Okay, so I’ve been geeking out over vintage watches lately, and I totally fell down the rabbit hole with the Accutron Bulova Astronaut. I mean, that tuning fork movement? So cool! And the history behind it, with the space program and all? I just had to get my hands on one.
First, I spent hours online, just looking at pictures and reading forum posts. Gotta know what you’re getting into, right? I learned about the different variations, the “M” designations for the year, and all the little things to look out for. Like, making sure the tuning fork is actually humming, not just ticking like a regular quartz watch.
The Hunt Begins!
I scoured every online auction site, vintage watch dealer, and even some local pawn shops, for the right piece. It was really tempting to pull the trigger, on some that were “close enough,” but I held out for one that felt right, to me.
After weeks of searching, I finally found one! It was an M4 (1964), in surprisingly good condition. The seller had tons of pictures, and even a video of it running, so I felt pretty confident. I messaged back and forth with the seller for like an hour. I have to be sure! After tons of questions, I took the leap of faith and won the auction, and clicked “buy.”
The Waiting Game (Ugh!)
The shipping felt like it took forever! The package arrived, it was like Christmas morning. I carefully opened the box, and there it was! And hold it in my hands, for the first time, was like I had a piece of history. I was so happy!
Bringing it Back to Life
It was running a little fast, so I knew it needed some attention. I’m not a watchmaker, so I’m not gonna mess with that delicate movement myself. I found a local watch repair guy who specializes in vintage Accutrons. He gave it a full service – cleaning, oiling, and regulating the tuning fork.
When I got it back, it was humming perfectly and keeping amazing time. The smooth sweep of the second hand is just mesmerizing. I put on a new, period-correct style band. I think, I am finally done.
Enjoy the “new” watch
I’ve been wearing it almost every day since.
It’s such a conversation starter, and I love sharing the story behind it. It’s not just a watch; it’s a piece of history and a testament to incredible engineering.
