Bulova Accutron Cushion Case

In 1960, Bulova had a vision of the future — and in that future, there was humming. The Accutron was the world's first electronic watch. About a decade before the infamous Quartz Crisis, Bulova put into production a timepiece that did away with the traditional balance wheel, favoring instead a steel tuning fork powered by electromagnets attached to a battery-powered transistor oscillator circuit as its timekeeper. Designed by Max Hetzel, the Accutron made waves, becoming the first wristwatch precise enough to be qualified for U.S. Railroad certification and guaranteed to be accurate to roughly one minute per month, or about two seconds per day.   While Bulova had grand plans for their watch of the future, the didn't anticipate the success that the uniquely appointed Spaceview would generate. Designed to be a salesman's tool and display watch only, the Spaceview 214 was never intended for retail purchase. But when demands for the watch spiked, Bulova responded, producing versions with the same unique characteristics of their display models.   With its visible circuitry and tuning fork, the Accutron Spaceview was unlike anything before — and really, anything since. Though it remained in production for roughly 17 years, the tuning fork technology was eventually beaten out by quartz crystal movements, making this unbelievable piece of history a short-lived but totally revolutionary wristwatch.   This specific watch, although not a Spaceview, is built on the same underlying technology. Housed in a 35mm stainless steel case with short, semi-integrated lugs, an acrylic crystal, and a 4 o'clock crown. It features a silver dial with an outer minute track, applied indices with luminous plots, a 3 o'clock date window, a luminous pencil handset, and a the Bulova Calibre 2181 tuning fork movement within. This handsome eccentric watch is an important piece of American horological history. If that tickles your fancy, you know what to do!