Bulova Accutron Cushion 'Woody', early 1970s

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

In 1960, Bulova had a vision of the future — and in that future, there was humming. 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. 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 2 seconds per day. While Bulova had grand plans for their watch of the future, they never anticipated the success that the uniquely appointed Spaceview would generate. Designed to be a salesman's tool and display watch only, the transparent 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, uses the same tuning fork technology. Dating to the early 1970s, it features a 10K yellow gold-plated 37.5mm cushion-shaped case with a 4 o'clock crown, an acrylic crystal, and most interestingly of all, a unique wooden bezel insert and matching faux-wooden inserts on the matching bracelet's center links. The dial is no less compelling: Black in color, its outer section consists of a 1/5th-seconds track with applied, gold-plated 'Arabic' and rectangular indices; a day-date display at 3 o'clock; a gold-tone 'baton' handset; and an applied Accutron tuning fork logo above 6 o'clock. Powered by the Bulova Accutron Calibre 218 tuning fork movement, it's one of the most distinctive watches in our inventory dating to the Groovy '70s. No matter your mechanical-movement inclinations, there is no denying that tuning fork movement is a one-of-a-kind piece of horological history. Oh, and the humming? Hold this baby up to your ear and you'll hear that tuning fork, humming away! Accutron Factory Certified Pre-Owned Analog:Shift is proud to be partnered with Accutron as the exclusive retailer for Factory Certified Pre-Owned timepieces. Our longstanding relationship and shared passion for horological history and design have culminated in this unique offering. Each Accutron timepiece undergoes rigorous inspection and certification by expert watchmakers and is backed by the manufacture, ensuring unparalleled authenticity and quality.