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Dsloan
·Found this poking around an antique mall in Palm Springs. Not my best picture, but what does everyone think? It seemed to be running smoothly.
Thoughts on this Accutron?
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Canuck
·In your picture, it appears as though the watch looks sorta okay, but perhaps a bit tired looking. It would seem the seller hadn’t “tarted” it up for the best presentation. If you are new to Accutrons and are not committed to adding this one to your collection, consider this. The subject watch appears to me to be the 214 model on which the watch hands are set from the back of the case. Thereby, it could be 50 plus years old. With luck, it will perform well with no major expense. OR, if it needs work, you’ve possibly bought a money pit! If you can find someone to service it for you. These watches are obsolete, the only source of parts for them is likely eBay. With luck, it might be good! OR…………! Let us know what you decide to do, and if you buy it, let us know how it turns out.
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Dsloan
·In your picture, it appears as though the watch looks sorta okay, but perhaps a bit tired looking. It would seem the seller hadn’t “tarted” it up for the best presentation. If you are new to Accutrons and are not committed to adding this one to your collection, consider this. The subject watch appears to me to be the 214 model on which the watch hands are set from the back of the case. Thereby, it could be 50 plus years old. With luck, it will perform well with no major expense. OR, if it needs work, you’ve possibly bought a money pit! If you can find someone to service it for you. These watches are obsolete, the only source of parts for them is likely eBay. With luck, it might be good! OR…………! Let us know what you decide to do, and if you buy it, let us know how it turns out.
Thanks, that makes sense. I have a franken spaceview (didn't start out as a spaceview, but someone removed the dial) that I got years ago and have had a fondness for accutrons for a long time.
But, I think you're right - this isn't exactly a stellar example and it could end up being a money pit that distracts from other things I could collect.
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Canuck
·Thanks, that makes sense. I have a franken spaceview (didn't start out as a spaceview, but someone removed the dial) that I got years ago and have had a fondness for accutrons for a long time.
But, I think you're right - this isn't exactly a stellar example and it could end up being a money pit that distracts from other things I could collect.
If the price is right (as in cheap), it might be worth a punt. If a collector buys one and later finds it needs work, it only gets expensive if you decide to have it fixed. I’m wearing my 60 year old Accutron 214 today. One owner……me! It is on its third circuit assembly, third index wheel, and many cleanings in all those years. Had I found it necessary to pay someone to service it, it mighta been retired a long time ago. But I do my own work, so my costs have been negligible. I have about 20 Accutrons (214s and 218s) and I enjoy them.
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Dsloan
·I believe they were asking $500, but might be negotiable. Doesn't leave much room for a potential service, no? I don't see myself ever building up enough manual dexterity to handle an accutron index wheel. 😵💫
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Canuck
·I believe they were asking $500, but might be negotiable. Doesn't leave much room for a potential service, no? I don't see myself ever building up enough manual dexterity to handle an accutron index wheel. 😵💫
The more you have to pay when you buy an antique or vintage watch, the bigger the gamble. At $500.00, if the watch develops a problem, you’re unlikely to recover the purchase price. But, of course, it is possible to have a vintage watch that is important to you. In which case, you may decide to spend what you have to spend, to keep it serviceable. Your budget for buying watches should include the prices of maintenance & repair. The more you have to spend maintaining the vintage watches you buy, the less money you have left over to acquire watches. I fix my own Accutrons, but even so, this is not a watch I’d pay $500.00 for! In fact, I’ve never paid a penny for any Accutron in my collection! Parts, cells, yes! But not watches. I’ve either inherited them, been given them, or resurrected them from parts. But purchased one? No!
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X350 XJR
··Vintage Omega AficionadoNot a particularly attractive example (condition wise) especially for that price.
Most watches in antique malls are over priced, just because something is old they think it's worth lots of $$$.
Love Palm Springs, used to have a time share there.
Most watches in antique malls are over priced, just because something is old they think it's worth lots of $$$.
Love Palm Springs, used to have a time share there.
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Waltesefalcon
·I would certainly avoid that one at that price.
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Dsloan
·Thanks everyone for confirming what my gut was telling me.
Ok, so the takeaway here is accutrons are great but only if you you get them for free? 😁
But seriously, thanks for the advice. I'm impressed that you have successfully handled the legendarily, ridiculously tiny index wheels.
I love Palm Springs too (my in-laws live here so we visit every other year). I think I'm just itching to get a watch as a souvenir of all our trips here, lol. Oh well, I guess I'll be more patient. I'm off to Joshua Tree!
The more you have to pay when you buy an antique or vintage watch, the bigger the gamble. At $500.00, if the watch develops a problem, you’re unlikely to recover the purchase price. But, of course, it is possible to have a vintage watch that is important to you. In which case, you may decide to spend what you have to spend, to keep it serviceable. Your budget for buying watches should include the prices of maintenance & repair. The more you have to spend maintaining the vintage watches you buy, the less money you have left over to acquire watches. I fix my own Accutrons, but even so, this is not a watch I’d pay $500.00 for! In fact, I’ve never paid a penny for any Accutron in my collection! Parts, cells, yes! But not watches. I’ve either inherited them, been given them, or resurrected them from parts. But purchased one? No!
Ok, so the takeaway here is accutrons are great but only if you you get them for free? 😁
But seriously, thanks for the advice. I'm impressed that you have successfully handled the legendarily, ridiculously tiny index wheels.
Not a particularly attractive example (condition wise) especially for that price.
Most watches in antique malls are over priced, just because something is old they think it's worth lots of $$$.
Love Palm Springs, used to have a time share there.
I love Palm Springs too (my in-laws live here so we visit every other year). I think I'm just itching to get a watch as a souvenir of all our trips here, lol. Oh well, I guess I'll be more patient. I'm off to Joshua Tree!
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Canuck
·Thanks everyone for confirming what my gut was telling me.
Ok, so the takeaway here is accutrons are great but only if you you get them for free? 😁
But seriously, thanks for the advice. I'm impressed that you have successfully handled the legendarily, ridiculously tiny index wheels.
I love Palm Springs too (my in-laws live here so we visit every other year). I think I'm just itching to get a watch as a souvenir of all our trips here, lol. Oh well, I guess I'll be more patient. I'm off to Joshua Tree!
Go ahead! Pay $500.00 for the subject watch! I’d show you all the Accutrons I inherited, got for free, or assembled from parts, but I get the impression I’d be wasting my time!
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Dsloan
·Go ahead! Pay $500.00 for the subject watch! I’d show you all the Accutrons I inherited, got for free, or assembled from parts, but I get the impression I’d be wasting my time!
You are definitely not wasting your time. I really appreciate your feedback and the depth of your knowledge on the subject.
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ekallus
·It seems expensive, given the condition. There are specialists out there who service them and I've been in dialog with one in the UK to service my 666 Snorkel Accutron.
Presumably there are US based specialists too?
Presumably there are US based specialists too?
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