Deke Slayton's personally-owned and -worn Bulova Accutron Astronaut model wristwatch in stainless steel with original stainless steel Bulova Accutron bracelet, grade 214 tuning-fork mechanism, black 12-hour dial with 24-hour rotating bezel, additional hand with arrow pointer indicating time on the 24-hour scale, with luminous hands and markers. The bezel allows one to read local time in the 24-hour system when the "24" indication on the bezel is opposite the 12 o'clock marker on the dial, and also allows one to set the bezel in position for another time zone anywhere on the planet. The movement, case, dial, crown and band all bear the Accutron logo. Originally, the batteries for such watches were 1.35V mercury, while today watch batteries are 1.55V; the difference in voltage would yield slightly different timekeeping requiring regulation if changed to modern batteries.
The current watch is correctly regulated for the modern 387S battery, which is actually a 394 in protective insulated ring. Use of the ring is critical to keeping the battery in position and preventing the battery from draining away. One can replace the battery with the 394 if the ring is kept with it, always making sure that the positive side is down within the battery chamber. The natural contours of the insulator allow the battery to fall in naturally in correct position. The watch was found in Slayton's jewelry box after his passing, and was undoubtedly worn by him during the 1960s when the watch was state of the art.
This artifact would not have been used on missions, as only mechanical timepieces were specified at that time. This classic model, highly collectible in its own right, is even more prestigious because of its notable previous owner. The condition is excellent, showing very light wear, mint dial and hands, the crystal showing natural fine crazing from age, the band with a few microfine scratches on the deployment clasp is normal. Provenance: Donald K. Slayton Family Collection, Goldberg Auctioneers, June 2012.
