Can an Accutron 214 work without the battery spacer?

Posts

1,414

Likes

936

WhatYourWatchSay

·Oct 18, 2017

Picked up a mint condition Accutron 214 today but the only battery I have is a 394 without a battery spacer.

I tried it in the watch and it doesn't work. I'm not sure if the module is the issue or if I need a different battery.

I'm hoping there might be an Accutron collector or two here who can give me some advice.

 

Posts

1,306

Likes

1,456

SeanO

·Oct 18, 2017

Didn’t the 394 come with a spacer?

Just make one up yourself.

 

Posts

14,478

Likes

41,779

Canuck

·Oct 18, 2017

Did you get the polarity of the cell correct? Accutron cells go in with the + side DOWN. If you fitted it incorrectly, you likely killed the cell. Or worse! As to the spacer. I would recommend that you get one. But if the watch isn’t jiggered from mis-handling, and you fit a new cell correctly, the circuit and tuning for should activate. As to whether the watch performs, that is the colour of another horse!

 

Posts

1,414

Likes

936

WhatYourWatchSay

·Oct 19, 2017

Thanks SeanO and Canuck for your comments.

I do have the + side down, remembered that from collecting Accutrons 12 years ago. I checked the voltage of the battery with a tester and it reads 1.588v so it's ok.

I contacted Martin Marcus and he said the watch should run without the battery spacer and suggested giving the side of the case a good whack with my knuckles if it still doesn't run but that didn't work.

The movement looks to be in good condition but what's going on under the plate I have no idea. I guess this one isn't going to be running without intervention.

 

Posts

14,478

Likes

41,779

Canuck

·Oct 19, 2017

With the battery in place, the first thing you might look for is to see if the seconds hand is moving. If it is, that is good. But if the seconds hand is not moving, put the watch to your ear and listen for the tuning fork hum. If you hear it, that’s good. If you don’t hear the tuning fork, tap the watch and listen again. If you hear it, that’s good. If you don’t hear it, not so good. Parts for them, and people who will work on them are getting more difficult to find. Best of luck.

 

Posts

1,414

Likes

936

WhatYourWatchSay

·Oct 19, 2017

Thanks very much for these instructions Canuck.

With the battery installed the second hand does not move. When I tap the case the second hand will move and I can hear the forks vibrating but it won't run. No hum either.

 

Posts

14,478

Likes

41,779

Canuck

·Oct 19, 2017

Tapping the Accutron will cause the tuning fork to vibrate momentarily, and the sweep seconds hand will usually move until the tuning fork stops. If you hear no sound from the tuning fork with a good cell, properly installed, then it would seem that you have a dead circuit. My 53-year old Accutron is on its third circuit, third index wheel, and second tuning fork. Welcome to the wonderful world of Accutron collecting.

 

Posts

1,414

Likes

936

WhatYourWatchSay

·Oct 19, 2017

Canuck

My 53-year old Accutron is on its third circuit, third index wheel, and second tuning fork.

Shh...The watch will hear you Canuck 😉

Canuck

Welcome to the wonderful world of Accutron collecting.

I actually started collecting these 12 years ago and stopped 5 years ago because of parts and service issues. The seller presented this one as being in near mint condition, which it is, and running which it clearly isn't. The seller has cut off communication so I guess I'm SOL.

 

Posts

13,078

Likes

52,060

Larry S

·Oct 19, 2017·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

WhatYourWatchSay

Shh...The watch will hear you Canuck 😉



I actually started collecting these 12 years ago and stopped 5 years ago because of parts and service issues. The seller presented this one as being in near mint condition, which it is, and running which it clearly isn't. The seller has cut off communication so I guess I'm SOL.

I gave up on these too.

 

Posts

1,414

Likes

936

WhatYourWatchSay

·Oct 19, 2017

Larry S

I gave up on these too.

It's frustrating because they really are beautiful watches. This one has the original Kreisler bracelet too, but what I'm into it for and what it might cost me to service I have to let it go and hope to recoup some of my money.

 

Posts

415

Likes

489

Shailor

·Oct 19, 2017

I recall the first time my Dad and I saw one of these in the store. Montgomery Wards. We were blown away by the beauty of them. My Dad was a Bulova guy anyway, so he was really drawn to one. Until he saw the price. He stuck with his Caravelle. Anyway, I found this: https://www.oldfathertime.com/accut...MI6YC8yrX91gIVkYFpCh0B5A4sEAAYASAAEgLCtvD_BwE
Hope you get it to work.

 

Posts

14,478

Likes

41,779

Canuck

·Oct 19, 2017

My one owner 1964 Accutron 214. Still looks and runs like new. Serviced countless times over its half century of use. Wore it on our wedding day in 1966. Wore it to Expo 67 in Montreal. Got caught in a rain storm. The watch leaked and spoiled the dial. I had an identical as-new dial, so that is the dial on the watch. I’d have to count, but I have about a dozen Accutron 218 & 214 watches, and several of the original Accu-quartz watches, and many donor watches which are good to have.

 

Posts

1,414

Likes

936

WhatYourWatchSay

·Oct 19, 2017

Oh that's pretty 👍