Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1973
This Bulova Accutron, colloquially identified by the source as the 'Jumbo Stripe' 218, is a vintage wristwatch from approximately 1973. It is housed in a 40mm gold-filled case and features a silver-grey dial with a distinct horizontal stripe running across its center.
The dial is appointed with applied baton hour markers, a date aperture at the 3 o'clock position, and a Roman numeral day display at 9 o'clock. Power is provided by the Bulova Accutron Caliber 218, a tuning-fork movement that utilizes a battery-operated circuit and vibrating tuning fork rather than a balance wheel. This specific example is presented with an additional caseback. The auction description notes that the timepiece has undergone certification by watchmakers as a factory-certified pre-owned offering.
It is attached to a textured black strap.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1973
- Type
- Tuning fork wristwatch
- Maker
- Bulova
- Model
- Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218
- Movement
- Caliber 218
- Case material
- Gold-filled
- Movement type
- Tuning-fork
- Case dimensions
- 40mm
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova
- Additional components
- Extra caseback
Design
- Visible features
- • Horizontal grey stripe across the dial • Roman numeral displayed at 9 o'clock • Date aperture displayed at 3 o'clock • Crown positioned at the 4 o'clock position
- Case and Dial Design
- The timepiece features a 40mm case constructed from gold-filled material. The overall design language is associated with the 1970s, characterized by its substantial dimensions and unconventional aesthetic choices. The crown is located on the side of the case at the 4 o'clock position. The dial is finished in a silver-grey tone and is visually anchored by a prominent horizontal stripe spanning its diameter. Legibility is provided by applied baton-style hour markers. Additional functionality is integrated into the dial display through a framed aperture located at 3 o'clock for the date and a Roman numeral indicator at 9 o'clock for the day of the week.
- Movement and Functionality
- The watch is powered by the Bulova Caliber 218, a tuning-fork movement. Unlike traditional mechanical movements that rely on a balance wheel, this mechanism operates via a battery and a transistorized circuit. This system causes the tuning fork to vibrate, which generates the movement's characteristic audible hum and contributes to the smooth motion of the seconds hand. The Caliber 218 is identified as a bridge between older mechanical systems and the subsequent era of quartz technology.
- Certification and Provenance
- The listing is identified as part of a factory-certified pre-owned program. According to the auction description, the timepiece has been subjected to an inspection process conducted by expert watchmakers. The source material identifies this program as an exclusive partnership between the retailer and the manufacturer, intended to ensure authenticity and operational quality for the consumer.
Identification
- Reference
- 218
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Specific production year beyond 'approximately 1973' is not verified
- Research required: Case composition described as 'gold-filled' without metallurgical assay results