Bulova 228 Accuquartz

Chunky and gold, pure 70s.

Description:

The Bulova 228 Accuquartz was Bulova's very first digital watch, released in 1974.

This watch is noticeable for having a large case milled out of a solid hunk of stainless steel, hence the nickname "Big Block". The watch is not waterproof and has a rather delicate mechanism that connects the crown to the module inside, so its toughness is only skin deep. It feels a little bit like a "beta" version since the button mechanism can be a bit fickle and the calander has 31 days for each month rather than adjusting the number of days for each month like later digital watch models.

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This watch is very satisfying to wear due to its solid feel and weight It feels like something that James Bond or some type of superhero might wear. Like most Bulova watches, this can be dated using the date code on the back which reads "N4" for 1974.

Condition:

Case: Very good.
This watch is in very good condition with a beautiful brushed front bezel. The sides are polished smooth with only a few tiny marks. The watch case base has a few small marks, but otherwise, it looks almost newish.

Face / Hands: Excellent.
All LED digits and segments are complete and bright.

Crystal: Excellent.
No scratches or scuffs. The acrylic crystal has been polished smooth. Since the crystal is plastic, if it does get a minor scratch, it can be easily repolished back to near perfection.

Band / Bracelet: Very good.
The original bracelet is in very good condition with nice brushing. There is only a tiny bit of microscopic plating loss. The clasp has a few very small scratches. The bracelet is complete and will comfortably fit an 8.25" wrist.

Function / Accuracy: Excellent.
All functions work properly. Due to the delicate crown mechanism described above, these watches frequently have problems with the crown not working correctly, particularly with the date function. Everything works perfectly on this sample. Digital quartz accuracy.