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The Watch Thread (6 Viewers)

Refurbing my Dad's 1972 Bulova Accutron Model 218​

When my Dad passed away in 2020, I inherited his old jewelry box -- some pins, tie clips, and his old gold watch, given to him for 25 years service to his employer in 1972. He started working as a longshoreman on the Philly waterfront after returning from the Army in World War II.

I remember the watch -- a Bulova Accutron -- the famous "tuning fork" watch. It was cutting-edge technology in 1972. It didn't tick. It hummed.

When I found the watch, there was no band or strap and it was frozen, stopped at 1:59:59. No telling how long ago it stopped. It could have been sitting idle for decades.

I took it to my local jeweler. They put a new battery in. To my suprise, it hummed back to life. I was shocked to learn that this watch sold for $150 in 1972, equivalent to over $1,100 today. I had it cleaned and added a new brown leather band. By comparison to today's watches, it's tiny at 30 mm, and uses outdated technology. (Tuning forks were made obsolete by quartz technology.)

But for me, it's priceless -- a 53-year-old family heirloom and a treasured symbol of great memories of my father.

The photos below: 1) How I found the watch; 2) After cleaning and a new battery and 3) a brown leather strap. Photo 4 shows the movement. You can see two tuning forks at the top of the watch.

Bulova Accutron Front.webp
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20251009_203345.webp


Accutron Movement.webp
 

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Has anybody ever bought watch straps from Helvetus?

I ordered 2 straps on September 10th. No straps yet. I contacted them and asked for tracking information (3 times over 2 weeks) and they keep telling me that they are waiting for their logistics partner to get back to them...blah...blah...blah.

They were relatively cheap straps, $150 for two straps, so it's not A ton of money. I'm just curious if anybody has successfully or unsuccessfully ordered from them?

Thanks!
 
Took my wife’s watch in for a service and ended up picking up the Pelagos 39 I’ve been eying up for 3 years. Treated myself after back to back Circle of Excellence wins at work.


IMG_3417.webp



Here is the current state of my collection-


IMG_3597.webp


Also tried on an Explorer 2 but found it too big for my liking …even on my 7.3” wrist. Knowing I prefer lower key aesthetics but still wanted a GMT (one of the few watch complications I’d actually use a lot) the sales lady, whom I’ve got to know well through a previous purchase, suggested I try on the newer Black/Grey GMT. I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. She said she’d register my interest and asked which bracelet I wanted - jubilee or oyster. I couldn’t decide so she put me down for both and we’ll see what comes in first. God knows when that will be….but she didnt sound like it was a stretch. If I get that I may call it quits for a while :unsure:

Jubilee or Oyster for the “Bruce Wayne”?
IMG_0379.webp
 
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Old State said:
Took my wife’s watch in for a service and ended up picking up the Pelagos 39 I’ve been eying up for 3 years. Treated myself after back to back Circle of Excellence wins at work.


View attachment 1607006


Here is the current state of my collection-


View attachment 1607007

Also tried on an Explorer 2 but found it too big for my liking …even on my 7.3” wrist. Knowing I prefer lower key aesthetics but still wanted a GMT (one of the few watch complications I’d actually use a lot) the sales lady, whom I’ve got to know well through a previous purchase, suggested I try on the newer Black/Grey GMT. I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. She said she’d register my interest and asked which bracelet I wanted - jubilee or oyster. I couldn’t decide so she put me down for both and we’ll see what comes in first. God knows when that will be….but she didnt sound like it was a stretch. If I get that I may call it quits for a while :unsure:

Jubilee or Oyster for the “Bruce Wayne”? View attachment 1607011
Click to expand...
Jubilee
 
Old State said:
Took my wife’s watch in for a service and ended up picking up the Pelagos 39 I’ve been eying up for 3 years. Treated myself after back to back Circle of Excellence wins at work.


View attachment 1607006


Here is the current state of my collection-


View attachment 1607007

Also tried on an Explorer 2 but found it too big for my liking …even on my 7.3” wrist. Knowing I prefer lower key aesthetics but still wanted a GMT (one of the few watch complications I’d actually use a lot) the sales lady, whom I’ve got to know well through a previous purchase, suggested I try on the newer Black/Grey GMT. I liked it WAY more than I thought I would. She said she’d register my interest and asked which bracelet I wanted - jubilee or oyster. I couldn’t decide so she put me down for both and we’ll see what comes in first. God knows when that will be….but she didnt sound like it was a stretch. If I get that I may call it quits for a while :unsure:

Jubilee or Oyster for the “Bruce Wayne”? View attachment 1607011
Click to expand...
Nice. I’m currently trying to decide between the Pelagos 39 and the Black Bay 41mm “monochrome” on the 5 link/jubilee bracelet. Leaning BB. This would be my first real watch purchase.
 
sleepyhead said:
Nice. I’m currently trying to decide between the Pelagos 39 and the Black Bay 41mm “monochrome” on the 5 link/jubilee bracelet. Leaning BB. This would be my first real watch purchase.
Click to expand...

If this will be your first and only real watch for a while (meaning you will wearing everyday) the steel BB 41 is probably the more practical choice. Also the weight of steel may feel more “luxurious”. That said I think the Pelagos 39 has far better proportions. What size is your wrist? The BB41 wears a lot bigger. My wrist is 7.3” and I feel Pelagos 39 and that Seiko SPB143 are the most perfectly sized watches I’ve ever tried…the Pelagos is a bit thinner and better IMO.

