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This Accutron has a similar vibe (well, not literally) and I think the same fake crocodile pattern on the strap.

A nice watch with a long name . Automatic , 19 jewels , day / date with the day in Kanji at 6 o'clock , 38mm w/out crown , the standard Orient date change push button , and a scuba dude emblem on the caseback . A friend and acquaintance from the Seiko Citizen Watch Forum and regular seller of hard to get Seikos and Citizens on Ebay , that goes by the username of Seikocitizencollector , emailed me and asked If i could look at his NOS CitizenHi-Sonic for a few repairs . On a normal mechanical watch the repairs are minor , but the Hi-Sonic has the same movement as the Bulova Accutron tuning fork 218 model . The stem would not stay in the watch so he took it to a watchmaker for the repair and when he got it back the stem was still out and now the watch would still hum but not run . He sent the watch to me and I discovered that the setting lever screw was broken . To replace the screw you have to remove the train wheel bridge ,which on a regular mechanical watch isn't a big deal , but on an Accutron you start sweating bullets because you have to deal with the tiny index and pawl jewel fingers , and the VERY delicate 320 tooth index wheel . To make a long story short I asked for a watch in payment . He was awaiting a lot from Japan and he gave me several good choices , and I chose the Orient . When I got it I found the tightest case back in the history of the world . It was tight , had dirt and was rusted to the case . It took me a couple of weeks to finally loosen it . I found a very clean movement inside . It came with an expansion watch band which I changed out with one I had in my stash as well as install a new crystal ........... The Gentleman was also kind enough to include a bonus watch . A Seiko 5 , with a 5126 - 7040 movement and case . The 5126 movement is a little more complicated then the standard Seiko movements in it's autowind mechanism . Gears instead of the normal "Magic Fingers "

Hi and thanks to all, f300 are (IMHO) the "easiest" to fiddle among the tuning fork watches, they are built into two different modules one for the fork itself with the index wheel and the other for the watch itself, but any case really tricky even with a good microscope and firm hands (no my case) I dared to touch some, incredibly easy to break or unset the fingers and very delicate to adjust, but never tried even to touch any accutron (the original and first diapason watch)) I hope to learn a lot from your awesome knowledge and ideas, and share some of my projects, usually very simple ones, as my hands and eyesight aren't what they used to be. Again thank you all for your warm welcome. Ricardo

Hi, and thanks for the greetings, I have some accutrons as well, I discovered through the expensive path that you could destroy a tuning fork watch if you dare to more than watching it, although I was able to revive some thanks to old stock bought years ago, but quite expensive in today's market. I promise that I will never touch an accutron further than hands, dial or keyless, but was able to repair and adjust some ESA and Omegas. those movements are far easier than bulovas, even with my hands and a microscope. Not dealing with tasks as I only dream with better tools, but keen to learn and share if I can help in any way. Again thanks for the welcome post. Ricardo

In Hawaii... I received a Bulova Accutron Astronaut Limited Edition re-edition automatic signed by Buzz Aldrin today . It is a re-edition of the 60's- 70's Accutron Astronaut tuning fork watch . The Specs are : Accutron Astronaut Watch. ETA 2893-2, automatic, self-winding mechanical GMT movement. Domed sapphire crystal. Luminous hands and markers. Exhibition see-through four-screw caseback featuring Buzz Aldrin signature. Stainless steel case and bracelet. Fixed bezel-ring with anodized 24-hour scale in day/night colors. Deployment buckle closure with lock. Water resistant to 100meters/330feet. Approximate case diameter/width 42mm. -#0237/1000--SWISS MADE -AUTOMATIC 21-JEWEL MECHANICAL GMT MOVEMENT CALIBER ETA2893-2 -DUAL TIME ZONE WITH A 24-HOUR SCALE -LUMINESCENT HANDS AND HOUR MARKERS -100m WATER RESISTANT -100% SOLID STAINLESS STEEL -TWO-TONE POLISHED/BRUSHED STEEL FINISH -SQUEEZE-RELEASE BUTTERFLY HIDDEN CLASP -SAPPHIRE BEVELED CRYSTAL -SEE-THRU CASE BACK ETCHED WITH THE SIGNATURE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEGENDARY ASTRONAUT Buzz Aldrin--INCLUDES A NASA LAPEL PIN -CASE DIAMETER IS 42mm EXCLUDING CROWN BY 12mm HIGH -LUG SIZE IS 22mm

