A Guide to collecting Accutron Spaceview watches

As the Bulova Accutron Spaceview has had a resurgence in popularity, more and more of the dialed Accutron 214 models are being converted to spaceviews. While many collectors can appreciate a nicely done conversion, there are unscrupulous vendors converting watches for resale as “original” spaceviews and selling at a premium to unsuspecting buyers. The vast majority I see listed for sale are conversions and in many cases really bad ones.

Hopefully, this guide will help people make informed decisions when purchasing Accutron Spaceview watches. Giving them the ability to spot conversions or likely conversions to help determine originality and value.  

The gallery photos are examples of original Accutron spaceviews. Not every model is featured but hope to eventually have most of them. Other pages included here will provide advice as to case numbers/styles and the correct hands, crystals and movements associated with them. 

Accutron 1973 Swiss Accutron Spaceview case style 7323-1

Accutron Spaceview history

The Bulova Accutron 214 was released in late 1960. A unique, battery powered watch movement, utilizing a tuning fork. The 214 movement itself is another story. Early on, as part of the marketing, Bulova produced crystal and hand sets to show off the movement for dealer displays. Consumers, seeing these display models, started asking to buy these unique and interesting models. Bulova responded by producing factory versions known as “Spaceviews”.  Pictured is a 14K “Alpha” case style 2304 with white luminous “Lance” hands and luminous dotted crystal. (Photo courtesy of Chris Akin)

Early releases

These early Spaceview models were limited to the solid gold models and a few stainless steel models. Pictured  is a case style 2409 14k model with white luminous “Dauphine” hands and luminous dotted crystal.

Evolution of the spaceview

Bulova started offering more models towards the mid 1960s. Pictured here is the only gold filled USA model offered, case style 2531. It came in two model designations, the Spaceview “H” and “I” depending on the band.  This model used a reflector ring to mark minutes/seconds, this model also used longer white luminous “Spear” hands. 

Swiss production spaceviews

Bulova had production facilities in both the USA and Switzerland. The Swiss factory produced watches for the European and other overseas markets. With the growing popularity of the spaceview, the Swiss factory started producing unique spaceview models. Pictured here is an early Swiss spaceview, using case style 316-1. These models used case colored luminous spear hands and were available in stainless or gold capped versions.

Later production spaceviews

Later spaceview designs included wider reflector rings and larger case sizes. The USA and Swiss factories  started produciing more spaceview designs, unique to the country of manufacture. Pictured here is the iconic Spaceview “T”, case style 770. It was one of the exceptions in that there was a USA and a Swiss version. These started production in 1969. Most of the later Swiss versions shared design elements from the “T”. Pictured is a US version from 1970.