I've been repairing Accutrons since 1970 after graduating from Bulova school. A dime is used to unscrew the battery hatch which fits perfect, not a nickel. Also, you should check the battery hatch spring on the reverse side of the battery hatch to make sure it makes contact with the battery when screwed down.
Hi Ernie! I’ve been trying to find some information to repair an old railroad approved accutron that my grandfather passed down from me. I’d love to pick your brain sometime if you’d have the time!
Cool episode, I enjoy watching battery changes. And that is the coolest vintage Spaceview, love it! So mid-century/rocket era - I remember these being sold new when I was a boy.
The jeweler who works on my watches was wearing an accutron with the tuning fork. I mentioned that many people don’t like the loud hum. He told me he had to move it to another room so he couldn’t hear it. Cool concept for a watch and good looking piece. Another great video Norman,thank you.
I had to work in my neighbor's office for a week last year, wore this watch, and could hear it all day there, now the humm brings back good memories of that crazy time :)
@@KillingTimeWithNorman If you take one off, put it on a wooden window sill, they start to resonate through the wood which greatly increases the hummmmmmm to the point where you can't sleep..... Pesky bastards. ..but WHAT character 🥰
Really interesting seeing the spacer which I knew about, I read on a n Omega forum someone asked the question "was the spacer necessary?" A guy Martin Marcus who works on Accutrons said it should still work without the spacer so I dropped a 394 in, screwed the hatch down, felt it buzzing and gave the case a rap and away it went! Battery lasted from Feb 2023 to Sept 2024! Thanks for the video 👍. Hello from NZ 😊
The moment you mentioned about replacing a battery I immediately thought, “rubber gloves”. I am sure you are now aware, but handling coin batteries with bare hands deposits oils on the surface of the battery that overtime can degrade the life of the battery faster than expected.
I've read that they need a 1.3v battery and you can only get a 1.5v. Supposedly the 1.5v works sometimes and sometimes it won't keep time properly and it'll speed up. What V was the battery you used and has it worked well?
I think it's a 1.5v I'll have to check. But it does run a little fast, no where near like a mechanical watch though... once a month or two I have to move it back a minute or two. I'll dbl check the voltage and let you know.
What a wonderful watch!!! May I ask, how long modern batteries keep this lovely lady alive? I heard, the original ones lasted only two months or so. 🕐⏳⚙️
I believe this last battery went for about a year or so. Now I have this video as a marker. So when this $1 battery dies, we'll know for certain how long it lasted! Think I'll do a video discussing that. 🍸🍸
I'm considering an Accutron, but I find the battery situation very confusing. They originally ran on 1.35V mercury cells, which were larger than the 1.55V cell you are using, so they would have lasted longer and wouldn't have required a spacer. Mercury cells were banned in the US for environmental reasons in the early 1990s. I've read that some Accutrons run fine on 1.55V cells, while others have to be modified in some way to keep correct time. Then there is the Accucell, which is an adapter that takes a 1.55V battery and uses a resistor to step down the voltage to 1.35V. I have adapters like that for my old film cameras that used mercury batteries, but the battery can be replaced when it dies. It appears that the Accucell may come with the battery permanently fixed to the adapter, so when the battery dies you have to buy a new Accucell at $10 - $20 each, and eventually these will become unavailable from the one person making them. I don't know if this is true, but I don't feel like spending money to find out if the battery can be separated from the adapter. I guess I'll find out when/if I get an Accutron.
Excellent information, thank you! Yeah my Accutron is accurate like a well regulated mechanical movement, so every month or so I adjust it a little. Other than that, with the battery hatch and low prices, the spacer technique is pretty pain-free :)
Both batteries, 1.35v mercury oxide (#387) and 1.55v silver oxide (#387S) are exactly the same size. As far as life span of the battery between the two has to do with each watch, not whether it was the 1.35v or the 1.55v. MOST 214 Accutrons will run fine on the 387S 1.55v batteries. Aftermarket Accucell batteries actually bring the voltage down to 1.30v. I personally never use Accucell batteries since I like originality. Instead. certain adjustments on the movement can be made for the watch to keep the time it did with the 1.35v batteries. However, the Accucell battery (I think) uses a #395 battery which can carefully be dismantled and be replaced without buying another Accucell.
@@eduardohernando2849 He means adjusting the time. There is a phone app called WatchCheck that I use to measure the daily gain or loss in each of six positions, and when worn. For example, one of my Accutrons gains time in five positions, but loses time in the sixth. So if it has gained time at the end of the day, I place it in the position where it will lose time overnight, and eventually the time will be correct to the second. Of course I could always set the time manually.