After thinking about autowinds "Timex" remark "Takes a licking but keeps on ticking!" I found this list below for most of the watches: A Alpha: "Telling time, since the beginning" Alpina- Official timepiece of the 12 Hours of Sebring 2009 Audemars Piguet- The Watch of Your Life B Ball Watch Company - Since 1891, accuracy under adverse conditions Ball (old) - "Carry a Ball and time them all." Benrus - "With a Benrus- any Benrus- you've got something better up your sleeve." Blancpain - "Since 1735, there has never been a quartz Blancpain watch. And there never will be. Blancpain - "Since 1735, there has never been a Blancpain with a black dial. And there never will be." Bovet- Only the best is good enough Bulova - Time Flies. Bulova Soars. Bulova (Accutron) - Who said seconds don't count? Bulova (Accutron) - They tell it like it is Bulova (Accutron) - Only a "freak" can be as accurate as Accutron C Citizen - "Beyond Precision" Citizen Eco-Drive - It's unstoppable. Just like the people who wear it. Chopard- Time, incomparably crafted Carl F. Bucherer - "Ahead of the times" Carl F. Bucherer - "For people who do not go with the times." Corum - "Unlock and Conquer" Casio - Casio. Technology for life. D Daniel Roth- Masterpieces in the art of watchmaking Doxa- the Original Orange Face Diver Watch Dubey & Schaldenbrand- What other watches? E Ebel - 'Architects of time.' Edouard Lauzieres - and time doesn't simply go by G Girard-Perregaux - "Watches for the few since 1791". H H - Hamilton The watch of railroad accuracy . I Invicta- smarter by the second IWC - 'The engineer of fine watchmaking.' . J Jaeger-LeCoultre- Have you ever worn a real watch? K L Longines- Elegance is an attitude M Movado- The Art of Time . O Omega Watches- "Quality that Last, till the end of Time" Omega - "Exact time for life." Officine Panerai - Panerai. Where ideas come to life. P Patek Philippe - “You never really own a Patek Philippe, you merely take care of it for the next generation.” R Rolex - "The crown of achievement." Rolex- A crown for every Achievement S Seiko - "Man invented time... Seiko perfected it" Swatch - Fashion that ticks T TAGHeuer- What are you made of? TAGHeuer-Swiss avant-garde since 1860 Timex - "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking." U Ulysse Nardin - "Swiss watch manufacturer since 1846" V Vacheron Constantin - "Do better when possible, and it's always possible" Vacheron Constantin- More than 250 years of continuous history Ventura- Design on time W Wempe: Show your true feelings (printed on the inside of their gift/display boxes) Z Zeno-Watch Basel: The Sky Is The Limit But could you come up with a better one..?? ;)

The Voumard Accutron Hallmark and Hunter are all running. The Hamilton pocket watch runs when I give the barrel a little pressure with my thumb nail. I'll have to look for a stem to give it a wind.

