Bulova Accutron Spaceview 100th Anniversary

Cruvon's exploration of the 1975 commemorative 100th Anniversary Swiss Accutron Spaceview offers a fascinating journey into the world of vintage electronic watches. His decision to acquire a vintage model after initially opting for a modern reissue highlights the unique appeal and surprising serviceability of these tuning fork movements. This article provides valuable insights for collectors interested in the historical significance and technical distinctiveness of early electronic timekeeping.

I posted about the 50th Anniversary Spaceview Accutron  here
Follow this link Bulova produced as a Limited hand made Edition of 1000, by recreating the tuning fork 214 movement from the ground up to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the historic tuning fork movement. I made the decision to go with the 2010 50th Anniversary version because I wasn't sure about how easy repairing and servicing the vintage equivalent of these unique watches would be plus I wanted a heftier 42mm watch than the 33-34mm diameter most of the vintage variants were, to appreciate the beautiful naked movement within. I knew I had started a life long affair with this unique humming movement and I had to have that one.

But having decided on that, I couldn't stop thinking about adding a vintage Spaceview to my collection for some balance. Forum threads later and delving deeper into the vintage side of Spaceviews, I discovered that these steel tuning fork movements can infact be repaired by quite a few repairers out there. The reason for that is because they fundamentally differ in how their parts are made v/s a quartz movement. While a quartz movement, which is a descendant of this watch's technology has a non serviceable quartz crystal where the quartz crystal itself acts as a tuning fork and has other irreplaceable microelectronics within, these first electronic watches had a serviceable steel tuning fork that vibrated at 360Hz to create accurate time and coils, capacitors, etc. were also easily serviceable/replaceable without having to throw the movement away. So I thought having a vintage equivalent wasn't such a bad idea after all.

My attention was drawn to a rare NOS 100th Anniversary Swiss Accutron on an Accutron forum (most of the Spaceviews were made in the USA but a few in Switzerland too) that a seller had on sale, complete with B&P. This Anniversary model was made by Bulova to commemorate 100 years of Bulovas founder, Joseph Bulova. It's peculiar design is at first deceptively quirky but a closer look and one can discern it was designed that way to take the shape of a tuning fork.

Some details about this rare find with pictures

Model: Rare 100 year Commemorative 1975 Anniversary 'Stainless Steel' variant which was manufactured in Switzerland to commemorate the founder Joseph Bulova in 1875.

History: This was given to the seller by his dad along with a number of other watches. It was stored in an attic till it was given to his son. In his sons own words this is what he had to say

"I cannot justify owning such a piece without it being on my wrist, I have even toyed with the idea of keeping the watch in the Genuine glass case and using it as a clock!!!! But even that idea is mad. The watch will need to go to someone that is an enthusiast or collector, someone that will appreciate the heritage and rareness of such a piece."

I am usually quite apprehensive about such stories, but a  forumer on an Accutron forum, who lived close to the sellers place in the UK (I am in Australia), offered to   kindly personally visit the seller and report back on the condition and authenticity of the watch to me, thanks to him. Coupled to that was input from all the knowledgeable experts on the Accutron forum. 

Rarity: The Stainless Steel version is considered rarer to the gold plated version as 1/10th of the production run was made in Stainless Steel. The production run was only 1 year hence the omission of a date code on the rear of the case. The rear case displays 'WATER RESISTANT' underneath the winder and a Ser No: 3-XXXXXX. All markings are clear and crisp. This further indicates that the watch has had very little wrist time. You could argue that this watch could be described as NOS, although that term is widely used these days .

Unlike other Accutrons with the plastic glass this particular Model is fitted with a Crystal glass which would be very modern for 1975. The Accutron writing on the glass is still crisp and fresh. They also have an orange second hand and unique grooved Hour and Minute hands.

Movement: The movement is the well renowned Tuning Fork movement. www.youtube.com . It is a Swiss 2141 Movement. This is very important when looking for a genuine 100th Anniversary as the movements can be swapped between the 214 USA made movement which is interchangeable.

Size: These were one of the few Accutron Spaceview variations that are sized unintentionally to today’s sizes. The watch face goes from 38mm to 42mm and offers a comfortable fit.

Strap/Buckle: Description by Seller "The watch strap had become brittle with the storage as most unused leather would so the strap was replaced with an Accutron replacement which also incorporates an original Accutron deployment buckle. The strap and buckle are new and have not been used. The choice of buckle was to add a modern twist which offsets the watch nicely and maintains its elegant stance."

Box and papers: The watch comes complete with an Original Swiss Display Box, Battery removal tool, Outer Card Box and x3 Booklets enclosed within an Accutron Folder. It also has the serial written in the warranty booklet which matches that on the watch.

Servicing: Prior to the service the watch was not fitted with a battery, although dry stored a service was essential prior to any battery installation. A new Battery has been fitted and complete service done.

And finally the pictures and some poses with it and the 2010 50th Anniversary Spaceview.