Photo Credit: PayLessDestination
14 Karat Gold Bulova Mini Accutron Wristwatch from 1973
Asking Price: $999.99 (price as of 2017; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This magnificent Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch from 1973 has a striking blue enamel dial and a solid 14 karat yellow gold case.
-The Accutron was an innovative movement first released in 1960 by the American watch manufacturer Bulova. The Accutron movement relies on a vibrating tuning fork to keep time. As a result, instead of ticking like a traditional mechanical wristwatch, Bulova Accutrons make a very distinctive humming noise. Vintage watch enthusiasts often consider Accutrons to be a stepping stone between traditional mechanical and modern quartz watch movements.
-This vintage Bulova mini Accutron measures 33.4 mm (1.31 inches) wide, including the crown, and 36.8 mm (1.45 inches) long, including the lugs. This wristwatch is also rather thick, at 9.8 mm (0.39 inches). Chunky wristwatches were very much in style during the 1970s, but the extra thickness also served to accommodate its advanced tuning fork movement.
-Bulova Accutrons were immensely popular from the early 1960s until the mid 1970s. It is estimated that several million movements were produced during this time. The last Accutron tuning fork movements were made in 1976, when they were replaced by cheaper and more accurate quartz technology.
-The use of a Florentine, or textured, gold finish on the case of this Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch is a classic hallmark of 1970s design. The watch’s bold blue dial and stout proportions are also characteristic of the 1970s zeitgeist.
-This Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch uses a Swiss-made 2301 movement, which was one of the smallest Accutron movements Bulova produced. Because of this, the 230 series Accutron movement was usually employed in women’s watches. However, it was occasionally used in men’s watches as well. Given the somewhat larger case size (for the time) of this specimen, I feel that it was probably originally intended to be a man’s wristwatch.
-This vintage Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch has a case made from solid 14 karat yellow gold and was undoubtedly a very expensive watch when new. In fact, this page from a 1972 Bulova dealer’s catalogue lists a similar watch (albeit with a solid gold bracelet that this example lacks) for $475. That would be the equivalent of $2,852 in 2017, after adjusting for inflation.
-I love this watch because it ticks all the right boxes. It is made from solid 14 karat gold. It uses the iconic Bulova Accutron movement. It reflects a quintessentially eye-catching 1970s style. And it is in amazingly good condition. But perhaps most importantly, at only $1,000 this Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch can be your gateway into the world’s most under-owned asset class.
Cons:
-Although Bulova Accutrons have fewer moving parts than traditional mechanical watch movements (12 versus 26, respectively), they still require periodic service. Because the seller has not disclosed whether or not this Bulova mini Accutron wristwatch was recently serviced, it is safe to assume it hasn’t been. Therefore, it would be wise to set aside an additional $100 to $300 for servicing the watch if you plan to buy it.
-I would have loved for the seller to include a photo of the watch movement. This oversight is perhaps forgivable, considering that Bulova Accutrons do not suffer from many of the issues that can affect purely mechanical watch movements.
