Hi folks

You know that feeling when you wear a favourite watch to work or a function and no one notices? Options at that point are either: feeling superior with your secret knowledge that your wrist candy is rocking the house, or spending even more time with likeminded people on OF.

Well, someone noticed my spaceview And now she wants to buy this ‘66 Spaceview for her husband as a gift. I would value your input on this watch that is currently on auction. 5 days left at auction, and she is feeling lucky and hopes bidding stops at $450 CDN (currently at $230)

Description
Vintage Bulova Accutron Spaceview M6 Watch 10K Gold Filled Mens 34mm. Great working condition.

My observations
- strap is too small, and that’s okay
- crystal is not on straight, not giving great confidence about whoever was in there before
- most likely a conversion, but he isn’t a collector so that is fine
- I have a genetic defect that doesn’t allow me to tell if a bezel is missing. Is this a stepped bezel or is there something missing
- straight-on photos show a orange blur at centre, I cant tell if it is an artifact or damage, but a new crystal is not a huge problem



Thank you for your kind attention

 

I'm not an expert by any means. I know very little about these but I had to say that I got a very bad vibe looking at these images. Something is not kosher but I can not tell you what is wrong. just a gut feeling I guess.
I'm fairly sure others here will agree and be able to explain why.

 

Thx Prof. Will hang tight for some more opinions. I hope we get a reply to your other question about the other spaceview

 

My Spacebview knowledge is a bit rusty as I haven't collected in a bit but I think that is an aftermarket crystal with non spaceview hands. White dot crystals should have hands like this: http://www.mybob.net/accutronsforsale/2719/spaceview.htm

so I would say its a conversion (like most) but a crappy one

 

The crooked crystal alone suggests to me that this watch would require some professional reworking. Probably expensive and aggravating flaws. Not something one would want to give to a loved one.
Possibly a project watch but not a dependable personal time piece just yet.

 

This watch originally had a normal dial, but was converted to a spaceview. You can take any 214 Accutron remove the dial and put on a spaceview crystal. This was done in the 60s as well, but usually the hands would be changed. It will likely need a service ($150-$200 USD). If you want a conversion spaceview, I would look on eBay. There is a Bulgarian Accutron specialist Ludmil Balevski who sells nice serviced examples for $400. He has two different accounts hronotime and anticvarius. I have not bought from him, but have been researching.

 

That is a Accutron Case #2527 which is not a listed Spaceview Case and as mentioned above, would have had any number of dials on it originally. The Clark Aftermarket crystal has been installed poorly and improperly indexed but some of that may be the angle of the photo (Red Flag). The hands on that watch are incorrect and possibly left over from the dialed watch (Red Flag). That is such a poorly done conversion, I would have a very hard time even putting in a bid. It is obviously an attempted sale of a cobbled together Accutron. IMHO. Stay Clear!!

 

Thank you all. I'll recommend she walk away from this one. I appreciate your time and insights. Very useful learning