Antique shop find today
Went to a local antique shop with my wife today, and ran across this watch. Bulova Accuquartz. After looking at similar values on Chrono24, had to pick it up for a possible flip, lol! Although it's pretty cool, and movement is US made, might have to keep it. I'll pick up a fresh battery for it and see what happens. Should have a nice, almost totally smooth seconds hand sweep too.
12 comments
Sort by
Myles
Used to collect cheap and weird digital watches when I was young. Now I've moved on to mechanical watches. I also like modding them, especially the cheap ones!
Oregon, USA
Member since
Last active: 4 hrs ago
17.78 cm
Dang, that's a great find!
Love that kind of dial. Great find
That’s a great find.
NICE!!! Def from the 70's 👍 Case is almost identical to my late-model Timex Q-nograph 😎
NICE!!! Def from the 70's 👍 Case is almost identical to my late-model Timex Q-nograph 😎
Yeah, going by the stampings on the caseback, it's probably a 1972. And the top lugs of the case is similar to your Q, but look at the bottom lugs. I didn't even notice until looking at the pictures, but the bottom half of the case is more curved and narrower. I'm fact, the bracelet is different top and bottom, very different!
These are pretty interesting, the only example of a tuning fork watch movement being controlled by a Quartz crystal. Normally these were two separate technologies!
https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/accutron/accuquartz-224/https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/accutron/accuquartz-224/
These are pretty interesting, the only example of a tuning fork watch movement being controlled by a Quartz crystal. Normally these were two separate technologies!
https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/accutron/accuquartz-224/https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/accutron/accuquartz-224/
I read about that after I bought it. I was planning of cleaning it up and selling it, but it's a pretty interesting and unique watch, it turns out, makes it a harder decision! Just got a fresh battery today, so I'll put that in, and if it works, I'll wear it and see what I decide to do.
Good luck, these are getting harder to service, hope the battery fixes all!
Good luck, these are getting harder to service, hope the battery fixes all!
I put the battery in, and nothing happened. But I think I have the wrong battery. I pulled the one out and bought a replacement (386), but when I had the caseback off, I saw it said what to use (218). The Accutron 218 battery is mercury and not made anymore, and when searching, it sounds like the 344 is the correct replacement. Sounds like the 386 sometimes works, but can short out on some cases. Really hoping that's all it is. When I tap the sides of the case, the seconds hand moves, so I think it's mechanically OK, so really hoping the correct battery will work. Almost lost that little spring strap that goes over the battery yesterday, pinged off and flew into my pile of stuff. So relieved when I found it! I'll be using Rodico when I take it off next time!
I put the battery in, and nothing happened. But I think I have the wrong battery. I pulled the one out and bought a replacement (386), but when I had the caseback off, I saw it said what to use (218). The Accutron 218 battery is mercury and not made anymore, and when searching, it sounds like the 344 is the correct replacement. Sounds like the 386 sometimes works, but can short out on some cases. Really hoping that's all it is. When I tap the sides of the case, the seconds hand moves, so I think it's mechanically OK, so really hoping the correct battery will work. Almost lost that little spring strap that goes over the battery yesterday, pinged off and flew into my pile of stuff. So relieved when I found it! I'll be using Rodico when I take it off next time!
Yes, indeed, this isn’t easy. You need a 1.35 volt silver oxide battery, but it needs some modifications to fit well and maintain correct contacts. Here’s a link to one vendor that offers modified batteries https://www.esslinger.com/accucell-1-35-volt-batteries-to-fit-bulova-accutron-with-grommet-and-tab/
I’m not sure unmodified 344’s will work.
Good luck!!
Yes, indeed, this isn’t easy. You need a 1.35 volt silver oxide battery, but it needs some modifications to fit well and maintain correct contacts. Here’s a link to one vendor that offers modified batteries https://www.esslinger.com/accucell-1-35-volt-batteries-to-fit-bulova-accutron-with-grommet-and-tab/
I’m not sure unmodified 344’s will work.
Good luck!!
What I've read on some other forums say the 344 works well, but man, why did they use a 1.35v originally? Was that a standard voltage at the time? And whoa, $16 for a button battery, ouch. But I see they sell gaskets too, and the caseback gasket on mine has seen better days. It's a little older than me, and I know I'VE seen better days too, lol! Thanks for the link and info!
Edit: Doing a little research, and this special battery would be needed with a purely tuning fork Accutron watch, but it appears the Accuquartz will run fine on a 1.55v silver oxide 344 with no modifications. I'm guessing the quartz regulation part fixes any issues the tuning fork would have with the voltage difference.
What I've read on some other forums say the 344 works well, but man, why did they use a 1.35v originally? Was that a standard voltage at the time? And whoa, $16 for a button battery, ouch. But I see they sell gaskets too, and the caseback gasket on mine has seen better days. It's a little older than me, and I know I'VE seen better days too, lol! Thanks for the link and info!
Edit: Doing a little research, and this special battery would be needed with a purely tuning fork Accutron watch, but it appears the Accuquartz will run fine on a 1.55v silver oxide 344 with no modifications. I'm guessing the quartz regulation part fixes any issues the tuning fork would have with the voltage difference.
Good info, once to learn from each other.