Platinum Accutron…the absolute Holy Grail

Description

Sold!!!!!!! First one I’ve ever seen. Sure, we’ve heard about it but no one has ever actually held one that I’ve known. Have you seen another? An early newspaper article published in the Long Island Newsday in March of 1961 mentioned a $2500 platinum Accutron. I’m told by the head repairman at Bulova that only a dozen were produced and likely only the biggest wigs of the time received one. This one’s serial # is B55958 and it was manufactured in February of 1961…a month before the article was published. Can you imagine someone paying $2500 for a watch in 1961? Was there a more expensive watch from any other company at that time? First one I’ve ever seen. This one is from February of 1961. I was informed, too, that it was intended for Christmas sales. And it’s HEAVY!!!

On most Accutrons, I’ll restore their casebacks but remembered when it arrived here originally several years ago that the gentleman who had originally purchased it from me had asked me not to restore it and wanted it to be completely original, which it still is. It does come with that ultra-wanted all wooden Accutron box, too, and its outer box…also a coin and an early Accutron pamphlet. The box was actually suggested with a card from Bulova when it was new to use it as a cigarette box. I had a Bulova photo of that but can’t seem to find it. There appears to be a very faint leftover inscription on the back. I tried to catch the light just right in order to see it as it’s hard to see. It seems to read A.R.ABCEDB. I haven’t a clue what that means but some Googling to find that out might help. Likely, it represents someone of importance based on the then cost of this beauty.

Here’s some info I found fascinating:, #1039

Crystal: 29.4mm

Model 2703-P

Buckle marked: irid plat, Z & F

Back of dial marked: 05-5, TRI

Case width: 32.73mm

Bracelet: integrated, heavy decorated mesh

Case back: marked at top, Plat-Irid

Inside case back has a letter “P” stamped. Printed in black ink, “945”

Crown is non-snap back

Battery hatch has spring with raised, circular center…not the earlier 3-prong

Dial: gloss black with what appears to be platinum hour markers

Total weight with dial, hands, movement, and crystal (no battery): 4.25 ounces

Total weight without dial, hands, movement, crystal, battery: 3.8 ounces