You’re absolutely right to call this the real space watch. I have on my wrist just now, the gold version of the watch you have there. And it came to me from my grandfather, Chief of Aeronautics for NASA for the first 40 years of NASA. A few years ago he asked me what I’d like to have if his when he passed. He raised me, so there should have been many things... but at the time all I could think of was his Spaceview. He’d recieved it from my grandmother as an anniversary present, and wore it every day of his life thereafter. So I just managed to point at it, and he got the picture. I left the family to fight over all his considerable assets, and am very proud indeed with having received his watch.

I’m the proud owner of an early 60’s Spaceview. I bought it as a self reward for completing my Masters degree. I wore (with numerous battery changes) until it stopped running do other issues. It’s currently being repaired by a top watchmaker who is a recognized authority on Spaceview watches. I’m looking forward to it’s return and will wear it once again with great pride.

Thanks for the wonderful video, and a huge thanks for not ruining it with crappy background music. I don't know why some people are compelled to add annoying background music throughout their videos.

I just recently acquired a 1963 Bulova Accutron "206" with the 214 movement. Learning the history behind this watch and its functionality has been so fascinating and I am grateful to finally own one. Such an important timepiece.

I graduated from Bulova in 1970 and have been repairing & restoring Accutrons for both the trade (jewelry stores) as well as private clients. I also worked at Bulova for a short period of time. Your video is excellent. However, nothing was hand painted on the chapter ring. The chapter ring actually has a decal on it which over time gets worn from as you said moisture and age turns the color and minute track disappears. Also when you were showing the circuit, the silver 'can' was a capacitor, not a resistor which is also in the circuit...As i said, your video is very good..Kudos to you!

You can date an Accutron by the date code in the back. The letter signify the decade M for the '60s and N for the '70s. The digit signify the year. hence, your watch M5 is from 1965. Great video, thanks!

Thanks for that little bit of info on the conversion kits and fakes. I had no idea! Mine came from my grandfather, who was a division chief at NASA through the glory years. Was the only thing I asked him for before he passed- didn’t care about anything else, just his watch.

I bought my 1967 Spaceview 214 in the summer of 1968 and it does have the standard resistors. It is also marked "Waterproof" on the back, so Bulova was still using that nomenclature as late as 67.

As other people have already mentioned, your caseback has a date code where you can decode the year it was produced, 1965 in your case. Other things to note is that being an early to mid-60's model, it should either have radium lume (which would have deteriorated the phosporescent material by now), or tritium lume (mid to late 60s) which would have itself degraded so far by now that it should not be glowing much if at all, that your lume still glows so much, looks so fresh, and the fact that you call out it's "hand painted" suggests that it's a relume. Most watch dials were hand painted lume to begin with anyway, that's how the radium girls were poisoned after all. Also, regarding space, the Accutron was used in the space vehicles even if they weren't on the wrists of the astronauts, so it still did go to space. Side note, the first Omega Speedmaster in space was a personal watch before NASA conducted the trials to determine the official wristwatch on the missions.

Fascinating video as I did not know they had "conversion" kits to make the watch a Spaceview and some being sold on eBay or other places are NOT original Spaceviews. I am fortunate to have an ORIGINAL Spaceview from 1968 - my Junior High School graduation gift. I have always loved this watch and the history of it is fun to uncover. I recently found an article that an Accutron was issued to pilots of the A-12 spy planes. They also have this watch in the Smithsonian as the first watch to deviate from using just gears to track time - this watch was the predecssor to Quartz watches.

I believe that the component between 4 and 5 is the transistor which forms part of the self regulating oscillator on Accutron tuning fork watches, not a resistor.

Thanks I am lucky enough to have a "real" vintage Spaceview and found your video informative.

At 3:39, that’s a transistor, not a resistor. Transistors have three leads (some have four) and all three are from the same source...the bottom; resistors have two leads- one on each end. Edit: I don’t know much about this specific watch but I do know electronics and parts and so I’m just saying what it appears to be.

Great video about the same watch I bought in 1962 when I was in college. Took it with me to Vietnam where I was a helicopter pilot and during the year lost it. The green band on your watch appears terribly cheap! LOL Mine came with a stainless band. Best of luck!

There's some discussion saying that the Accutron is the second electronic watch, the first being the Hamilton Electric. With the Accutron, it's clear that the tuning fork indexes the 300 tooth wheel, driving the gear train. This is a fundamental horological difference because up to now, every watch/clock depended upon a power source that needs to be alternately locked and released by a regulated escapement. The escapement did not drive the gear train. There is no escapement whatsoever with the Accutron. I'm not so sure about the Hamilton. The balance wheel is impulsed electronically, but I think it still functions as an escapement. Obviously the gear train is not driven by a spring that you wind up, but there may be a spring involved pulled by a solenoid. I have seen a mechanism like this on VDO car clocks. In any case, the Accutron was ground breaking because it totally abandoned the stored mechanical power and escapement method.

