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I picked these up this year...It was an Accutron , Omega year.... Blue Ripplss.... Constellation.... Seamaster

Howzit ramrod , Happy Holidays to you and all the members . I really do like and wear my Astronaut . Since I bought it I have installed a new crystal and changed out the watch band to a coffin link bracelet that I had on a vintage Seiko DX . I swapped the deployment clasps also . Believe me when I say that I would not dissuade you or anyone from getting a watch that they had their sights on . ...But as far as the Accutrons go , they ARE a different breed . If you decide to get one I suggest that you read up on them first , get one that is running , and know that they are not as easy to work on as say , a mechanical watch or even a Quartz . If you need to get one serviced there are sites [even advertised on Ebay ] , that do a flat rate service for a little under $200 . I am still learning to service them , starting with the 218 model . I have bought and am still buying watches , movements , and parts , running and not , the tools and meters to service them , the tech manuals , and even a new stereo microscope with a camera port and camera so I can see them on my monitor . So far I have about 10 complete working watches , and 2 or 3 works in progress . I even have a Citizen Hisonic which is the same tuning fork movement . FYI , there is also a Bulova Astronaut Limited Edition with a Swiss ETA automatic movement . That one is on my wish list . It has a crystal presentation back and is signed by the Astronaut Buzz Aldrin . A little pricy , but very nice . I hope I shed a little light about these beautiful Accutron movements....

So I have two links with some additional information about the Accucells irst link it's at the bottom of the page. Second link is from the person who is selling these http://members.iinet.net.au/~fotoplot/accbat.htm.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Accucell-1-Battery-For-Bulova-Accutron-Power-Cell-/231786028602 Then a slightly different link mercury batteries were just a problem for watches their problem for other things. So you read all the way through this or skim through it they do talk about the diodes it might be possible adapt one of their diodes release give you a clue as to what you're looking for. http://www.butkus.org/chinon/batt-adapt-us.pdf Then the original one of these my understanding was they use the resistor to drop the voltage later ones use a Diode. Then the link below is a picture of the internal construction. http://www.accutron214.com/accutronparts/pages/batteries.htm

Hi ramrod , I believe that the only watches that will hum are the tuning fork watches....Bulova Accutron , Citizen Hisonic , Omega f300 , Longines Ultrasonic and others . Most other electrics use a balance and pallet fork to drive gears , therefore tick . I just checked a Hamilton electric I have and it was ticking away as was my Elgin , Gruen , and Timex electrics . The innards of the electrics are interesting to look at , but if not used for a while it seems that they all need a shake back and forth to kick start them . After going through my electric watch phase I think that I'll stick to Accutrons and Mechanicals , although I like the look of the Seiko chronographs . I just don't care for their finicky circuit blocks [circuit boards ] .

well, i received said watch today - just about an hour ago. i examined it and moved the pinion spring as anil suggested. i don't have a battery to put in it. i've contacted the owner of the link that johnr725 posted for me (http://electric-watches.co.uk ) . i'll wait to hear back from him (paul) to see what battery to install in it. when i pull the crown it pulls, not stiffly but with more effort than an auto or hand winder that i'm used to, but as it's pulled out, the minute hand advances about 7 or 8 minutes each time. it's kind of funny to watch it. 7 or 8 minutes each time. i'm anxious to see if it has a sound when it runs. does anyone have an electric that could tell me? i know this is a bit old school as compared to, say an accutron, but i'm hoping it has a hum to it. it is definitely NOS. this watch band has probably never even been strapped to a wrist. it is arrow straight and has no marks on it. the case is slightly tarnished and could use a polish. but there's not a dent in it or a scratch anywhere. the crystal ha a mark around the 7 o'clock position. it looks like it could polish out. i might just get this running (hopefully) and wear it for a while. then......see ya! lol who knows.

And some you win ! The engine room is fully functional George with a new battery inserted and would you believe the pointers are moving as well. There is a slight blemish to the left of the tuning fork insignia but I have decided to leave it alone for now and just check the accuracy is ok. The Vendor has put a new brown seiko calfskin strap on it which, though not quite right for the SS watch will also do for now. So I have a fully functional Accutron 2210 - total cost £38.00 which will do for me - question is - will I ever sell it on (wife laughs in the background) - OK probably not. Cheers, Vic

Got some coils delivered for an Accutron 218 (£19.61) but unfortunately the packaging was less than robust. The vendor attached the coils in packets to a bit of card and put them in a bubble envelope which has subsequently been stood on or put through a machine. The postage was free and he says he has sent out lots like this without problem - so just my bad luck I suppose. Initial contact seems positive however, for a replacement or partial refund ! - heres hoping. Cheers, Vic

Here are a couple of PDF's for the 221X mechanism. In the past I have posted info for the 214 and 218 only so this is an addition for Bulova tuning fork Watches. The 2210 has a quite funky tuning fork with its curvy tines. The Index wheel has 270 teeth and the watch Hums at 440HZ which some of the musicians amongst us may recognise. Anyway before I drift off on one here is the info:- Accutron 221.pdf Technical Letters 2.pdf Cheers, Vic

Which Accutron models do you have? I have quite a few parts for the 214 and 218 in stock, as I repair them. Also have the 2200 and 2300 parts as well. I am in the Us not sure where you are located. I will be glad to try and assist you just let me know.

