Bulova Accutron Astronaut

[GH85Carrera]

I have a Accutorn Astronaut like this one only mine has a the stanless steel "bullet" style band. It belonged to my dad. He was a pilot in the Air Force. I know he wore it a lot during his Air Force career and it is the one watch of his I plan to keep.

It has a cracked crystal and no battery.

I have looked around on the internet and found one company called Old Father Time.

ACCUTRON WATCH REPAIR - BULOVA APPROVED DEALER

They charge $346 for a basic service & battery. The crystal is about $100 more. It seems like they have a good reputation.

My question for the board is this the place to use?
I bet MoterMeister has a nice web site. I just don't want to send my watch to the MoterMiester of watch shops.

[scottmandue]

Back when I was a watch geek (now recovering) I think I came across a Bulova Accutron form somewhere online.

[HHI944]

Neat!
Have you tried Bulova? The should be able to service it despite the age, a price estimate will only cost you shipping both ways.
Service Department
26-15 Brooklyn-Queens Expy
Woodside, NY 11377
800-233-3350

There's a guy on island here who's considered to be the top of the field for watchmakers, he actually developed a movement and sold it to Bulova. His prices are right about in line with those.

[HHI944]

ACCUTRON WATCH REPAIR - OFFICIAL SITE: Bulova Recommended for Accutron Watch Repair Service

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by HHI944

ACCUTRON WATCH REPAIR - OFFICIAL SITE: Bulova Recommended for Accutron Watch Repair Service

That is the same site I had in my original post.

I just want to be sure this is the right place to send it.

[HHI944]

Oops, so it is. Looks pretty legitimate to me. I can't find any complaints. Check out the Bulova sub forum on watchuseek and ask around, that place is pretty much the pelican of watches, someone always knows something there.

[scottmandue]

Never used this guy but this is a link I remember:

The Accutron Place

and

http://www.accutrons.com/

No affiliation, association, of affection for any of these people.

A Bulova Accutron Spaceview was on my short list before I got cured ( I mean married).

[Chocaholic]

This is the guy:

Mark Sirianni Watch Repair
25 Fraley St.
Kane, PA 16735
814-837-9345
web: Watch Repair & Restoration | Rolex, Bulova, Omega & More

Mark does repairs for many, many watch dealers. He's quick, reliable, inexpensive and honest. $300+ seems outrageous to repair your watch. My son's Invicta auto died recently and Mark made it like new for $85 including return shipping. Give him a ring and discuss it with him. Assuming there isn't something very unusual about that watch, I suspect you'll come away impressed.

No vested interest...just a happy customer.

[LeeH]

Does it need repairing or just a battery? Seems like $100 should more than cover crystal and battery.

[GWN7]

My year old Bulova needed a new battery. Took it to the local dealer and a battery was $22 or I could buy a "Lifetime" battery for $39. Basically when the battery dies they replace it as long as your alive. I went for the deal. Take it to your local dealer and get a quote before sending it out.

[GH85Carrera]

Remember this is an Accutron with the tuning fork. No standard watch movement. From the reading I have done there are two coils that usually have to be replaced. I will check out the other sources and ask if they do my watch. It is a 60+ year old watch.

[LeeH]

This guy claims to be recommended by Bulova:
Accutron Spaceview Repair and Astronaut Service Only Bulova Recommended Accutron Repair Site

[Oracle]

NO,no,no...

Glen,
I'm an Accutron junkie, I have to say its the only watch I wear (I have 3) and 2xseiko to when I travel in case I get mugged..

You don't want to try a battery and hope it works... besides after all the time not working probably the oil is gummed up and that could overcharge the coils and pfft!!

I would not send it to Old father time (the place you were told), I have heard bad things about them in the Accutron forums. And please do not send it to someone called bob or a website with anything bob in it, for some people he's an absolute POS that hope police get him (he's the Motorscheiter of Accutron). A hint is that he's based in Illinois and hes currently running this site: The ONLY Bulova Recommended site. Accutron Spaceview Repair and Astronaut Service Bulova Recommended (DO NOT USE)

I recommend:
Vintage Timepieces Collectible Vintage Timepieces Antique Pocket Watches Timepiece Restoration Accutron Watches
and
The Accutron Place

I have never sent my watches to any of them cause I bought them serviced but those are the only two I will send my watches.. Yes it is expensive but cheaper than a TAG or Rolex and these guys are artists that keep that iconic watch going as accurate as a new quartz watch (waaay more accurate than a modern automatic)

Look at the pictures of their repairs, the watch will look like new.

Good luck!

[Oracle]

NOO! Not that guy!
He's the Motormeister of the Accutron world.. (Read previous post)

Originally Posted by LeeH

This guy claims to be recommended by Bulova:
Accutron Spaceview Repair and Astronaut Service Only Bulova Recommended Accutron Repair Site

[porsche4life]

Glen,

I have no help, but that is a beautiful watch! I'm glad you got it from your father are going to fix it up and were it. I would love to have a watch like that.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by Oracle

NOO! Not that guy!
He's the Motormeister of the Accutron world.. (Read previous post)

Interesting as the reviews I could find about him were mostly positive.
http://www.judysbook.com/cities/normal-il/Miscellaneous-Professional-Services/30438817/Mybob.htm

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Oracle

NO,no,no...

Glen,
I'm an Accutron junkie, I have to say its the only watch I wear (I have 3) and 2xseiko to when I travel in case I get mugged..

You don't want to try a battery and hope it works... besides after all the time not working probably the oil is gummed up and that could overcharge the coils and pfft!!

I would not send it to Old father time (the place you were told), I have heard bad things about them in the Accutron forums. And please do not send it to someone called bob or a website with anything bob in it, for some people he's an absolute POS that hope police get him (he's the Motorscheiter of Accutron). A hint is that he's based in Illinois and hes currently running this site: The ONLY Bulova Recommended site. Accutron Spaceview Repair and Astronaut Service Bulova Recommended (DO NOT USE)

I recommend:
Vintage Timepieces Collectible Vintage Timepieces Antique Pocket Watches Timepiece Restoration Accutron Watches
and
The Accutron Place

I have never sent my watches to any of them cause I bought them serviced but those are the only two I will send my watches.. Yes it is expensive but cheaper than a TAG or Rolex and these guys are artists that keep that iconic watch going as accurate as a new quartz watch (waaay more accurate than a modern automatic)

Look at the pictures of their repairs, the watch will look like new.

Good luck!

Thank You
Thank You
Thank You

That is the post I wanted to see, and why I asked Pelican. I knew someone on the board would KNOW who to use.

I did not want to get "MotorMistered" I am 100% willing to pay a fair price to get the watch serviced. I did not for a second think to just stick a battery in there and try it. I doubt the watch has run in 30 years.

Thanks once again. I wanted a Accutron junkie to suggest the proper place to send it. Picking a place because of a web site is not the wise way to pick a business. Referral from a trusted source is.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by LeeH

This guy claims to be recommended by Bulova:
Accutron Spaceview Repair and Astronaut Service Only Bulova Recommended Accutron Repair Site

I had already ruled out this guy. Any web site that just starts playing audio is instantly closed by me. It is a personal pet peeve.

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I had already ruled out this guy. Any web site that just starts playing audio is instantly closed by me. It is a personal pet peeve.

You're not the only one, that crap drives me up a friggin wall!

This forum really does have an answer to everything. And that is a very neat watch Glen!

[Steve Carlton]

Didn't the batteries have different voltages that are no longer available and the watch requires other adjustments to work on modern batteries?