I have a pair of Accutrons, an original 214 Spaceview that my grandfather bought new, and my father's 218, which has the tuning fork movement but has a stem in the side of the case and white face that says "Railroad Approved". Neat watches and family heirlooms. I've had them both cleaned and tuned up, and they just need batteries to run again. The green strap to match the movement is an inspired choice, and I will be doing that as well.

My Dad’s Spaceview is dated M6 M=1960 6=1966. I also have the Bulova Owner’s Guide/registration dated 9/21/68, A snowy picture of him in front of where he purchased it from in Anchorage, Alaska while stationed there in the U.S. Air Force.

where did you get that band from?? looks great on the watch!

3:17 I agree. Most of the eBay offerings appear to be "conversions". They are still wonderful looking watches.

I understand Bulova initially used mercury cell battery on the Accutron Spaceview. Later due to health risk from mercury, they were replaced by iron oxide batteries which is reportedly not as accurate as the mercury ones

Riddle me this - if the original originals were made using kits sent out by Bulova so dealers could adjust normal Accutrons into Spaceviews surely e-bay sellers modifying Accutrons into Spaceviews now is the same thing just happening later in life to the same watches that would have been adapted back then? Am I right or I am confused? Anyone?

Nice video and well informed. I love the space view but cannot afford one. Just bought an accutron 2181 for the collection and I love it.

I have an M0 1960 solid 14k. It’s amazing

I bought mine in 1967 and I still have it.

April 1985 astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman wore an Accutron Spaceview microsonic wristwatch onboard space shuttle Discovery mission STS-51-D ( Cfr MoonwatchUniverse )

Cool video with many interesting facts, thanks! (love the band btw)

You made a quick reference to the battery and resistor, as I understand it, it was made to run on the lower voltage of a Mercury Cell, which supplied around 1.3v, in the mid '80's Mercury Cells were removed the market. At that point you could use a Zinc-Air cell which gave 1.4v, but only lasted a few weeks, or the Silver Oxide Cell which had 1.5. Further, if you chose to use the Silver Oxide Cells, there was a modification that replaced at least the resistor, and I think the transistor as well.

Where is I had to have a conversion, I used quality reproduction parts to make sure it resembled an early jewelry store conversion. Before the factory production of (official), the jewelry stores would do it for you as an option. That steel barrel is a germanium transistor.

Gosh just amazes me how many people like to critique someone's video. I mean he's not saying he invented the bloody thing. He's just giving his information which in most part is all new to someone researching the technology, still very interesting and helpful. People... stop trying to trump knowledge to make yourselves appear more authoritative. Its KZfaq, this ain't the smithsonian. Jezus. Get a grip.

Smaller watches went well with skinny ties. That's one very cool watch. I have a sweet looking caravelle and a 67 marlin that both say waterproof on the dial

M5 at the back means build 1965. Also, what battery you apply with your Accutron? I guess it should be rebuild.

Great review. Where did you get the strap? Matches the watch perfectly!

At 4:37: what happened the quick-release pins in this strap? You seem to have removed them, damaging the strap in the process. Were they in some way incompatible with the watch?

Yes, this is the problem I'm having. My Dad bought this in 1964, and it does say WATERPROOF. Inherited it after my Dad passed a couple of years ago. My uncle said with the 1.55 Volt (394) it won't keep correct time. Right, it runs very fast. It's been hard to find the 1.35. So form what I hear you saying, is that I have one that won't keep the righ5t time with-out a 1.35 ?

Nice very clean and properly put together timepeace, another words kick fucken ass

I Listened to you guy on google podcast. Pls keep it up =)))

What is the band, where did you get it. How much is it?

Nice new channel. Good video.

Genuine question friends of the internet - what service centers would you recommend to send my little spaceview out to? I've had mine for a little over two years, but it stopped running. I'd really love to hear the tuning fork 'hum' again.

I have two of that same accutron model, exact same ones with same chapter ring, same crystal, One is M4 and already has 2 components instead of your transistor, one of them appears to be a diode. The watch has not been 'converted' to 1.5, so it can't be a conversion either. I /suspect/ that the updated the circuitry to have better regulation, but that's my own guess. The other is a stainless M7 and is still marked 'waterproof' so they kept that marking for a long time, or perhaps they kept it on all casebacks for this particular accutron model. Many models were converted, but /that/ model is very likely the best quality watch. The reason I say that is that my M4 is the best accutron AND spaceview I've ever seen, and it's full 18K gold too -- it's the same watch as yours, but 18K, case, back and hands, it's my prized watch, and I prefer it to others in my collection that are 'worth' a lot more!

Interesting fact about "waterproof", I have always wondered why you don't see that on watches now.

Just got one of my own! Where did you get the band?

Fantastic!

your watch is 1965 because has M5 on the back ; also was made in the US because the serial number starts with a letter.

