Dazed and confused...

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by Wrist Candy

The Accutron tuning fork model was in production from 1959 until aprox 1978 when Bulova changed over to the quartz movement. Very few TF movement watches remained in service after the mid 80's as one component or another would die & most jewellery stores did not have parts and or expertise to repair them.

I own an RR 218 (railroad watch) that was given to me in 1977 by my mom & dad, and I used the watch in rail service for 18 years and then continually thereafter until 2005 when I bought my Breitling. The watch kept very good time (gain only, never slow) & probably within crono specs up until about 2000when it started to act up (stopping & loosing time.) The watch repair person that I used then had many "new" old stock parts as well as used parts that he had salvaged from the many TF watches that he took on trade for the new quartz models, so a replacement part was installed & the watch still runs today although it is back to loosing time once again.

The TF models were not as precise at the quartz units but were none the less very accurate. They were also much harder on batteries than the quartz watches (usually get a year out of them at most)

My old Accutron service man has since passed on but his replacement is very knowlegable & still has (to the best of my knowledge ) a large selection of parts.

Carl, if you interested in talking to the jeweler that I deal with PM me & I will get his contact info to you. (we're located in western Canada)

By the way, I'm going to try placing my watch on its 3 oclock side to see if that keeps it from losing time.

Thank you for the information about your watch and your jeweler. If I ever need to get parts I'll surely use his contact information to help me find some!

Originally Posted by watch watcher

Could be a battery issue. Note, this covers 214 movement; not sure if it applies to yours:

"COIL MODIFICATION: The electronic circuit in your 214 (commonly referred to as the coil) was designed to run on 1.35 volt mercury batteries which are no longer sold in the USA. Currently available batteries produce 1.55 volts. Most 214's can be adjusted to run properly without too much difficulty, but a relative few have tuning forks that were manufactured at the lower end of their tolerances (photo). This was OK when the magnets were energized by 1.3 volts but at 1.5 volts these forks are over-active which causes them to periodically index two teeth instead of one. The adjustment of an over-active fork is so tenuous that any external force will cause it to speed up. This also explains why some watches run great on the dresser but too fast when worn.

"The micro-thin coil wire used in your 214 is already working against the ravages of age. Running an over-voltage of .2V through the delicate wire can't possibly be a good idea. The other delicate components in the circuit will not benefit either. Even if your 214 runs well with the new batteries, the longevity of your coil could be at risk. There is no longer any doubt that all 214's will benefit from a reduction in voltage back to the original 1.35 volts.

"Fortunately there is a way to permanently solve the problem. A diode which lowers battery voltage in the circuit by 0.2 volts can be installed in the coil. This is really the best possible solution to the problem. The watch will perform as it did when new, battery issues will be resolved, and the life of the coil will be extended. Whether actually needed or not, this inexpensive modification is highly recommended. It is not noticeable and it is reversible."

(credit: Martin Marcus)

Thank you, I already read about batteries and was aware the ones they used for Accutrons are now discontinued but I remember seeing a little chart showing the new batteries that could be put in my 218 if I needed to change it (my jeweler knows this information as well). As for the coil it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask my jeweler about this in order to avoid breaking it!

Thank you very much everybody, your information were very useful and I'll keep this thread in mind if unfortunate events happen again to my piece!

P.S.: I took a look today and the watch gained two or three minutes by letting it rest on its right side, I'll wear it some time tomorrow to find out if wearing it slows it down (it happened before) and see if I can find a little "schedule" to keep the time or, perhaps, have it regulated!