@@starfindings Yes, thank you. I eventually bought two Accutrons. One had already been serviced and phased for 1.55V. The other one needed a new coil and rephasing for 1.55V, along with some case refinishing. Once I found a period-correct bracelet for it, it became my favorite watch. It's a stainless steel up/down day/date that supposedly was made for only one year (1969-1970), but I have seen it with later date codes.
I do love the Spaceview. One day I said to myself, "Self, you need to get a Spaceview for happiness to reign supreme." I then looked at how much they sell for and decided that it would serve no practical purpose for me to have one if I really think carefully about it. It's not looking any better today, unfortunately, but at least they will be preserved for future well heeled generations.
Do you love the Spaceview specifically, or Accutron generally? Because there are a lot of vintage Accutrons that sell on eBay for $250 or less. It's the Spaceview that is more expensive. Of course it all depends on the watch's condition and age. A mint condition Accutron from the early 1960s will go for a lot.
Interesting Norman. Once had a 1977 Omega Seamaster digital that required two batteries. And I wonder if the spacer was always a feature of the Accutron, or if the original battery size has long since been defunct?
Just restored my 1968 Bulova Rail Road 214 Accutron in 14k plated ! I love this watch and l ❤️ Love the Humm and continuous sweep second hand! Bulova bring back the tunning fork Accutron !
Oh cool! Totally! Bring it back - and release some nearly identical to the original pieces! Size and looks etc., just update them for modern batteries etc. :)
I have a SpaceView I love it. I wanted to loosen the hatch and pause it. When I would wear it occasionally, I would be able to tighten it up for the day. I was never able to do this. Maybe the spacer was backwards; I tried it everyway. I don't know. I hate for it to run just in the watch box.(?)
@@starfindingsThanks, I've tried this several times and it does not start back up(?) There is no RESTART button(?) The battery may not have been fresh(?)
@@marcuslieberman3577 Once you drop the battery back into the watch, you might have to lightly tap the watch on the side to start the tuning fork to vibrate.
You ruined the battery by touching both sides with your bare fingers! Now you lost a lot of charge.🤦 Touching both sides with your bare fingers could completely drain the battery. That's why so many people place bad reviews on button cell batteries because they touched both sides, draining them completely so to them it seems like they came empty in the package. Use latex gloves next time or just use plastic tweezers. NEVER touch both sides with your bare hands or metal tweezers.
I've been repairing Accutrons since 1970 after graduating from Bulova school. A dime is used to unscrew the battery hatch which fits perfect, not a nickel. Also, you should check the battery hatch spring on the reverse side of the battery hatch to make sure it makes contact with the battery when screwed down.
Oh! Cool. Thank you for that information! 🍸🍸
Hi Ernie! I’ve been trying to find some information to repair an old railroad approved accutron that my grandfather passed down from me. I’d love to pick your brain sometime if you’d have the time!
Literature says 2.3 volt not 2.5. States 2.5 will damage the watch.
Cool episode, I enjoy watching battery changes. And that is the coolest vintage Spaceview, love it! So mid-century/rocket era - I remember these being sold new when I was a boy.
Oh that's so cool that you got to see them new! Yeah I love Soaceviews! 🍸🍸
The jeweler who works on my watches was wearing an accutron with the tuning fork. I mentioned that many people don’t like the loud hum. He told me he had to move it to another room so he couldn’t hear it. Cool concept for a watch and good looking piece. Another great video Norman,thank you.
I had to work in my neighbor's office for a week last year, wore this watch, and could hear it all day there, now the humm brings back good memories of that crazy time :)
You should try having about 30 of them. It's like living in a fucken bee hive.
@@peterhoare3219 lol! That would be amazing! 🍸🍸
@@KillingTimeWithNorman
If you take one off, put it on a wooden window sill, they start to resonate through the wood which greatly increases the hummmmmmm to the point where you can't sleep.....
Pesky bastards. ..but WHAT character 🥰
@@peterhoare3219 Yes! That happens on my desk and shelf lol! 🍸🍸
i have heard that these movements need maintenance after a while. i just changed the battery in my marathon navigator. same like opening
Yeah, I've heard about the tuning fork going out.
Really interesting seeing the spacer which I knew about, I read on a n Omega forum someone asked the question "was the spacer necessary?" A guy Martin Marcus who works on Accutrons said it should still work without the spacer so I dropped a 394 in, screwed the hatch down, felt it buzzing and gave the case a rap and away it went! Battery lasted from Feb 2023 to Sept 2024! Thanks for the video 👍. Hello from NZ 😊
@@Adrian_3006 Ohh interesting! That's pretty cool. Thank you! 🍸🍸
It is a cool watch. Interesting to learn about the battery
Thanks so much sir!! 🍸🍸
I just used a dime to open mine. It fits perfectly, with just enough room. No slop, no slip, no scratches...
