Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulova Accutron Quartz, 10k Gold Plated, Dual-Day, circa 1978
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova (maker)
- Date
- c. 1978
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Stock no.
- VWS2927
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS2927)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Bulova - Accutron Quartz - 10k Gold Plated - Dual-Day - c.1978 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number VWS2927), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated c. 1978. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist
Vintage Bulova Accutron Quartz 'Dual-Day' with Day & Date with 10k Rolled Gold Plated Case c.1978 Bulova was founded by Joseph Bulova, an immigrant from Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic). The brand became famous for its innovative designs and precision timekeeping. One of Bulova's most notable contributions to the watch industry was the introduction of the Accutron watch in 1960. The Accutron was the world's first electronic watch, utilising a tuning fork instead of traditional balance wheels. What’s on Offer Here we have a very unique Bulova Accutron Quartz Dual-Day dating to 1978. We believe it to be a presentation watch of some sort as the gold-plated case has been historically engraved. This piece offers the option of a vintage dress watch while being super casual. The dial contains gilt hands, markers and a date window which all tie in nicely against a silver 'ring' dial. Also on the dial is a unique logo with the number 25. The watch is currently paired with a Speidel U.S.A expandable bracelet which is gold plated and period correct. The caseback displays engravings relating to its original owner and the date it was probably issued. Regarding the condition of this watch, overall it is very good for its age. Minor signs of wear such as blemishes and light scratches are present on the case and caseback. The plating on the bracelet has been subject to some wear over time.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Quartz, digital and electronic watches
Electronic watches arrived in three steps. The Hamilton Electric 500 (1957) was the first battery-powered wristwatch, still with a balance; Bulova's Accutron (1960) used a tuning fork. On 25 December 1969 Seiko released the Astron 35SQ, the first quartz wristwatch, closely followed by the Swiss Beta 21 group. In 1972 Hamilton's Pulsar introduced the LED digital watch, and LCD displays soon made digital watches cheap.
The 'Quartz Crisis' that followed devastated the Swiss mechanical industry, which lost two-thirds of its workforce between 1970 and 1984 before recovering with the Swatch (1983) and the luxury mechanical revival. Solar, radio-controlled, kinetic and connected smartwatches continue the electronic line.
What to look for
- Battery hatch in the case back and calibre markings with 'Quartz' or a crystal frequency.
- Display technology: LED (red, push-button) versus LCD (always-on).
- Tuning-fork hum and a smoothly sweeping seconds hand on Accutrons.
- Model and reference numbers, often printed on the back.
Dating clues
- Electric balance watches: from 1957.
- Tuning-fork watches: 1960–c. 1977.
- Quartz analogue: from December 1969; LED digital: 1972–c. 1978; LCD from 1973.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Seiko calibre 35A (Astron)
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