Designed for the NASA space program, but also used on A-12 spy planes, the Astronaut GMT was intended for exploration.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
From the serial number on the case back we can accurately date this watch to being made in 1966. The Mark 1 versions, launched in 1962, had a price of $175.
CONDITION
If you want to know more about the A-12 and other cutting edge aircraft this watch was standard equipment for, Hodinkee have done an in depth article you can read here, and it also goes into the Bulova Astronaut watch too. We will focus on our specific example. It has the correct dial for the 1966 watch, with extra lume on the half hour markers (which are hour markers for the 24 hour hand). The tritium lume on the straight hands and of the dial has all faded to a dark cream, which looks fantastic against the black dial. The GMT hand makes more sense for space travel than it does in most places, as you wouldn’t really know if it was morning or evening without it. The 24 hour bezel helps you track a second time zone too, and it turns without any clicks. The 214H movement is all working well and is back set, so no crown to be seen. There is some hand drag on the seconds hand when setting the time, far from uncommon on this movement but doesn’t affect the operation of the watch at all. The hands do have some corrosion but the movement is clean. We will install a brand new battery before sending the watch out to the new owner. The bracelet is by Bulova but is not originally from the GMT Astronaut watch, and it has an aftermarket bracelet extender to make it fit more wrists. The bracelet has been cleaned in our ultrasonic bath. The watch is signed on the dial, case, movement and clasp.
This watch will be supplied with our branded and reusable zipped travel case and cleaning cloth, and our Certificate of Authenticity.
This watch has been checked against the Watch Register and has not been reported as lost, stolen or implicated in fraud, and a copy of that certificate will also be included.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 38.0 mm
Width without crown 38.0 mm
Between lugs 17 mm
Lug to lug length 39.5 mm
Case Thickness 13.3 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 190 mm including the aftermarket bracelet extender. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate. The watch is photographed on a wrist of 190mm/7.5 inches.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.
