Accutron 214 Astronaut

pdxleaf

Here's a crazy lucky find. The day after I picked up the 63 (above post) I found an auction for a 62. I went big and won the auction.

This just arrived today. It's taken a long time to get here. It is not working (yet) so I will need to send it out for service. But it looks unworn. Look at the brushing in the case side and caseback. This is before any cleaning, right out of the barn so to speak.

It's been said that there were between 500 and 1200 of these, based on extant serial numbers. So not many. Plus how many from 1962 are still around? The prices of these don't reflect the scarcity or the significance. The Bulova Accutron Astronaut watch itself is a pretty marvelous watch in the whole space history world. This 1962 is amazing because it's before Bulova knew that pilots were wearing their watches in the outer atomosphere, after which they added the "Astronaut" on the dial late in 62 and 63. Kindof like Omega finding out that their Speedmasters were being worn in space.

I am pretty stoked. THIS is what makes watches so much fun.

pdxleaf

Adding to the collective knowledge. I tripped over this while looking for a coffin bracelet.

This is what a full kit might have looked like, with the exception of a warranty/registration card. The person selling the watch was the son whose father passed away in 1969. The watch sat unworn since then. The bracelet has a lot of micro adjustment positions, which surprised me. It's an M3 in good condition, although the movement is untested.

His dad worked for Western Union in the department that dealt with the Federal govt and United Nations. In that capacity he met several astronauts, including John Glenn who commented on his dad's watch. He doesn't know what his dad did but I suspect his father may have had something to do with the nascent satellite communication development. Here is what he wrote about his dad's watch:

"Hi Dave, thanks for that. 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. My Mom is 91 and has been a widow for 53 years since his passing. I wish you the best with this watch and glad that it's going to someone that appreciates it's history."

In addition to the watch, he sent some brochures his father ordered. Here are photos. One little card is interesting as there's a person who claims to have a watch with hands like this early 1962ish Astronaut. Kindof jumped out at me:

I hope you found this interesting. Hopefully the watch will run after service.

AustinCambridge

Hard to follow that amazing full kit post without feeling a bit underwhelming!
Here I was, just happy to have found a great condition coffin link bracelet for my Astronaut. Guess I need to up my game! 😀

Timecollector

Collecting Astronauts is a never-ending hobby. A giant Rabbit hole of sorts...... Here are mine.

pdxleaf

Couple good web pages on the history of Accutron:


http://www.decadecounter.com/accutron/history.htm


http://www.decadecounter.com/accutron/

SpeedyPhill