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*** Below is a MODERATELY DETAILED 'overview' of my Bulova Accutron Repair/Restoration Service. (I know it's a little long, but I really think you'll enjoy it and learn more about my service AND your incredible timepiece in the
process!):
*** Thanks VERY MUCH in advance, for your time and interest!
Here are the highlights:
<> I do repairs and restorations on the following models calibers) of the Bulova Accutron TUNING FORK POWERED timepiece: I specialize in the model 214, 218, 219, 221 and 230 (and their derivatives), and have a complete selection of
genuine Bulova parts on-hand for most movement calibers (especially the 214, 218, 221 and 230).
<> The service LABOR is provided at a FLAT RATE (one fixed price). This means that you pay the same amount (US $75 plus the ACTUAL return shipping/insurance/tracking costs), regardless of the extent of the LABOR necessary to repair/restore your watch. This price DOES NOT include the cost of parts, which are billed to you with YOUR APPROVAL PRIOR TO THEIR INSTALLATION. Just so you will have an idea, the AVERAGE amount of time spent on a NO PARTS overhaul of the 214 movement is 5.5 hours, and for the 218 (depending on complication level), 6.75 hours. A normal, NO PARTS REQUIRED overhaul/restoration for a 214 or 218 will cost $83.50
TO YOUR DOOR. This INCLUDES the ACTUAL shipping/insurance/delivery confirmation cost of $8.50 (eff. 7/1/2002 per USPS rates), which is via USPS Priority Mail
(2-3 day delivery for MOST of the contiguous US), insured for US $300 in the case of Stainless Steel, Gold-Filled or Gold-Plated watches. The insurance is obviously higher for those of solid gold, and usually runs $12.50 (which includes $700 of insurance.) Again, YOU PAY THE ACTUAL SHIPPING/INSURANCE/TRACKING CHARGES, AND NO MORE!
<> There is NO CHARGE FOR ESTIMATES, but I do respectfully request that you reimburse me for the return shipping and insurance, if you choose NOT to have me complete the restoration of your ACCUTRON.
<> You'll receive an email from me when I've got your watch apart and on the bench indicating what, if any, parts are needed to repair/restore it. In actuality, most Accutrons that are able to 'hum' CONTINUOUSLY, even if the hands
don't move, rarely require more than $40 in parts (not including the silicon regulator (see below) for the 214), and 90%+ require NO PARTS during an overhaul. These are VERY well made timepieces, and there's normally minimal
wear to the internal parts, IF the movement has been well cared-for, routinely lubricated, and not subjected to water, moisture or abuse. I will REQUEST YOUR APPROVAL TO COMPLETE THE WORK ON YOUR WATCH VIA AN EMAIL. If you choose NOT to have me complete the repair of your timepiece (the cost is prohibitive, or for whatever reason), the movement will be
reassembled as-is, and returned to you (once again, I respectfully request that you reimburse me for the shipping, insurance and tracking fees). If you APPROVE the work to have the timepiece repaired, here's what happens:
<> The case, back, retainer ring and crown (and the battery hatch cover on 214's) are removed and restored to factory-like finishes (except for large scratches/gouges on gold-FILLED and Stainless Steel cases.) NO SCRATCH REMOVAL can be done on gold-PLATED cases, for obvious reasons, but all
are highly polished. The point is that I DON'T JUST REPAIR THE MOVEMENT IN YOUR WATCH, I really do try and make the whole timepiece LOOK as good as it will RUN when we're done.
<> The movement is then COMPELTELY DISASSEMBLED per official Bulova Repair/Inspection/Service procedures, and the parts are individually cleaned (ultrasonically, for everything but the electronics, tuning fork, pawl bridge, hands and dial). The movement is then repaired using whatever GENUINE
BULOVA parts are necessary, then reassembled and PROPERLY (per Bulova standards), relubricated. Next, the movement is started on the test set, and its index mechanism is adjusted to work with the currently available Silver Oxide batteries (the Eveready 387S/394 for the 214, and Eveready 344 for the 218). A new power cell is installed at no additional charge, as part of the service.
<> If your watch is a 214, it's highly recommended that you consider the installation of a diode/regulator in the component coil assembly to eliminate the excessive gaining of the timepiece on the currently-available Silver Oxide
batteries ONCE AND FOR ALL (PLEASE, see the details below.)
<> After reassembly/lubrication, the uncased movement is bench-run for AT LEAST 24 hours UNTOUOCHED, since we've had it completely apart and need to establish a baseline for timing changes.
<> Next, the hands are lacquered (clear-coated to protect AND enhance the finish), as are the dial markers (if APPLIED as opposed to PRINTED ON), again at no additional charge as part of the standard service. In addition, on 214 SPACEVIEWS, the coil assembly is also UV-protected with a clear, semi-gloss coating which helps this VERY expensive part of the timepiece resist the Sun (it's a plastic composite that easily flakes apart over the years if
not protected.)
<> With the EXCEPTION OF Spaceviews, Astronaut models, and other 'SPECIAL CRYSTAL REQUIRED' Accutrons, a NEW CRYSTAL is installed at no additional charge. For the special-crystal watches, I keep a large stock of genuine Bulova Accutron crystals on-hand at all times, and they usually run
from $38-$60 each, depending on model, with the VAST majority costing around $42-$52. If purchased at the time of a repair, the crystal installation is FREE as well. The new crystal's package is sent along, so you'll know EXACTLY what genuine Bulova crystal to buy next time, if necessary.
