Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulova Accutron (Ref. 3090), 1971
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova (maker)
- Date
- 1971
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- BLVAATRN-4
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BLVAATRN-4)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1971 Bulova Accutron (Ref. 3090) (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BLVAATRN-4), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated 1971. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 mm. 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 — Craft & Tailored
The vintage Bulova obsession in the watch community is very real and here to stay! The unique and funky watches that Bulova made from the 60s-80s are always a cause for conversation. Ranging from colorful diving chronographs to eccentric electric watches like the famous Accutron. SPECS Stock # BLVAATRN-4 Brand Bulova Style Accutron Model 3090 Serial N1 Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Matte Black Millimeters 38mm Bracelet 2pc Handmade Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The stunning case is believed to remain unpolished and features strong factory brushing dimensions with light signs of use. The Accutron signed offset crown is original to the watch. The case back retains all of its factory markings in deep and crisp condition. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The applied logo matte black dial is in exceptionally well-preserved condition showing no blemishes or signs of age. The tritium lume dots have aged to a charming creamy patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly and display no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is operating perfectly and keeping excellent time, and just received a new battery.
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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