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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Tuning fork wristwatch

Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218

Partially verified

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.

Front view of the Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' showing the grey dial, horizontal stripe, and gold-filled case.
Front view of the Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' showing the grey dial, horizontal stripe, and gold-filled case. — Analog:Shift. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
analogshift.com
Category
Wristwatch · Tuning fork wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Bulova
Reference
218
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1973
Source-reported place
Not established

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 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.

Evidence for this section
  • “Housed in a substantial 40mm gold-filled case”
  • “Finished in a textured silver-grey tone, it features a dramatic horizontal stripe running across its center”
  • “Applied baton markers, a framed date aperture at 3 o'clock, and a Roman numeral day display at 9 o'clock further enhance the unconventional layout.”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “Beneath the dial beats Bulova's celebrated Accutron Caliber 218 tuning-fork movement”
  • “the 218 uses a vibrating tuning fork powered by a battery and transistorized circuit, producing the smooth sweeping seconds hand and faint electronic hum”
  • “It was one of the most important technological breakthroughs in wristwatch history, bridging the gap between traditional mechanics and the quartz revolution that followed.”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “Each Accutron timepiece undergoes rigorous inspection and certification by expert watchmakers and is backed by the manufacture”
  • “Analog:Shift is proud to be partnered with Accutron as the exclusive retailer for Factory Certified Pre-Owned timepieces.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer serial number for this individual 218 case?
  • What are the precise manufacturing dates indicated by the caseback date code?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBulova“Vendor: Bulova”
ModelAccutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218“Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218”
Datecirca 1973“This particular Accutron dates to approximately 1973”
Case dimensions40mm“Housed in a substantial 40mm gold-filled case”
Case materialGold-filled“Housed in a substantial 40mm gold-filled case”
MovementCaliber 218“Bulova's celebrated Accutron Caliber 218 tuning-fork movement”
Movement typeTuning-fork“the 218 uses a vibrating tuning fork powered by a battery and transistorized circuit”
Additional componentsExtra caseback“This model even comes with an extra caseback.”

Visible details

  • 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

Research qualifications

  • Specific production year beyond 'approximately 1973' is not verified
  • Case composition described as 'gold-filled' without metallurgical assay results

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

Consulted source

ساعت Bulova Accutron 'Jumbo Stripe' 218

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 6e3ee1cf67

Terms in this record

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

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