Bulova Accutron Watches

An Electronic Accuracy Story – Bulova Accutron

The world of watch making completely changed when Bulova Accutron Watch appeared back in 1960. Technology used in its construction marked the first major horological breakthrough in three centuries. The new Bulova Accutron timepiece was unlike any other wristwatch in so many aspects. It was the very first completely electronic watch ever made, and it offered yet unseen accuracy.

The Accutron did not include an escapement or springs. Instead, it utilized a tuning fork, placed between two electromagnetic coils. The inventor of the mechanism was a Bulova’s employee, Swiss-born Max Hetzel. Another interesting novelty of the Accutron was the fact that its mechanism produced humming sounds, unlike all other watches that ticked. With the frequency of 360 Hz, it was punctual within one minute per month (or two seconds per day).

NASA, Railroad Personnel and Air Force One

Bulova’s technology was originally used by NASA, which clearly shows the superiority of the tuning fork mechanism to all rival products at the time. An Accutron was utilized in the Vanguard 1 satellite in 1958, and more importantly, also later during the historical conquering of the Moon.  During the first moonwalk in 1969, all time keeping mechanisms and panel clocks were Accutrons with tuning fork movements.

Apart from its space conquests, the Bulova Accutron made many other remarkable achievements. It was the first wristwatch ever authorized for railroad use.  Besides, Bulova Accutron timepiece was incorporated in the Air Force One airplane in 1967.

A Watch That Was Created By Demand

Even though it was previously used by the government agency, general public first saw Bulova’s breakthrough in October 1960. To underline their uniqueness and the use of the brand’s new technology, the U.S. watch making company created several “display models”. These models included crystals with imprinted markings, and were originally intended to aid the sellers in explaining the Accutron’s functioning. Since the crystal had all the information usually found on a dial, the constructors were able to show the Accutron’s mechanism with a tuning fork, electromagnets and green circuitry. The “Spaceview” Accutrons were sent to dealers worldwide, and were also used in commercials.

However, these models with exposed mechanisms have become real hits. Bulova had to respond to massive demand and the Accutron Spaceview came into existence. The first models included 14 kt gold cases, but soon there were also less expensive Accutrons set in steel cases. The new design included a chapter ring, as well as a crystal with a tuning fork logo and the Accutron name on it.

The Emergence of Quartz

The initial Bulova Accutrons were equipped with the caliber 214. This movement does not include a crown. Instead, there is a setting device situated at the back of the watch. The next version of the movement was designated 218. Bulova Accutrons with the calibers 218 have single crowns at the four o’clock positions, or two crowns at the four and the two o’clock positions (this mechanism was never used in the Spaceview). The caliber 218 was also slimmer and possessed a range of functions not seen in its predecessor (such as a calendar complication).

Calibers that followed during the 70s (e.g. 219,230 and 221), were a response to emerging quartz watches that offered similar precision as an Accutron, but at a lower price. In effort to reduce the cost, Bulova included more plastic parts. However, these new mechanisms were significantly less reliable and sought-after.

The End of the Tuning Fork Movement

The pressure of new technologies had soon proved to be too hard. Bulova stopped producing tuning fork mechanisms in 1977, after selling more than five million Accutrons. That marked the end of a golden era in Bulova’s history.

In 1979, the company was taken over by Loews Corporation, which subsequently made several attempts to repeat the success of the original Accutron. Their products, such as the quartz anniversary edition of the Spaceview, or models with a mechanical ETA movement, were not able to accomplish that, since they lacked the uniqueness of an original tuning fork concept.

A New Era for Accutron

Since then, the owner of Bulova has once again changed.  In 2008, Bulova was bought by Citizen. The new Accutron brand, produced under Citizen, includes both watches with quartz and with mechanical movements. The contemporary Accutrons are sorted in the collections named Kirkwood, Gemini, Curacao, Corvara, Stratford, Massela, Mirador, Amerigo, Exeter, Eagle Pilot and Saleya. In 2010, a limited 50^th anniversary edition of 1000 pieces of the Accutron Spaceview (with original features, including a reproduction of the 214 caliber) was released.