<> Finally, the movement is recased and run for ANOTHER 24 HOURS, during which time I will send you an email indicating that the watch is ready for its journey 'home'. Unless otherwise desired, as mentioned above, I'll send it
USPS PRIORITY, INSURED, with DELIVERY CONFIRMATION (so it's
trackable), and you'll pay the EXACT AMOUNT of shipping/insurance/tracking (ie NO HANDLING CHARGE, etc. etc.). When you receive the watch, please notify me so I'll know it got home OK, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, what you think of the way it turned-out. That's the MOST gratifying part of this hobby, by the way! Then, you can send payment to me in the form of MONEY ORDER, CERTIFIED CHECK, or if no other option, personal check is OK. As you've no-doubt noted, this is done on the 'HONOR SYSTEM'. You may choose not to believe this, but in over SIX-HUNDRED Accutron repairs (as of early JULY, 2001), I've had only TWO issues which went to collection agencies! NO KIDDING! I figure if you trust me
(someone you've probably never met) with your valued, treasured timepiece, the least I should be able to do is trust that you'll compensate me for my effort!
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<> HERE'S THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 'RUNAWAY MOVEMENT' problem (excessive gaining) for all you 214 (backset) owners. If you're a 218, 219, 221 or 230 (your watch IS NOT set from the BACK), then you don't need this, but may still find it interesting!
<> ALL Accutron tuning fork watches (ALL CALIBERS EXCEPT QUARTZ), were designed to run on MERCURY-BASED batteries. These cells are NO LONGER LEGAL for sale in the US, and as such, most companies world-wide have stopped making them, since as of January 2001, most of these countries
have also followed-suit, declaring that batteries sold/used in their locations CANNOT CONTAIN MERCURY. These batteries produced only 1.35 volts, as opposed to the currently available and inexpensive SILVER OXIDE cells, which
produce 1.55 volts. Often, unmodified 214 movements will run quite fast on these new cells.
<> After spending a LOT of time experimenting with 'rephasing' my own movements to try and get a RELIABLE and UNDAMAGING solution to this problem (I tried the so-called ACCUCELLS, then a resistor, then a GERMANIUM diode, ALL to no avail.) Then, I stumbled on the fact that a SILICON diode, used in such a low-CURRENT application, and inserted in the proper place in the circuit, is EXACTLY what's needed!
<> So, FINALLY, for those who want a PERMANENT solution to the Silver Oxide battery 'time-gaining' problem, and for those movements which simply cannot be 'brought-to-time' with the 387S (or 394) 1.55 volt, Silver Oxide batteries, I
have a method of installing a ONE MM SQUARE silicon 'regulator' in the component-side coil, for BOTH the newer two-wire coils AND the older, three-wire coils, which causes the watch to see 1.3 volts from a 1.55 volt cell!
Because this 'surgery' requires significant time under the microscope, I do charge extra (US $27) for it. The brand new-to-market SMD diode form (only ONE MILLIMETER SQUARE!), allows me to accomplish this task EVEN ON SPACEVIEWS, without noticeable modification! Many of my customers have
expressed concern over the modification of Spaceview coil assemblies, since the coil is visible through the crystal. And, with the recent concern over higher amplitude causing long term damage to the coil and/or index wheel, (ESPECIALLY if the 'rephasing' operation is done by bending the pawl fingers to press very hard against the index wheel), lots of folks would just rather have this done anyway. This 'mod' absolutely INSURES that the watch operates on the same voltages it did for it's 30-odd 'younger years'. For about 30% of 214's it's an option, for the rest it's highly recommended, and for ALL it's truly a PERMANENT solution! Just thought it should be mentioned!
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*** Well, that's about it (you're thinking, FINALLY!) Thanks SO MUCH for taking all your time to visit and read all these 'gory details'! I really hope that at least
you may know more about that wonderful timepiece than you previously did, and I think that's important for anyone who owns one of these real 'treasures'! If you have ANY OTHER QUESTIONS AT ALL please feel free to ask me, WHETHER OR NOT you ultimately choose me to do your service/restoration work, as I'll try and help in any way I can.
*** Again, please note that the BEST way to contact me is via EMAIL (just click on my email address at the bottom
of the page.) THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST, AND HAPPY 'HUMMING'!
Sincerely,
Mike Wright
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There are a couple of AWESOME LINKS below that you MUST CHECK OUT! The first is to Tom Mister's site of Accutron history, an incredible work of research you should see (kudos to Tom, a terrific individual!)
The second link is to Rob Berkavicus's ACCUTRON WATCH PAGE in Australia (where I am listed as a recommended repairer) where you can find more than you ever wanted to know about these FANTASTIC WATCHES!
So, once again, THANKS SO MUCH and HAPPY HUMMING! Remember, please feel free to EMAIL me about ANY AND ALL THINGS ACCUTRON!
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*** BACKLOG UPDATE *** DATE: 10/23/2002 ***
IMPORTANT! PLEASE TAKE NOTE !
Please note that I am currently NOT ACCEPTING NEW WORK. I have worked through MOST of my HUGE BACKLOG, and anticipate being able to ACCEPT NEW WORK ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 15, 2003. IF I HAVE A VALUED ACCUTRON OF YOURS, REST ASSURED THAT IT IS BEING ADDRESSED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH I RECEIVED IT! I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR THIS DELAY, AND TO ALL THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET A WATCH RESTORED, BUT TO BE FAIR TO THE CUSTOMERS WHOSE WATCHES ARE ALREADY IN THE SHOP, I MUST TEMPORARILY TAKE THIS STEP. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR UNDERSTANDING, AND FOR YOUR PATIENCE DURING THIS DELAY.
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