1963 Bulova Accutron Astronaut, Full Set, $1950

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1963 (M3) Bulova Accutron Astronaut

Serviced Sept 2022, including new circuit board.

Original coffin bracelet in excellent condition. It fits my 7.25 inch wrist and has room for expansion in the clasp.

Set includes, inner and outer boxes, hang tag, battery changer in plastic sleeve with instructions, spare battery container with battery (no longer charged), guarantee paper (serial number not identified), various instructions. Only what appears in photos, some photos show multiple angles of the same item.

Purchased from son of original owner who wrote me the following description:

"My Dad was very much into all things space and space related. At the time he wore this watch he worked for Western Union in their new telegraph and telecommunication department in New York City. He was privileged enough to meet several astronauts there over the years including Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra and John Glenn. When he met John Glenn he was wearing his Breitling Cosmonaute that he ended up wearing into space. He was interested and commented on my Dad's watch." [Note that he may have confused John Glenn with Scott Carpenter, but I thought it impolite to mention it.]

It has an excellent condition case and dial. The hands are the only thing less than excellent, as they are the original steel, which had a tendency to rust over time. These watches came with baton or Alpha style hands. The baton hands (like the ones in this watch) were the style worn by Astronaut Gordon Cooper. I won't repeat the history of the Bulova Accutron Astronaut and it's connection to the space program. It's an interesting history for anyone unfamiliar with the details.

Given the set, service and overall condition, this watch is $1950 USD, which includes shipping within North America. As shipping costs vary, shipping elsewhere to be discussed. Wise transfer preferred. Watch in located in NW USA.

Please exam the photos and ask any question related to condition. As a private collector who wants to maintain a good reputation, I will accept a return if the watch isn't as described.

References: https://omegaforums.net/search/26920366/?q=Pdxleaf&o=date&c[node]=10

Thanks OF for the privilege and opportunity to offer this for sale here.

1000017013.jpg 1000017026.jpg 1000017024.jpg 1000017027.jpg 1000017029.jpg 1000017030.jpg 1000017031.jpg 1000017033.jpg 1000017034.jpg 1000017015.jpg 1000017016.jpg 1000017017.jpg 1000017037.jpg 1000017039.jpg 1000017040.jpg 1000017042.jpg 1000017043.jpg 1000017044.jpg 1000017045.jpg 1000017047.jpg 1000017048.jpg 1000017049.jpg 1000017050.jpg 1000017051.jpg 1000017052.jpg 1000017053.jpg 1000017054.jpg 1000017055.jpg 1000017056.jpg 1000017058.jpg 1000017060.jpg
Edited:
 
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Great looking Accutron... these were worn on MA-9 and Gemini V (Gordon Cooper) and on Gemini III (both Grissom & Young).
By the way John Glenn also had an all black dial Breitling Navitimer 809 chronograph!
GLWS...
 
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1963 (M3) Bulova Accutron Astronaut

Serviced Sept 2022, including new circuit board.

Original coffin bracelet in excellent condition. It fits my 7.25 inch wrist and has room for expansion in the clasp.

Set includes, inner and outer boxes, hang tag, battery changer in plastic sleeve with instructions, spare battery container with battery (no longer charged), guarantee paper (serial number not identified), various instructions. Only what appears in photos, some photos show multiple angles of the same item.

Purchased from son of original owner who wrote me the following description:

"My Dad was very much into all things space and space related. At the time he wore this watch he worked for Western Union in their new telegraph and telecommunication department in New York City. He was privileged enough to meet several astronauts there over the years including Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra and John Glenn. When he met John Glenn he was wearing his Breitling Cosmonaute that he ended up wearing into space. He was interested and commented on my Dad's watch." [Note that he may have confused John Glenn with Scott Carpenter, but I thought it impolite to mention it.]

It has an excellent condition case and dial. The hands are the only thing less than excellent, as they are the original steel, which had a tendency to rust over time. These watches came with baton or Alpha style hands. The baton hands (like the ones in this watch) were the style worn by Astronaut Gordon Cooper. I won't repeat the history of the Bulova Accutron Astronaut and it's connection to the space program. It's an interesting history for anyone unfamiliar with the details.

Given the set, service and overall condition, this watch is $2250 USD, which includes shipping within North America. As shipping costs vary, shipping elsewhere to be discussed. Wise transfer preferred. Watch in located in NW USA.

Please exam the photos and ask any question related to condition. As a private collector who wants to maintain a good reputation, I will accept a return if the watch isn't as described.

References: https://omegaforums.net/search/26920366/?q=Pdxleaf&o=date&c[node]=10

Thanks OF for the privilege and opportunity to offer this for sale here.

1000017013.jpg 1000017026.jpg 1000017024.jpg 1000017027.jpg 1000017029.jpg 1000017030.jpg 1000017031.jpg 1000017033.jpg 1000017034.jpg 1000017015.jpg 1000017016.jpg 1000017017.jpg 1000017037.jpg 1000017039.jpg 1000017040.jpg 1000017042.jpg 1000017043.jpg 1000017044.jpg 1000017045.jpg 1000017047.jpg 1000017048.jpg 1000017049.jpg 1000017050.jpg 1000017051.jpg 1000017052.jpg 1000017053.jpg 1000017054.jpg 1000017055.jpg 1000017056.jpg 1000017058.jpg 1000017060.jpg
That's a handsome Astronaut. Though they can be readily found, the coffin link bracelet and the full set make this exceptional. GLWS.
 
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I was going to keep the following (because it's pretty cool) but decided it should stay with the watch.

It's a 12 page brochure describing how the accutron functions. It was sent by Bulova to the original owner at his request. I blocked out his name for privacy but his name is present.

The envelope is postmarked from Flushing, NY, dated Mar. 14, 1963. It gives some provenance to the son's story. It also shows the owner's enthusiasm for the watch. There is also an advertisement page from a National Geographic that he kept.

This will come with the watch with a full price offer. Otherwise, I will hang onto it.

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Edit: I want to respond to JWR about how much the Bulova cost but without bumping this thread.

You can see the hang tag, which shows that the Astronaut cost $175 USD in 1963.

A Rolex Submariner 5513 cost $175 USD five in 1968.
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That is a very cool part of this watches life story (and glad you are including with the watch). I think we forget how much of a technological marvel these were when they were new. These weren’t cheap and were for serious watch enthusiasts.
 
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Interestingly the amazing booklet mentions the Accutron Astronaut watch being issued to the USAF X-15 pilots !
Here're a few screenshots of article I wrote on the subject ;)
#MoonwatchUniverse
.
MWU_Accutron_X15.jpg MWU_Accutron.jpg
 
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Someone asked for a copy of the catalog so I figured I should share it here too.

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All you need is a winged Mercury dime to put in the box per the catalog and that’s about as complete as it gets!
 
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$1950 will get this a new home.
 
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