Bulova Computron N6 228 Non-Driver Style LED Watch Stainless

[rayr0683]

Hello All,

I am new here. I just got my first LED watch, its a Bulova Computron, N6 Cell is 228. This is Stainless Steel, Space Looking, not the Drivers Style Watch. It has some nicks and scratches, and is without original bracelette. It is working, keeping time, etc.....Is there anything I can or should do to this watch, to get it in tip top shape? I want to wear it.
Is the module in this watch, the same as the Driver Style N6 228 Computron? Is the Module condidered a good one? Is it possible to find a new case for it, and easily swap the module into it? I appreciate any info you could supply on this watch, when I do searches on it, I find pictures looking like it, same numbers, computron N6, 228, and it is referred to as a UHR model. What does that mean? Is it an accurate module? Are batteries readily available? I appreciate any direstion you guys could point me too. Thanks, Ray

[fronzelneekburm]

OK i try giving some helpfull info here.

N6 is the Production code N means 1970s the 6 is the year, so this watch was made in 1976.

The 228 references to the battery type of this watch - as every watch maker and battery maker has another "brand name" for the same battery type this is often confusing.

There is no international standard, but most watch enthusiasts probably refer to the AG code, the "political correct" IEC code would be LR44. For your watch that would mean it is using AG-13 cells (in your case TWO of them), or in Bulovas terms it requires 2 Bulova-228 cells. That's a standard inexpensive 1.5 Volts alkaline button cell. Also available as silver oxide (SR44) with avg. 30% more capacity.


To tell a bit more about the computron model, one should start a bit earlier in Bulova History. In 1952 Bulova starts working on the accutron, which - due to complicated research - misses the goal of becoming the first electronic wristwatch in stores. Actually the Hamilton steals the show in 1957, so in 1960 the Bulova at least becomes the "first watch that keeps the time electronically". While the Hamilton just uses its battery to wind itself, the Bulova uses an electronic tuning-fork to keep time, making it very accurate for its time. The Name Accutron derives from "ACCUracy and ElecTRONic", trying to remind the customer that the high accuracy is brought by the (back then) wonder of electronics.

In 1970 the accuquartz was the first quartz-crystal wristwatch retailed in the USA.

In 1975 Bulova issued a single LED watch model under the brand name "Bulova", although it was a quartz model of course it was not marketed under the name "Accuquartz", on one side Bulova wasn't too sure about the success of a watch without hands, but after the Pulsar boom they didn't want to lose against the signs of time and launched this watch without much advertising as some kind of test baloon. WHile not producing overwhelming success the watch obviously showed Bulova that there's a market for digital watches and they decided to enter the market with unique designs next season.

In 1976 Bulova introduced the Accutron Quartz series. Originally the Accuquartz should have been the quartz series, but due to its supreme accuracy the quartz soon ended the tuningfork era. Bulova found out that Accutron was a well known brand and so the quartz was just adopted into this brand name.

In 1976 Bulova also introduced the Computron brand name along with the well known "Driver's style" LED watches, today these are probably the best known for the brand name "Computron". There's not only the driver style computrons but also some classic style computron brand LED watches. In 1977 Bulova produced it's last LED watches, as the cheap digital watches from asia ruined not only prices but also much of the digital watches reputation.


Now about the watch itself. You write you want to use it for every day wear. In that case i would not refurbish the case. Take some time cleaning and polishing the case with a soft cloth, but I'd leave it like that. You can also restore the whole case and bracelet if you insist on making your own scratches and dings in it, but i would not regard that necessary unless it's "really beaten up".

The module belongs to the most reliable and accurate ones i know. It is really amazing how many bulova LED modules still work fine today.

BTW: "Uhr" is the german word for "watch" or "Wristwatch". So whenever you read this you are probably reading some german. This is not unusual as most "better" watch companies derive from switzerland and german along withg french is their main language.

[rayr0683]

Wow.......Thanks alot for the info. That tells me alot about some of my main concerns. I am glad to hear it is one of the most accurate and reliable modules. I received it today. The only bothersome thing, is a scratch on the lens, crystal, can feel with fingernail. I have been polishing with Janvil, heavy duty but am barely making a dent in the scratch, must be a tough, hard lens. If I could polish out that scratch, Id be alot happier.....Thanks, Ray

[fronzelneekburm]

I'm not sure which model you exactly got, but afaik all Bulova should come with mineral glass, so you will probably have a tough time getting that scratch out.

I have a small collection of replacement crystals, but unfortunately no Bulova ones, so if you don't get it polished it will most probably stay that way, but i don't think thats too bad. For an everyday watch you have a high chance of making a scratch into the glass yourself after the years.

Polishing scratches out of Glasses is actually very hard to do and only few jewelers still offer such a service today.

It would probably be cheaper to search a beaten-up non-worker with unscratched glass, but actually changing glasses ain't easy for beginners on some watches. I must admit i never changed one on a Bulova.


Wel i am sure you will still have some fun and an accurate and fancy timekeeping instrument with your bulova.


Oh one thing i forgot to add to your original question - the driver style and classic style Bulova LED watches have totally different modules that are not interchangable. The driver style had the display in a (nearly?) 90 degree angle while the display is flat on the middle of the watch for the classic style. It is a completely different design.

[azimuth_pl]

is it this one? case design might vary.

http://crazywatches.w.interia.pl/photo/ ... a_hex.html

or perhaps the one that most often can be found in a steel case?

the easiest way to have a nice crystal is to turn it upside down, especially on a Bulova. heat the case up in an oven for 10 minutes and pop it out carefully from the inside with a cloth. apply epoxy and its ready.