Bulova Accutron Astronaut GMT - With Pre Astronaut Dial - c.1962
A Very Rare Bulova Accutron GMT Pre Astronaut Dial in Original Condition with Tuning Fork Movement and Nicely Aged Lume, c.1962
Case
Stainless Steel
Condition
7.5/10
Year
1965
Box/Papers
No/No
In 1962 Bulova produced the Astronaut, a 214-based GMT timepiece with a 24-hour rotating bezel, secondary 24-hour hand, and hack function. The Astronaut was initially developed by Bulova for the US space program, but ultimately found its greatest success in the consumer market.
The handset first used on the new all-stainless steel Accutron GMT watch (which had yet to be named Astronaut) was lifted from the Bulova Timer Labs and had already been used on all their aerospace clocks and timers.
What's on Offer
Bulova released numerous cosmetic variants of the Accutron Astronaut and it seems that each Astronaut variant is designated with a single letter or what Bulova calls it's "Style Name". We can see from the case back that this watch has been engraved with a M.
From the designation scheme seen in actual Bulova ads, they confirm the existence of an Astronaut "C", "H", "J", "L", " M ", "N", "O" and "T" all of which are cosmetically unique.
The watch offered here for sale has been classified as a 'type 2' (enhanced applied markers and a standard bare-metal bezel.)
The movement is a 360-Herz tuning fork, powered by a one-transistor electronic oscillator, to drive the timekeeping functions rather than a traditional balance wheel.
This watch has been well preserved given its age of well over 60 years old. The rich black dial boasts applied hour markers with luminous inserts and chunky stick hands with corresponding lume. There is also a GMT hand which similarly boasts lume, it is to be noted that the lume across the dial has aged evenly to beautiful vanilla colour. As this is a 'pre-astronaut' dial, it is simply signed Bulova Accutron at 12 and the hour plot is the Bulova fork.
There is a little pitting on the hands that can be noted in the photographs, however, this watch is in original condition and it is simply part of the ageing process on this particular piece.
The case back number is 1-297671 and you will also note the letter M, the style name denoted by Bulova.
Case
Stainless Steel
Dial
Black
Box
No
Papers
No
Model Ref
1-29767
Crystal
Plexiglass
Bracelet
Stainless Steel
Winding
Electronic
Movement Type
Tuning Fork
Calibre
214HN
Jewels
Power reserve
N/A
Condition
Very Good
Date of issue
1965
Warranty
12 Months VWS
Width (without crown)
38mm
Lug width
18mm
Lug height
(lug to lug)40mm
Wrist size
175mm
