that the Ranfft database had the jewel count for the 214 at 15 jewels and the 218 at 13 jewels but, should be 17 jewels and 15 jewels.  Not sure which is right.

mybulova_admin
Posted April 30, 2024 - 8:00am

In reply to by Wynot

My understanding is that the 214 family is 17J and the 218 family is 15J.

Would be good if someone with actual Accutron experience can confirm or not.

Wynot
Posted April 30, 2024 - 3:10pm

In reply to by mybulova_admin

There was a 2017 conversation on Watch Talk Forum that discussed this question.  The question was whether the pawl and index finger jewels should be counted, as "they're not used in nearly the same manner as what the others are".

214:

Index wheel....2 upper, 2 lower
2nd wheel.......2 upper, 2 lower
3rd wheel.......1 upper. 1 lower
Center wheel .....1 upper, 1 lower
4th wheel.......1 upper, 1 lower
index finger....1
pawl finger.....1
Chaton...........1

Total of 17 jewels

218:

Index wheel.....2 upper, 2 lower
2nd wheel........2 upper, 2 lower
Sweep sec........2 upper
Center wheel.......0
4th wheel........2 upper, 1 lower
index finger.....1
pawl finger......1

Total of 15 jewels

JimDon5822
Posted April 29, 2024 - 9:27pm

Thank you for posting your watch.  Based on a 1966 Bulova Accutron "420".

Accutron 420Accutron 420

mybulova_admin
Posted April 30, 2024 - 8:04am

Yep we have a linebook entry confirming this model to be the 1966 Bulova Accutron "420".

Kathy L.
Posted April 30, 2024 - 6:53pm

1966 Bulova Accutron "420"

Geoff Baker
Posted April 30, 2024 - 9:52pm

1966 Bulova Accutron 420

Wynot
Posted May 1, 2024 - 2:26am

I wanted to share and ask about something I just noticed.  This M6 Accutron is stamped M6 on the pillar plate above the coils.  That M6 is over-stamped with a vertical M9 to obscure it and has an additional M9 next to it.  Why?