My first Bulova Accutron

On the case back, you will likely find a two digit alpha-numeric code beginning with an N, and a single number such as a 5. The N stands for the 1960s, and the 5 is the year of manufacture. I have 26 Accutrons, and like them, a lot. As to service in the UK? I know there are several who service them, but someone else will have to give you the names.

When someone finds his Accutron no longer telling time, often the first thing that comes to mind is that the battery is dead. Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. The first thing you need to do is to go to a quiet room and put the watch to your ear, AND plug your other ear so that you are able to hear. I am constantly astonished at the number of people who are unable to hear a running Accutron! This is often because they have NO idea what a tuning fork watch sounds like. When they don’t hear an Accutron ticking like a mechanical watch ticks, they hear nothing. If the hands have stopped but you can hear the tuning fork, the battery is not dead.

The battery in an Accutron will usually last a year or so. Quartz watches are more efficient in that cells may last 3 years or more.

As to servicing an Accutron? @DaveK can give you some insight into that. Most repair shops are hopeless when an Accutron needs service. My attitude is to let the Accutron tell you when attention is necessary by diminished performance. Then, try to find someone who is knowledgeable to service it for you.

As to “hacking” the watch when you are not using it? If you have any Accutron other than an Accutron model 218F (and how would you know?), all that hacking does is to lift the pawl jewel away from the index wheel, and the hands stop. The watch continues to run! Many of the earliest non-calendar, back set 214 models are this way. The later non-calendar, back set 214 models hack differently. In the hand setting mode, a heavy lever butts up against the tuning fork, and vibration ceases. @DaveK can tell you all about that! Hacking one of these later 214 models accomplishes nothing! The tuning for quits, but the circuitry is still operating. The 218F is a later calendar model in which there is a sort of switch that opens the circuit during hand setting.

On 95% of Accutrons, the only way to stop the watch completely is to remove the battery.

I have serviced Accutrons for close to 60 years. I have never run into scored pivots in any Accutron I have ever serviced. The sorts of problems that might require that an Accutron be serviced include:

- Damage resulting from accidents.
- Leaking cases, crown, crystals, gaskets, etc. Rust!
- Leaking cells.
- Circuit problems.
- Worn out index wheels.
- Seized minute pinion assemblies on 218 models.
- Slipping hour wheels on 218 models.

Naturally, a thorough service would be required to attend to any of the above. But if you are not certain about your Accutron, first, find someone competent to service it, and second, get their opinion on the need for routine servicing. Good luck finding the right person to advise.