Bulova Accutron Repairs

[Alaskamick]

I contacted a respected watch repairer to ask about repairing Bulova accutron tuning fork watches.

 

The reply came back that parts were impossible to source so he couldn't help me.

 

Does anyone on this form repair these watches. I have 2 that were working but now don't and I would prefer to pay for the repairs rather than go through the whole process of trying to learn how to do it myself.

 

Life's too short to start another field, I just want to get to grips with mechanical watches.

 

I started this thread because another member posted about receiving coils which were damaged in the post and it got me thinking. 

[clockboy]

As you have found out repairs are difficult as parts a real problem to find. The same issue applies to this forums members unless there is a member who has the appropriate spares it is going to be difficult to find a repairer.

[Alaskamick]

Thanks clockboy 

[Marc]

Have you tried googling electric-watches?

[Alaskamick]

Hi Marc found one that looks promising but will have to contact him and see.

[CKelly]

Hi,

   Parts are indeed hard to come by that are really working. I have seen people advertising that they work on these watches. If you really need parts it would most likely be easier just to buy working movements of the same calibers you need that work and just change out your hands and dial onto the working movements. I do work on these watches but normally I can buy a working donor watch for a cheaper price than buying a good set of coils. When you do that then you have a spare movement for other parts later.

Charles K

[JohnR725]

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/

[Alaskamick]

Thanks JohnR725, I did find that one and he looks a good possibility. Will contact him soon.

[ricardopalamino]

From "The Accutron Watch Page"....

 

 

[bobm12]

Hi guys and sorry for the detour, but I have a question, not being particularly knowledge/experienced with accutrons.

 

Given that nowadays they are made by Citizen, are they still tuning fork? I would assume not but I'd like to confirm. Information is much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Alaskamick]

Ricardo, thanks a lot. That is one of the best leads I have ever had and will certainly follow it up. Hopeful  :thumbsu:

Edited November 7, 2015 by Alaskamick

[ricardopalamino]

Hi guys and sorry for the detour, but I have a question, not being particularly knowledge/experienced with accutrons.

 

Given that nowadays they are made by Citizen, are they still tuning fork? I would assume not but I'd like to confirm. Information is much appreciated.

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

Hi Bob , I dont think that a tuning fork watch has been made since the 80's .  I have a Hisonic tuning fork watch made by Citizen and licensed from Bulova, then citizen made parts for Bulova then bought by Citizen.....I believe my facts are close .

I'm pretty sure anything else is a quartz . 

  Omega among others used a version of the tuning fork movement and you can see them at :

 

http://electric-watches.co.uk/service-and-repair/

 

http://www.crazywatches.pl/home

 

http://electric-watches.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

 

[bobm12]

Interesting, thanks for the info, Ricardo. Now I know better and very informative pictures!

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[ricardopalamino]

I believe I misspoke . I said , " I don't think that a tuning fork watch has been made since the 80's"…I meant 70's

[CKelly]

Hi,

   Got to jump in here just a second. There was 50th anniversary 214 tuning fork built fairly recently, about 2011. They were limited to about 1000 units and are a little costly. A stainless alpha style spaceview sells for around $3000. You can buy a working 14kt solid gold version of the 1961 model for around $1000.

[ricardopalamino]

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

[SeveP64]

I just pulled apart a 218 today as well. Lots of reference photos were taken, just in case.  :D

[JohnR725]

One of our problems for this discussion is the name Accutron. To us it has a very clear definition of mechanical tuning fork watches. The Bulova later on it was something nifty to put on the dials of quartz watches. They could use it on the grounds that the quartz crystal was in a tuning fork shape. So I've had people asked me about their tuning fork watch and have to explain that it's not a real tuning fork watch even if Bulova claimed it was.

 

Then the website below the entire website is very interesting the page that I have below as something you probably haven't seen before.

 

http://www.decadecounter.com/accutron/clones.htm

[ricardopalamino]

One of our problems for this discussion is the name Accutron. To us it has a very clear definition of mechanical tuning fork watches. The Bulova later on it was something nifty to put on the dials of quartz watches. They could use it on the grounds that the quartz crystal was in a tuning fork shape. So I've had people asked me about their tuning fork watch and have to explain that it's not a real tuning fork watch even if Bulova claimed it was.

 

Then the website below the entire website is very interesting the page that I have below as something you probably haven't seen before.

 

http://www.decadecounter.com/accutron/clones.htm

Thanks , I hadn't seen the page , [interesting read ] , but I have seen the Slava transistor for sale on the bay .

[lowcountry]

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.

[Oldman]

Husband does Accutron repairs and needs a tool: two long wires, one yellow and one blue attached to a small disc that has a plus and minus on the disc. Can anyone help?

[ricardopalamino]

I saw this today...

 

 

[bobm12]

Welcome to the forum oldman, why is husband not here with us? In any case, I guess you got the tool you were asking for (?).

 

Cheers,

 

Bob

[Oldman]

Husband does not want to learn computer, has me do the looking. Saw one on eBay, too, he says does not need other items and doesn't want to pay $100 for the wires he is looking for. Thanks for responding.