Hello: I have a 1971 214, in 10K filled. I need a new band and was considering a very dark green alligator one, or dark green true Cordovan leather one. I like your band. it's modern and fits but not my style. Thanks...loved the video.

I have an ETA tuning fork movement in a Zenith watch

Hey! Just got my Spaceview today, after watching your video last week! What strap is that, and where can I get it? I NEED it haha I haven't seen a better strap paired with this watch. Any chance you have a link?

One thing I haven't seen discussed, you see on this watch the terminal connection area has all five solder points in use. On later 214's they only use three of them and you can see that they pair-off after the connection. Just something I noticed.

Steel barrel isn't a resistor IMHO that's the transistor that's part of the oscillator.

Fantastic review! I have the same one and its the best. Could you share where I could buy the same strap! Thank you.

Do you repair Accutron watches? Thanks

How were you able to acquire the watch? I am potentially interested in getting one and I was wondering where I should search for one these? Any tips?

I need to know what band that is. Went down an hour-long rabbit hole with no success

Bulova are so cool .... USA #1

I’ve got a ‘64. Pretty cool

What did happen to him? His last video is from 4 years ago. Did he make another channel? Did he stop making content?

it's as smooth as a springdrive

Great video! Any troubleshooting suggestions for one that stopped running after taking a bump?

When you say fake do you mean a 1960's version thats been converted?

Where did you buy that stap sir?

I have purchased a neat 14k bezel asymmetrical version but can't get it to run. Do you repair these?

On the back cover under the serial number M stands for 1960 and the number after if it were a three that's 63 if it were a five that's 65 after M comes N, N equals 1970 the number after is the second digit so M6 is 1966, 66 N4 1974 there's a chart that shows these numbers and what date it correlates with.

Date code is M5. Made in 1965

Thanks for the video. I got one of these at a garage sale for $5 but on the back it says 14k gold. I'm wondering how to tell what year it is. I wonder if I send pics if you can give me more information and estimated value

As others have commented, your Spaceview is a 1965 model, not a particularly early model. Thete is no evidence of your claim that that 99% of earlier dare coded Spaceviews are fakes.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the tuning fork movement ticked 360 times a second or 1,296,000 beats per hour. Wouldn't that make it 180 hertz?

Loved it

Man I need some advice, I dad recently passed and he left me his spaceveiw. I cant seem to find the correct battery for it. Do you have any idea what that might be.please help!!

where is the band from?!

Do you know the part number or size of the crystal you replaced?

Yo con mi tissot 1970 y quiero ese acutron

Is the coil often a potential defect?

Does anyone know if Bulova stopped selling conversion kits once they started producing Spaceview models?

What band is that

This was a really educational video, thanks! I am afraid I would find it too small on my 7.25" wrist. I've seen some of the '70s models with more of a cushion case at 37mm. That might look a bit better? On of my first watches was the original Swatch Jellyfish, so I have a thing for watches where you can see the "guts." The smooth sweep of the Accutron is another great thing I like about them.

So I gotta ask is the accutron more smoother movement than a spring drive grand seiko?

That metal can is the timing Crystal, not a resistor. Or it is a Transistor.

ay so I just got a spaceview 214 and am having 0 luck with bands. Cant find em in stores, cant find em online, cant find em anywhere. Got the one you have here in 18mm width, how the hell did you get this thing on? My spaceview rejects pretty much every strap thats leather silicone etc that I've tried on it.... I almost destroyed this strap trying to put it on. How tf did you do this

Bulova....accent on the first syllable Bul’ o va

Great video. Thanks for talking up the Spaceview. But surely the lume can’t be original if it’s still shining. After only 20-30 years the glow would have all but disappeared, let alone nearly 60 years.

Your watch has the code "M5" on the back. M=1960s; N=1970s, add the 5 as the last digit for year and you have 1965 is the date of manufacture. If it was "N2" then it would be 1972.

Where did you get that band?

please let us know where you got the strap

Dont start me on Accutrons. I collect them. Got dozens. I've had people stab themselves in the eye with a steak knife when i start up on them......... And it doesn't take much to get me started I like to get ppl in with the hummmmmmmmmmm to start with 😛

Where can I buy this one ? Any one say please

Q. When did Bulova stop making an actual "Tuning Fork" powered watch? I think ALL they make today are just quartz movements.

that strap tho.... can you tell me what is it, sir?

Don’t forget LIP

Bull-of-uh...😖

I find it surprising that the guy doesn’t know how to pronounced…..Bull’ la vah……….accent on the first syllable….😆👎

99% of eBay listings are not conversion spaceview. Don’t over exaggerate, but whatever good you think your video serves basically invalidates what you think.

It’s pronounced Bull-uh-vah.

Time is a dead god Thoth 🌹🌚👍 rest in the good news 🌹 okay bye

Imagine doing an exam with this watch on.

The sound kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nM-IrNiGqtXVe2g.html

And no, you kiddies should NOT have these watches. They are much too old for you, too small, and you don't like them...Understand.