The Watch Thread (1 Viewer)

[DirtyTIVA]

I would know where to look for crazy

View attachment 1569756

Nah. Not my style. Just like in chipping there's something for everyone.

 

[dennis63]

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 By comparison to today's watches, it's tiny at 30 mm, and uses outdated technology.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.