This is a fabulous solid 14k gold Accutron asymmetrical watch that was used by Bulova in 1960 to launch the famous 214 tunning fork movement with its high accuracy and smoothest sweeping seconds hand in its day. Even today, it moves smoother than high beat automatic watches. This model is one of the rarest most collectable Accutron watches. The design is the height of mid-century futuristic style. It is both masculine with its beefy solid gold case and formal, with its elegant Florentine patterned bezel. The angled square case measures 27mm wide to 32mm wide, for an average of about 30mm. This is a substantial size for its day and is still a good size today with its squared shape.
This watch has a lot of gold in it -- about $730 worth. This watch has a total of about 17 or 18 grams of solid 14k gold. Here's how I estimated it: Accutron forum posts specify that the 214 movements with dial and hands weigh roughly 12 grams. The crystal typically weighs about 1.4grams. Also, it looks like the caseback's battery holder may be stainless steel for better screwing security. Taking the batter holder out, the watch weighs 31 grams. Subtracting another 13.5 grams for the movement, dial and hands, leaves 17.5 grams. The current price for 14k gold per gram is $43.43 gives this watch a gold value of about $730.
The watch is in good to very good vintage condition. The case shows regular wear, with small scratches and buffs. There are a few small indentations from opening the case. The Florentine bezel looks very fine. The dial and hands look clean. I cannot tell if the dial is original or a super-good refinish. The acrylic crystal is in very good condition, with only a few tiny marks, most of which can be seen only under magnification. All should buff out if desired. Overall, the watch looks great on the wrist. Just look at the pictures to see for yourself.
The 214 tuning fork movement hums with a battery, but the hands don't move. This is typical of an Accutron that has not had a service in many years. I put in the battery only to test it and took it out to not strain the movement. It's hum is a very good sign for pros who service Accutrons to get them going again. Like all model 214s, the watch sets from the caseback. There is a little handle that you pull up and then turn to set the hands. The handle on this one swings down when holding the watch face up, so be a little careful setting the watch on a table.
This watch is on a new old stock Accutron vintage genuine alligator leather black strap and has its vintage gold filled (1/20 10k gold) original Accutron buckle, which is in excellent condition. The strap is 17mm wide at the lugs. The lugs are about 17 &1/2mm wide, so they will fit most 17mm and 18mm straps.
The watch also comes with a handsome modern Accutron wooden presentation box. This box obviously is not the original box, but is high quality and makes a very good impression.
These were expensive high-tech watches when released and it shows when you handle one. They was $300 in 1960 and not discounted when released (unlike most watches), which in today's dollars adjusted for inflation would be $3,160. With my ultra-low starting bid, you will not likely get another of these hard-to-get stunning vintage watches for a better deal.
On May-09-24 at 09:37:28 PDT, seller added the following information:Hello -- an Accutron expert pointed out to me that the movement plates appear to be gold plated. That indicates that the 214 movement (or at least some of the parts) are not the 1960 original 214 movement, since Bulova switched from steel to gold tone plates some time around 1970. As vintage watches are repaired over time, parts and movements are sometimes replaced. Since this watch was not a mint safe-queen, you should get it to enjoy, collect, appreciate, and wear. Bu don't expect it to be near museum grade or that it has had no replacement parts over the last 50 + years.