Nice watch...
Yeah, I keep a dime and a nickel in my watch supplies tackle box for hatches like these. 🍸🍸
Thx for the refresher training.
The moment you mentioned about replacing a battery I immediately thought, “rubber gloves”. I am sure you are now aware, but handling coin batteries with bare hands deposits oils on the surface of the battery that overtime can degrade the life of the battery faster than expected.
@@MiguelBricaBrac Yeah I didn't know at the time. I'll do that next time for sure. Thank you!
You could glue the spacer on the battery with some superglue. All the watches I have, the batteries only last a year for watches with hands.
I've read that they need a 1.3v battery and you can only get a 1.5v. Supposedly the 1.5v works sometimes and sometimes it won't keep time properly and it'll speed up. What V was the battery you used and has it worked well?
I think it's a 1.5v I'll have to check.
But it does run a little fast, no where near like a mechanical watch though... once a month or two I have to move it back a minute or two.
I'll dbl check the voltage and let you know.
@KillingTimeWithNorman I appreciate it. I have a bid on one currently and if I win I'd sure like to use it.
@@felonebike9859 1.55v - I bought the 3875 which is the 394/390 + spacer ring (So I can have a backup spacer).
@KillingTimeWithNorman Okay thanks I appreciate it. Sweet watch for sure. ❤️
@@felonebike9859 Yes! I love the Spaceview!
What is the other circle on back of watch for that has a handle and turns?
Yes! That's how you set the time.
Thank you...was my Dad's...no idea!
What a wonderful watch!!! May I ask, how long modern batteries keep this lovely lady alive? I heard, the original ones lasted only two months or so. 🕐⏳⚙️
I believe this last battery went for about a year or so. Now I have this video as a marker. So when this $1 battery dies, we'll know for certain how long it lasted!
Think I'll do a video discussing that. 🍸🍸
@@KillingTimeWithNorman Oh yes, that would be interesting. ⏱⚙️⚙️
I'm considering an Accutron, but I find the battery situation very confusing. They originally ran on 1.35V mercury cells, which were larger than the 1.55V cell you are using, so they would have lasted longer and wouldn't have required a spacer. Mercury cells were banned in the US for environmental reasons in the early 1990s. I've read that some Accutrons run fine on 1.55V cells, while others have to be modified in some way to keep correct time. Then there is the Accucell, which is an adapter that takes a 1.55V battery and uses a resistor to step down the voltage to 1.35V. I have adapters like that for my old film cameras that used mercury batteries, but the battery can be replaced when it dies. It appears that the Accucell may come with the battery permanently fixed to the adapter, so when the battery dies you have to buy a new Accucell at $10 - $20 each, and eventually these will become unavailable from the one person making them. I don't know if this is true, but I don't feel like spending money to find out if the battery can be separated from the adapter. I guess I'll find out when/if I get an Accutron.
Excellent information, thank you!
Yeah my Accutron is accurate like a well regulated mechanical movement, so every month or so I adjust it a little.
Other than that, with the battery hatch and low prices, the spacer technique is pretty pain-free :)
@@KillingTimeWithNormanby adjusting do you mean just the time or servicing it?
Both batteries, 1.35v mercury oxide (#387) and 1.55v silver oxide (#387S) are exactly the same size. As far as life span of the battery between the two has to do with each watch, not whether it was the 1.35v or the 1.55v. MOST 214 Accutrons will run fine on the 387S 1.55v batteries. Aftermarket Accucell batteries actually bring the voltage down to 1.30v. I personally never use Accucell batteries since I like originality. Instead. certain adjustments on the movement can be made for the watch to keep the time it did with the 1.35v batteries. However, the Accucell battery (I think) uses a #395 battery which can carefully be dismantled and be replaced without buying another Accucell.
@@eduardohernando2849 He means adjusting the time. There is a phone app called WatchCheck that I use to measure the daily gain or loss in each of six positions, and when worn. For example, one of my Accutrons gains time in five positions, but loses time in the sixth. So if it has gained time at the end of the day, I place it in the position where it will lose time overnight, and eventually the time will be correct to the second. Of course I could always set the time manually.
@@starfindings Yes, thank you. I eventually bought two Accutrons. One had already been serviced and phased for 1.55V. The other one needed a new coil and rephasing for 1.55V, along with some case refinishing. Once I found a period-correct bracelet for it, it became my favorite watch. It's a stainless steel up/down day/date that supposedly was made for only one year (1969-1970), but I have seen it with later date codes.
