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Pre-purchase advice needed Re: Bulova accutron spaceview

Microscopic Cog
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Hi fellow WIS,

I was always interested in Bulova accutron spaceview but did not get a chance to educate myself on it. A local example has popped up. I would appreciate if accutron spaceview enthusiasts are able to provide some feedback!

Seller has provided the below details:
Accutron 214 SV s/a s/n a56693 M6
Service done by Rob Berkavicius who is well known in the accutron world.
New gasket
New coil
New shock bridge and screw
Running like a dream.
Original buckle
No box or papers

I am not familiar with the forums rules and etiquettes. Is it okay to seek feedback on the price as well?

Thank you all!

c8357a6e83180fa85f92ebe10dd6a620.jpg e982f5cfb3d2b5337d05633368d5b5b3.jpg d2a6d43818cd019d7f337aa82349924d.jpg 7781c1d244952231595d63dd31ce6eff.jpg 1baab942198832be12156f498397c10d.jpg
 
Fatcat
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watch is good , if it was serviced the guy as spent already 300€ on it ,a fair price will be 500-600 max , i bought some of them "broken" for 200 , up to you .

Paul
 
DaveK
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I love these watches. There’s a beautiful acutron astronaut for sale on the forum right now that I’d love to have

Your M6 = 1966. If the service was legit, then that’s an excellent start. I believe that yours is not a factory original spaceview, but one that was converted (dial removed, replacement crystal added) after sale. Nothing wrong with that, but given watch collector’s cravings for originality, it should affect the price downwards. I don’t think the buckle is correct for the watch either, but I don’t study those .
 
Canuck
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I find it odd that the case back is marked 10 karat gold filled bezel, yet the case appears to be steel! White gold filled? I’ve never seen a white gold filled Accutron. I am wondering how relevant the numbers you were given actually are. Other than that, it looks okay. But with the Spaceview, there is always a question as to whether the watch started out as a Spaceview when Bulova sold it, or whether it is a conversion! There are likely more Spaceviews around today that were ever produced by Bulova.
 
Microscopic Cog
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Fatcat Fatcat
watch is good , if it was serviced the guy as spent already 300€ on it ,a fair price will be 500-600 max , i bought some of them "broken" for 200 , up to you .


Paul

Thank you Paul, I appreciate the feedback.

DaveK DaveK
I love these watches. There’s a beautiful acutron astronaut for sale on the forum right now that I’d love to have


Your M6 = 1966. If the service was legit, then that’s an excellent start. I believe that yours is not a factory original spaceview, but one that was converted (dial removed, replacement crystal added) after sale. Nothing wrong with that, but given watch collector’s cravings for originality, it should affect the price downwards. I don’t think the buckle is correct for the watch either, but I don’t study those .

Is the one FS on the forum a Spaceview? I could not look it up.

Canuck Canuck
I find it odd that the case back is marked 10 karat gold filled bezel, yet the case appears to be steel! White gold filled? I’ve never seen a white gold filled Accutron. I am wondering how relevant the numbers you were given actually are. Other than that, it looks okay. But with the Spaceview, there is always a question as to whether the watch started out as a Spaceview when Bulova sold it, or whether it is a conversion! There are likely more Spaceviews around today that were ever produced by Bulova.

Thank you for the feedback. Yes, I noticed the gold discrepancy as well. There is just so much information on these (including the original vs. conversion aspect). At the very least, the local advertisement has put me on the path to learn more.
 
wagudc
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Canuck Canuck
I find it odd that the case back is marked 10 karat gold filled bezel, yet the case appears to be steel! White gold filled? I’ve never seen a white gold filled Accutron. I am wondering how relevant the numbers you were given actually are. Other than that, it looks okay. But with the Spaceview, there is always a question as to whether the watch started out as a Spaceview when Bulova sold it, or whether it is a conversion! There are likely more Spaceviews around today that were ever produced by Bulova.

My understanding is that the original spaceviews had a chapter ring and the the ones with the dots on the crystal are conversions. See:

http://members.iinet.net.au/~fotoplot/accspace.htm

You can buy a serviced spaceview conversion like this one any day of the year from Ludmil Balevski any day of the year for $500, so I wouldn't pay more than that. I can provide eBay links to his accounts if needed.
 
Larry S
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This did not begin life as a spaceview.
 
Waltesefalcon
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wagudc wagudc
But they could be converted, like any other 214 Accutron. This is a bit of an abomination to me though.

s-l1600.jpg

I agree, it's an abomination.
 
Pianotuna
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Lots of knowledgeable and accurate opinion above but one observation and one reassurance.
I can’t speak for the originality of the piece but it is true that Bulova themselves sold Spaceview conversion kits to watchmakers once their ‘concept’ piece too off (no pun intended) for retro fitting for clients. So there are many many more Spaceviews than ever saw the Bulova factory floor (not to mention many more butchered examples of more recent times looking to exploit the market).
The one absolute is that if Berkavicius serviced the watch then it will be running perfectly, of that you can be certain.
 
DaveK
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wagudc wagudc
My understanding is that the original spaceviews had a chapter ring and the the ones with the dots on the crystal are conversions...

My ‘73 with the chapter ring

D7FDD078-AB55-48ED-84BB-5B2396FF45E3.jpeg
 
DaveK
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wagudc wagudc
But they could be converted, like any other 214 Accutron. This is a bit of an abomination to me though.
s-l1600.jpg

Let’s never speak of these again.
 
Larry S
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I think it most important to have the seller vetted. I bought one of these on e bay. Stopped working and radio silence.
 
UncleBuck
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Just got this a while back (-4sec. p/d) and you guys have me scared to death!
I bartered with a neighbor. Damn!, I hope he isn't Ukrainian.
I do kind of like the green strap on OP's though.

1270458-fca950d37fd2b8919dfe54e92b716590.jpg
 
Canuck
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I can attest that the Accutron Spaceview exhibited by @DaveK is original, and has not been tampered with. I have uploaded a picture of my own Spaceview for comparison. I unashamedly admit that it looks just like @DaveK ‘s Spaceview, but mine has been assembled from parts! I defy anyone to tell the difference! It is truly almost impossible to tell if a Spaceview is original or not, when the conversion was skillfully done. Eh @DaveK?

781EA1C5-8F45-4C84-9C9A-603084C709FF.jpeg
 
Pianotuna
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Here is my non-original (that is, after market conversion) Spaceview. Submitted for comparison and this after a comprehensive service by Berkavicius
1D0FF9AA-D37B-4D6B-9CE7-362BE58A0771.jpeg
 
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