I’m a time freak, being a Quartemaster at sea “doing” celestial navigation. I’ve restored many old clock movements and a had a couple of Accutrons for my dad. Even resurrected an awesome grandfather clock. My DTD watch is a Bulova Sea King. Love the accuracy of the Precisionist/Accutron II complication. I bought the single time but it only came with a rubber strap. So I ordered a chrono Sea King and swapped to the metal signed (Sea King) bracelet. At first I liked the steel bezel, but now really want a Rolex style submariner ceramic bezel. I am paranoid to do the “butter knife”bezel removal, and even wondering if the hex head screws on it are just decorative or are they some kind of proprietary locking mechanism. Not a whole lot of info on this watch and zero mods. I really think with a black classic bezel this watch will really pop and stand up to any Submariner Homage and having the Accutron II just makes it even cooler. I want to make this swap, and if successful buy several more and outfit them with the signed bracelet and black ceramic bezel and sell them to fellow Coast Guard Chiefs as our “Chiefs Watch”. So, I request help for the following:1. How do I safely remove the current bezel? If I have to purchase a tool what do I get?2. How do I measure and then order a replace bezel? Will generic submariner bezels of the same pop on mine?3. Who’s a good reliable bezel watch parts supplier to order the bezel and ceramic insert?

Welcome to the forum. I have 2 Bulova Accutrons. 1 working fine and the other a parts donor. After reading the service manual and watching a few YouTube videos on Accutrons, I don't think I have the guts to disassemble one. There is supposed to be an index wheel in there with teeth so fine and delicate that if the second hand is not fitted spot on without any rotational movement, the teeth could get damaged. There aren't many watchmakers out there who can service an Accutron. If you search the web, there is only a handful. Good luck in your seach.

Very Interesting! Good luck! I couldn't help but notice how closely the wheel in your 5th picture resembles the index wheel and fingers of a Bulova Accutron (at least I think it does)

Welcome Brad, I did run across this blog https://jpmoeller.com/2017/01/03/bulova-accutron-2181/ that might help you a bit further. If this was a "hey, I just found this old watch from Dad and I'd like to tinker with it" project, then by all means, go ahead (cautiously) and get some practice movements first. If this is an heirloom that you want to keep and wear to remind you of your father, then I'd highly recommend taking it to a professional watch repairer rather than attempt it yourself. With your first watches you take to pieces you WILL break parts, lose parts and be unable to identify parts for replacement, let alone being able to source them. It's part of the journey we all take and it's best to cut your teeth on something that wouldn't be too difficult to toss into the bin.

Take a look here. It may help a bit. https://watchguy.co.uk/service-bulova-accutron-2181/

Giving my Accutron Yellow Dot a try today, first time on the wrist

I'm really thankful to have come across this site and Mark Lovick's great videos. For someone trying to learn the craft here in a log cabin in West Virginny, they've been a godsend. Aren't too many watchmakers in my neck of the woods. I've been studying watchmaking at home for about a year now. I've also been taking classes at NAWCC's School of Horology in Columbia, PA but the school no longer has a degree program; so, I have to take them as they are available. They are a great experience and I've learned a lot but it's slow going. I've set up the beginnings of a shop in my basement using my great-grandmother's vanity, mounted on blocks, as a workbench. I'm still "tooling up"; looking for things I can afford on a limited budget. I've attached a picture of the watch I'm wearing now. It's an Accutron automatic. Didn't know Accutron made mechanical watches (I got an original Accutron tuning fork watch when I graduated from high school in the 1960's) but one day I chanced by it at a jewelry store near my office. I liked square case and the dial and since it was a clearance item I got it for a very good price, so I bought it. I can't afford really high-end watches unless I can get a good deal on one that needs restoration which I can do myself. So that's my goal: to develop the ability to someday take a good watch that's not working and make it work. I particularly love Omega watches. In the meantime I have had a few successes with cheaper watches but I'm still breaking more than I fix! Given that I'm "old" my greatest difficulty is steadying my hands but I've improved at that by putting in a lot of "tweezer time".

I finally latched onto a nice Accutron "Woody " after making several attempts in the past . I can honestly say that I really like this 218 Accutron , probably as much as my 214 Astronaut .