I do love the Spaceview. One day I said to myself, "Self, you need to get a Spaceview for happiness to reign supreme." I then looked at how much they sell for and decided that it would serve no practical purpose for me to have one if I really think carefully about it. It's not looking any better today, unfortunately, but at least they will be preserved for future well heeled generations.
At least one will be preserved lol
@@KillingTimeWithNorman For $500 to $800, there may be a few others that escape the waste bin!
@@KillingTimeWithNormanLOL true
I think, a watch shall be fun. So sell your silly Rolex and get something special. 🎉🕐🎂🥂
Do you love the Spaceview specifically, or Accutron generally? Because there are a lot of vintage Accutrons that sell on eBay for $250 or less. It's the Spaceview that is more expensive. Of course it all depends on the watch's condition and age. A mint condition Accutron from the early 1960s will go for a lot.
BTW what’s the CORRECT battery reference?
“Ordinary” batteries display 1.5v and this Accutron works with a 1.35v
I'm away for a week, I'll look when I get back and let you know.
Idea: put the battery on your finger, let the watch drop down onto it, then flip it over.
Brilliant! Next time I'm totally doing that! Thank you!
It's true when you put a 1.55 volts batt they run faster? Tnx
Yes. However, mine was going for about a month and I had to move it back about one minute.
How much does a watch like this go for ?
Mine was just under $500
Ok thanks 🙏
Amazing
Interesting Norman. Once had a 1977 Omega Seamaster digital that required two batteries. And I wonder if the spacer was always a feature of the Accutron, or if the original battery size has long since been defunct?
My personal guess is the latter. Unless maybe it prevents the battery from coming into contact with metal etc.
Yes. The original Accutron would have taken some of the earliest button cells.@@KillingTimeWithNorman
Yeah, that would make sense.
Just restored my 1968 Bulova Rail Road 214 Accutron in 14k plated ! I love this watch and l ❤️ Love the Humm and continuous sweep second hand! Bulova bring back the tunning fork Accutron !
Oh cool! Totally! Bring it back - and release some nearly identical to the original pieces! Size and looks etc., just update them for modern batteries etc. :)
Are you sure it's 'plated'? In 1968, Bulova was making gold filled cases, much better than plated one. Gold plated cases weren't used until mid 70's.
It may not be, I'll have to look.
I have a SpaceView I love it. I wanted to loosen the hatch and pause it. When I would wear it occasionally, I would be able to tighten it up for the day. I was never able to do this. Maybe the spacer was backwards; I tried it everyway. I don't know. I hate for it to run just in the watch box.(?)
Yeah I hear you I've pondered giving it breaks. I probably should.
It's easy enough to drop the battery out, leave it in the box, and reinsert it when you want to wear the watch. It only takes minutes to do so.
@@starfindingsThanks, I've tried this several times and it does not start back up(?) There is no RESTART button(?) The battery may not have been fresh(?)
@@marcuslieberman3577 Once you drop the battery back into the watch, you might have to lightly tap the watch on the side to start the tuning fork to vibrate.
How do you set time with no crown?
That second circle on the back, there's a 'handle' that flips down, when you rotate that, it moves the hands. :)
I usually just use my thumb nail to remove the battery cover.
@@hotratz69 Oh! There you go! 🍸🍸
You ruined the battery by touching both sides with your bare fingers!
Now you lost a lot of charge.🤦
Touching both sides with your bare fingers could completely drain the battery.
That's why so many people place bad reviews on button cell batteries because they touched both sides, draining them completely so to them it seems like they came empty in the package.
Use latex gloves next time or just use plastic tweezers.
NEVER touch both sides with your bare hands or metal tweezers.
Does this watch hummmm?
Yes! But it's more like an insect, high pitched buzz or similar.
I thought it would be like an electric humm, but def more insectoid. :)
Shoehorn,em in!!??!🤔🙃😵💫😵😵
When changing a watch battery, you should never touch the terminals, you short the batteries life 👍
@@nicktatters7523 Oh! That makes sense. Thank you for that tip!
I think it’s WRONG idea to handle any coin battery with bare hands, because U can damage them with a discharge.
Oh good point, I'll use finger cots from now on
Gold coin is best!!!😂😂😂
Oh! There you go! 🍸🍸
my accutron 2 takes a BIG coin cell battery
Oh!
Accutron II is quartz, a completely different watch
The battery hatch is very similar to the CWC G10.
Yes! And I feel hatches like this are brilliant.
You'd better not touch cell batteries with bare hands. Use non conductive tweezers instead.
Oh! Excellent tip! 🍸🍸
Not true- totally false! I've been working on Accutrons for 54years and never had that problem.
One thin dime and under 60 seconds,I’m done, this guy was making a short movie,WTF.
First! Good work Norm.....
Boom! 🍸🍸
not a true space view..... can you say "conversion"?