Bulova Accutron Astronaut

1966 Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT

Designed for the NASA space program, but also used on A-12 spy planes, the Astronaut GMT was intended for exploration. HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH? From the serial number on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in 1966. The Mark 1 versions, launched in 1962, had a price of $175. CONDITION If you want to know more about the A-12 and other cutting edge aircraft this watch was standard equipment for, Hodinkee have done an in depth article you can read here, and it also goes into the Bulova Astronaut watch too. We will focus on our specific example. It has the correct dial for the 1966 watch, with extra lume on the half hour markers (which are hour markers for the 24 hour hand). The tritium lume on the straight hands and of the dial has all faded to a dark cream, which looks fantastic against the black dial. The GMT hand makes more sense for space travel than it does in most places, as you wouldn’t really know if it was morning or evening without it. The 24 hour bezel helps you track a second time zone too, and it turns without any clicks. The 214H movement is all working well and is back set, so no crown to be seen. There is some hand drag on the seconds hand when setting the time, far from uncommon on this movement but doesn’t affect the operation of the watch at all. The hands do have some corrosion but the movement is clean. We will install a brand new battery before sending the watch out to the new owner. The bracelet is by Bulova but is not originally from the GMT Astronaut watch, and it has an aftermarket bracelet extender to make it fit more wrists. The bracelet has been cleaned in our ultrasonic bath. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement and clasp. This watch will be supplied with our branded and reusable zipped travel case and cleaning cloth, and our Certificate of Authenticity. This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.