Hey Ricardo, Thanks for sharing the pictures of the accutron. I like it very much especially the double crown that I am guessing is to turn the inner bezel to let one know when...well, when oxygen is running out--It is a diving watch after all! I love the Bulova line and all their quirky case shapes and styles throughout the year. i have discovered that they aren't that easy to work on for a number of reasons, and strangely enough there are some similarities to Omega in their workings. Here are some pictures of the movement of my Oceanographer 666. J Thanks for posting! J

I gotta share this .....I got my first non working 218 Accutron running today . Granted it did humm when I put in a battery , but the index and pawl fingers were both out of alignment with the index wheel and the pawl index finger was bent and twisted . I managed to straighten it out a bit and align both index fingers and jewels with the index wheel including the proper hack spacing on the pawl jewel . I did have to use my 10x loupe and my new new 7x - 45x stereo microscope to do this .....but it's running on my wrist . Step 2 is to take it apart now , clean and lube it and put it back together....YIKES !! I have some spare movements I can practice on . Baby steps at this time . The stereo microscope is attached in the link : http://www.amscope.com/stereo-microscopes/7x-45x-trinocular-stereo-microscope-with-80-led-light-1-3mp-usb-digital-camera.html

From "The Accutron Watch Page"....

Have you tried googling accutron repair uk Comes up with a nice list. So Worldwide there still are few people repairing tuning fork watches out there even though parts are getting hard to find if not perhaps impossible depending upon what you're looking for. After all they came out about 50 years ago and the parts probably weren't met to last forever at least the supply. The link below is somebody repairing electric watches strangely enough he doesn't appear to do quartz watches? Then the really outstanding feature this website is his obsession with electric watches and putting all about on the website. So there's a really impressive website a lot of knowledge on electric watches. Although might not be that helpful apparently he's in the process of moving someplace and won't be taking work in until sometime in December. http://electric-watches.co.uk/service-and-repair/

I am interested to hgear what tools would work to extract a winding stem. I have an accutron in the same boat that I don't want to disassemble.

Hello Warrior Is it possible to have a look at the workings of this watch and the back. It may be that this watch is actually Quartz and not an Accutron type which means we are into a different fix. It looks a tad like the 98B xxx series style. Either way you need to open it up as there are loads of different models of this sort of watch. If it is a tuning fork watch Georges fix may well work providing the right battery has been inserted. More info needed though. Cheers, Vic

You are absolutely right, the oil may be thinned or completely dissolved by the spray (or so is my concern too). I'm just hoping that there is some oily component that prevents the complete loss of lubricant...again, just hoping. As far as the electronic components including coils, it should not harm them at all...otherwise, why advertise it as "quartz movement cleaner"! But again, who knows...My thoughts too, it is to send the watch to an accutron expert. In any case, I wish you much success whatever you decide to do! Cheers, Bob

Thanks for your advice. I haven't seen the quartz quick clean before. It could be handy in some cases. Anyway, I think I'm too afraid to test it with accutron. It will probably flush away all oil from jewels (if there is any left...) and I'm very concerned about coils not to ruin them. I think too that disassembling would be the only right method to clean the movement, but probably its best not to do it myself. I don't have for example stereo microscope for adjusting indexing mechanism...

Thanks both for your advice. I'm not concerned about the accuracy, I'm actually very pleased to it, I'm only concerned if it will make some harm to the movement that the fingers are that dirty. I think it looks like brass oxidation as it is green.... could it be that the watch has been sitting for a very long time, and the index wheel toothed surface has been oxidised? When the new battery has been put to the watch and it has started, the jewels have "brushed" the oxidation away, and it has remained to the jewels? I have cleaned mechanical watches, and I'm not afraid to disassemble the gear train of the Accutron, but I'm not sure if I'm capable to handle the indexing mechanism.... And here in Finland is just a few watchmakers who even knows what a tuning fork watch is and those watchmakers has started on 70's, younger ones haven't even heard about them :rolleyes: . If it is safe to just let it run, I will keep it as it has been until now. If the mechanism is stiff, it will drain the battery quicker, right ? It should run with AG10 battery for approximately 11 months, am I right ? Thanks for your opinions, very appreciated ! It is no use to trying to discuss about technical matters at Finnish FB-groups, people is just bragging about how expensive watches and cars they have .....

Howzit Vic , I'm on a vacation right now , but when I get home I'll post some Accutron pics . I was amazed at a pic of the index mechanism with the teeth on the index wheel visible , the small misalignment of the pawl jewel , and the pile of debris at the end of the index jewels .

Howzit Vic , I moved to a new post . Part 1 was turning into a Novel . You had said that you use altered [ filed , cut ] hypodermic needles to as a tool for the Accutron index /pawl finger collets . Can you please explain that more ? A couple of pics would help . Mahalo , Louis

I can't seem to access the Accutron Page lately . I am trying to get the info on phasing for silver oxide batteries but can't connect . Does any one have this info or is anyone else also also having a problem connecting ? Thanks , Louis

You might also have a look on the accutron site at rephrasing where they also cover the phenomenon called double and triple indexing, if it is not the battery the watch may need rephrasing to resolve issues Cheers, Vic

Thanks I have the accutron post bender and the collet tool also I think if I can find them. Just like to try new ideas. Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know if Vic will be able to cope with this Accutron porn! It should have read "Booty" not "Bowtie" ;)

Thanks George, I am thinking about stripping away or cutting off some parts of a scrapper to get some pics of the index wheel with jewels in place to try and demystify some of the accutron oddities, but unfortunately I have other stuff calling me so it will have to go on the back burner. I should have mentioned to folk not to use the tools straight away but give them a good clean before every use to get rid of any shavings, one of which would knack the index wheel action if it got into the teeth, blow air through the tubes and ultrasonic if necessary, demagnetise etc, I always have a quick look at mine under the scope. I have to emphasise to all that I am in no way to be considered an expert on Accutrons but muddle along quite happily because I like them. Cheers, Vic