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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Day-Date wristwatch

Bulova Accutron 'Electric Brown' Day-Date

Partially verified

This Bulova Accutron Day-Date is a stainless steel wristwatch produced in 1976. The watch is powered by the Accutron Caliber 218 movement, an electronically powered tuning fork mechanism that vibrates at 360 hertz. The dial features an engraved motif with iridescent finishes and includes a day-date display. The case is constructed from stainless steel and incorporates a crown positioned at the 4 o'clock position. The production date is identified by the manufacturer's "N6" caseback code, where the "N" indicates the 1970s decade and the "6" specifies the year 1976. The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet. The Accutron line of watches, of which this piece is a part, uses tuning fork technology rather than a traditional balance wheel to achieve timekeeping accuracy.

Front view of the Bulova Accutron 'Electric Brown' Day-Date, showing the engraved dial, day-date window, and stainless steel bracelet.
Front view of the Bulova Accutron 'Electric Brown' Day-Date, showing the engraved dial, day-date window, and stainless steel bracelet. — Analog Shift. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
shop.analogshift.com
Category
Wristwatch · Day-Date wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Bulova
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1976
Source-reported place
United States

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The watch features a stainless steel case with proportions described as architectural and substantial. The crown is located at the 4 o'clock position, a placement that serves to differentiate the 218 series from its predecessor, the 214 series.

The dial exhibits an engraved motif accompanied by iridescent finishes. The day-date display is situated at the 3 o'clock position. A tuning fork logo is visible on the lower portion of the dial at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section
  • “stainless steel case”
  • “crown to a more conventional position (often at 4 o’clock)”
  • “engraved motif with iridescent finishes”
  • “Day-Date captures that spirit”

Movement and Technology

This timepiece utilizes the Bulova Accutron Caliber 218 movement. This movement operates via an electronically powered tuning fork that vibrates at a frequency of 360 hertz.

Unlike mechanical watches, this movement does not utilize a balance wheel. The technology was engineered to provide a smooth sweep and was marketed by Bulova to maintain accuracy within one minute per month during its production era.

Evidence for this section
  • “Powered by the legendary Accutron Caliber 218”
  • “electronically powered tuning fork vibrates at 360 hertz”
  • “There’s no balance wheel oscillating inside”
  • “accuracy that Bulova claimed was within one minute per month”

Identification and Dating

The year of manufacture for this specific watch is 1976. This is determined by the "N6" date code located on the caseback.

According to the manufacturer's coding system for this era, the letter "N" denotes the decade of the 1970s, while the numeral "6" denotes the specific year within that decade.

Evidence for this section
  • “produced in 1976 (as confirmed by its “N6” caseback date code)”
  • “"N" signifies the 1970s decade, and the "6" indicates the specific year 1976”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific reference number or model name for this specific dial configuration?
  • Does the serial number on the caseback indicate the specific month of production in 1976?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bulova Accutron 'Electric Brown' Day-Date
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBulova“Bulova Accutron”
ModelAccutron Day-Date“Bulova Accutron Day-Date”
MovementAccutron Caliber 218“Powered by the legendary Accutron Caliber 218”
Date1976“produced in 1976”
Date codeN6““N6” caseback date code”
Oscillation frequency360 hertz“tuning fork vibrates at 360 hertz”
Case materialStainless steel“stainless steel case”

Visible details

  • Crown positioned at 4 o'clock
  • Day-date window located at 3 o'clock
  • Engraved dial motif with iridescent brown finish
  • Tuning fork symbol on the dial at 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement condition not inspected visually as caseback is not shown in photos
  • Accuracy claims are based on manufacturer historical data rather than current testing

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ساعت مچی Bulova Accutron 'Electric Brown' Day-Date مدل ۱۹۷۶

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 508d7523c2

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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