I'm not a watch collector but may become one. My Accutron 214 that I bought new in 1966 stopped working and after searching for repairers, I found it would cost about $300. So I started searching for good quality used watches and settled on Seiko and Longines. My first purchase was a Seiko Diver 200m 7n36-6A49 in near mint condition. I'm not a diver but it looked cool and was in great condition. After more than 1 month it is still accurate within +-1 second. I then started reading about HAQ watches and bought a Longines Conquest VHP quartz L237.2 L1.613.9 probably made around 1993. It has not lost or gained one second after 3 weeks. This watch looks like it has never been worn and it came with two extra links, extra pins, original outer box, inner box, instruction booklet in 4 languages including English, the warranty card with fields blank, another small card in Japanese and the jewelry store business card in Japanese. All these items are also in mint condition. Pages of the manual look they were never turned. Even the clasp appears never to have been opened as it is very tight with no sign of wear., So Maybe I've caught the collector bug because I continue reading about watches and have joined about six watch forums. henryr

The Accutron is in great cosmetic condition. With the naked eye the crystal is scratch free and face and hands look new. There are a very few light surface scratches on the back, sides, bezel and bow ties. From a foot away they hard to see. Any idea what it might be worth after repair?

Hello, I'm a retired aerospace engineer and recently developed an interest in older watches. I bought an Accutron new in 1966 and it recently died. I wanted to replace so I started researching watches and decided on getting a used watch. I recently bought a SEIKO 7N36-6A49 Scuba Divers made in 1995 and a Longines VHP quartz probably from the late 1980s. Now I want to learn more.

Hi, Hector here. I am a dentist by training and it has been my day job for the past 34 years. My other pastimes include building and repairing all sorts of stuff. Just keeping my office equipment in working order has made me learn plumbing, electricity, electronics, computing... Jack of all trades, master of none. I took up a basic course in watch repair about 1 1/2 years ago because I couldn't find any watch repairer willing to repair my daily ticker. And I got hooked! In the last 18 months, I've serviced mechanical, automatic, quartz, electric, an Accutron, a long case clock, a ship's clock, kitchen timers... It has been a really interesting, challenging, frustrating and rewarding 18 months. And I look forward to the next project...

right you are, the simple "multimeter" is not sensitive, presisign, enough for electronics. I can't remember the one that was. i'll drag the one out that is. also, accutron had a special meter for that mvt. (I have one of those too). ALSO; I think we have a eleictronics engineer in this forum? OH - how I hate eleictronics ! vin

Today I'm wearing my Bulova accutron "hummer" This was my second electronic watch. I bought it as a bare movement, then got a case and dial combo. It's a pretty finicky movement. It will randomly stop for no apparent reason. I have to tap on the case at the 2 o'clock position several times to Kickstart the tuning fork. I'd love to get it serviced and properly tuned, but there are so few people who work on these and my finances won't allow it, so I just deal with these quirks. I certainly am not a confident enough watchmaker to tackle one of these myself.

Ive found a trick that may work with other watches, but works great for Accutron 214,--which is basically most of what Ive been doing lately.... bung all four wheels in, lay bridge carefully in place, lined up with dowels and screw-holes, then gently tap movement holder at 45 deg angle with tweezers they all just fall into place, bung screws in after confirming train free--job done. --It took longer for me to write this, than to refit the four wheels and bridge to the 214, but as I say--it may not work for other movements. poking round inside Accutron with a pin or summit to line wheels up is Not an option due to delicate nature of index-wheel--one touch on the teeth of that, its stuffed.

It's a standard problem for 218 watches. If you're not familiar with the watch you really should have the service manual if you're not familiar with the watch you probably shouldn't work on the watch. Page 30 of the PDF manual below shows the Canon pinion labeled as center wheel assembly. Then it's also found on page 35 showing how it's lubricated just don't use their lubrication recommendation as it's a very poor choice. Then before you rush out in order your canon pinions/center wheel assembly you'll have to take the old one out and measure the height. http://www.decadecounter.com/accutron/Accutron218ServiceManual.pdf

Accutron use these weirdos, let me find what size they are.....

I've repivoted Accutron wheels before, probably the best route for you. I've read that not only the pivots are different but the wheels themselves are slightly different, enough that they don't interchange even with resized pivots. These are apparently exceedingly rare- one source I saw says around 1000 made.