Titanium is not as light feeling as some say but it’s definitely noticeable. It’s also grade 2 which is softer than SS so it theoretically will scratch easier. I use my Seikos (I also have a SKX, a Turtle, and a Glycine combat not pictured) as true beater watches so I haven’t noticed the titanium picking up scratches more than my steel watches. You can also use an ink eraser carefully to remove light scratches.
 
Old State said:
If this will be your first and only real watch for a while (meaning you will wearing everyday) the steel BB 41 is probably the more practical choice. Also the weight of steel may feel more “luxurious”. That said I think the Pelagos 39 has far better proportions. What size is your wrist? The BB41 wears a lot bigger. My wrist is 7.3” and I feel Pelagos 39 and that Seiko SPB143 are the most perfectly sized watches I’ve ever tried…the Pelagos is a bit thinner and better IMO.

Titanium is not as light feeling as some say but it’s definitely noticeable. It’s also grade 2 which is softer than SS so it theoretically will scratch easier. I use my Seikos (I also have a SKX, a Turtle, and a Glycine combat not pictured) as true beater watches so I haven’t noticed the titanium picking up scratches more than my steel watches. You can also use an ink eraser carefully to remove light scratches.
Click to expand...
Good to know. Thank you. It would be my everyday watch. Part of why I was leaning BB was steel over titanium. I have been watching hours of YouTube reviews on these watches 😂

I have a 7.25” wrist so I think I could pull off the 41mm size.
 
sleepyhead said:
Good to know. Thank you. It would be my everyday watch. Part of why I was leaning BB was steel over titanium. I have been watching hours of YouTube reviews on these watches 😂

I have a 7.25” wrist so I think I could pull off the 41mm size.
Click to expand...
I assume you tried them on? The BB is also a lot thinker and look more so because of the case shape.
 
sleepyhead said:
Good to know. Thank you. It would be my everyday watch. Part of why I was leaning BB was steel over titanium. I have been watching hours of YouTube reviews on these watches 😂

I have a 7.25” wrist so I think I could pull off the 41mm size.
Click to expand...
The BB 58 is a great first watch. personally, I tend to like the BB 58 a bit more than the Pelagos for an everyday watch.

Although, I really like the Pelagos FXD for an outdoor, summer watch. It wore a little big on my wrist compared to the BB 58 though.

Both good choices, but I tend to agree with @Old State BB recommendation for all the same reasons as a first and primary watch. It’s a Solid choice!
 
Budha said:
The BB 58 is a great first watch. personally, I tend to like the BB 58 a bit more than the Pelagos for an everyday watch.

Although, I really like the Pelagos FXD for an outdoor, summer watch. It wore a little big on my wrist compared to the BB 58 though.

Both good choices, but I tend to agree with @Old State BB recommendation for all the same reasons as a first and primary watch. It’s a Solid choice!
Click to expand...

If I went with the BB it would have been the 58. I just can’t get past the rivets on the bracelet. As for the Pelagos…I specifically like the Pelagos 39. The regular versions are too big and matte for my taste. The 39 is a perfect size and has just enough sparkle to make it interesting. I also like its brushed ceramic bezel vs aluminum. The little pop of red dial is perfection for me.
 
Old State said:
If I went with the BB it would have been the 58. I just can’t get past the rivets on the bracelet. As for the Pelagos…I specifically like the Pelagos 39. The regular versions are too big and matte for my taste. The 39 is a perfect size and has just enough sparkle to make it interesting. I also like its brushed ceramic bezel vs aluminum. The little pop of red dial is perfection for me.
Click to expand...
Agree - I like the look and feel of the Pelagos as well. I didn’t try the 39 and that would probably make a big difference. The regular Pelagos was too big, it just didn’t wear well on me.
 
Seeking Alpha Social Club said:
I had to come back to your custom strap. I just picked up an IWC Portofino (8 day power reserve) that would look AMAZING with your strap on it. (:

I think I'm going to mount the strap backwards so I can display the back. I can't stop staring at it...LOL.

View attachment 1620027View attachment 1620028View attachment 1620029View attachment 1620030
Click to expand...

Yeah I feel that way about the backs of Pateks. The front is clean and has my favorite useful complication: power reserve.

A tourbillon is also fascinating to stare at but unfortunately it usually blows a hole in the face of the watch.

I’ve got another custom strap arriving this week.
 
DirtyTIVA said:
Yeah I feel that way about the backs of Pateks. The front is clean and has my favorite useful complication: power reserve.

A tourbillon is also fascinating to stare at but unfortunately it usually blows a hole in the face of the watch.

I’ve got another custom strap arriving this week.
Click to expand...
I'm glad it's not just me. As long as there's a power reserve...I'm good. Patek and A. Lange & Sohne's. I could stare at the backs all day long.

I will probably pick up a Glashutte Original Pano Reverse, more in my price range, at some point just so I can see the back all the time. (:

Be sure to send me pics when your new strap arrives!! (:
 
I've bought my first automatic watch and my jewellery shall receive it soon.

I decided to pick a Japanese one instead of a Swiss one. I picked a Seiko Presage "Japanese Garden".

1769450177666.webp


I've also ordered the steel wristband as I wanted to be able to swap with the leather one.
 
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