[Speedy67]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum, so excuse me if I post something that has been discussed before. I searched but did not find an answer to my question.
But let me first start with myself. I am 47 yrs old and live in the EU. In my watch collection I have a lovely 1967 Spaceview and, since today, a 1971 Bulova Astronaut.
My question is about the astronaut. The watch seems t be in a very nice unrestored condition, but at closer look I noticed that the arrow hand is missing. Was the Astronaut ever made without this hand? Or have I mistakenly purchased a Frankenstein watch?

Many thanks.

Ton

 

[Claven2]

They all had the arrow. Might not be a franken, the arrow just might be missing. Is there a pinion for it on the movement?

 

[CometHunter]

Hi! No Accutron info, but I can offer an official Welcome

to Watch Talk Forums!

 

[accutronredux]

Let me add my welcome and hope you enjoy the camaraderie and discussions found here on Watch Talk Forums. Your Astronaut has the day/night variant bezel. It is far less common and is highly prized by collectors. Your watch should have the arrow hand to indicate the second time zone. Here are a couple of pictures aken from internet sites to show what a complete Astronaut with day/night bezel should look like.:biggrin:

 

[skypilot]

Here's my day/night Astronaut. Like Accutronredux said, your variation of the Astronaut is an uncommon one so you are to be congratulated for your find. I suspect that the missing hand can be found with patience.
Welcome to the forum ! I hope you will let us see your Spaceview and tell us about it.

IMG_0486_zpse26a21f5.jpg Photo by lylel396 | Photobucket

 

[ac106]

Can the bezel on day/nights and swiss variants be restored? It seems every one is damaged...

 

[accutronredux]

Absolutely the bezel can be restored. What you see is two Astronauts with bezels in original condition. Herein lies the eternal debate among collectors...how much restoration is required or is desirable. I fall into the camp of complete restoration, but it's a personal preference and no more valid than those who choose to keep their watches as original as possible.

 

[oliverb]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your watch with us! Another point to consider: Is it possible a substitute movement has been installed that does not have the GMT parts? Still fixable.

Edit: The movement in your watch should be marked "214HN" if it is the true Astronaut movement.

 

[oliverb]

GMT hands for sale on eBay:

Bulova Accutron 214 Astronaut Silver 24 Hour Hand | eBay

 

[SAM2]

Ton, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your problem is greater than just a missing hand. The white hour and minute hands are recent replacements, probably by Clark. The red seconds hand is also a replacement. The correct hands for your Astronaut would be silver in color to match the case. If you have the 214NH movement, not all is lost but you will need to find a complete set of Astronaut hands.

 

[ac106]

Right. Anything can be restored given a large enough budget. I guess my question was more along the lines of "is the restoration of a chewed bezel cost effective or would it exceed the threshold of purchasing one in better condition"

Absolutely the bezel can be restored. What you see is two Astronauts with bezels in original condition. Herein lies the eternal debate among collectors...how much restoration is required or is desirable. I fall into the camp of complete restoration, but it's a personal preference and no more valid than those who choose to keep their watches as original as possible.

 

[skypilot]

I've checked an advertisement I have and Sam is correct about the hands, the correct hands are shown in the one shown by Accutronredux.
As to finding a watch with a better bezel, that could be a long search. I looked at a lot of them before I bought the one I have and all of the bezels were chewed up. Mine isn't perfect by any means but was about the best one I could find.
I would have no idea what it would cost to have the bezel refinished.

 

[accutronredux]

 

[oliverb]

Dials can be refinished for $50 or less so I would not expect the bezel to cost much.

 

[SAM2]

Ton, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but your problem is greater than just a missing hand. The white hour and minute hands are recent replacements, probably by Clark. The red seconds hand is also a replacement. The correct hands for your Astronaut would be silver in color to match the case. If you have the 214NH movement, not all is lost but you will need to find a complete set of Astronaut hands.

At first glance, I didn't notice a larger issue with the subject watch. I was too preoccupied with the hands.
What we seem to have here is a dial from a standard model Astronaut from approximately 1964. A factory correct Astronaut model O or T would have a dial with applied markers at the hour positions and applied "ACCUTRON" lettering. The only difference between Models O and T is the color of the dial. A third variation of the Day/Night Astronaut would have had a luminous seconds hand and black dial with applied markers. This from the Astronaut Variant Guide but what the guide doesn't tell is that none have a Swiss serial number although some may have Swiss made parts or movements. I would expect to see a movement marked 2142 rather than 214HN in a Day/Night with a date code as late as N1.