Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Bulova Accutron Spaceview "T", Electronic Tuning Fork
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova (maker)
- Date
- c. 1969
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- United States
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 38 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 8904022393108
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (product 8904022393108)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Bulova Accutron Spaceview "T" - Electronic Tuning Fork (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number Product 8904022393108), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated c. 1969. 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 5 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 — Collectors Corner NY
We're always hunting for unique pieces and this Accutron Spaceview "T" from Bulova definitely fits the bill. Accutrons have become more collectible in recent years due to their cameo in Mad Men, as well as the success of Bulova/Accutron's adjacent reissues. Tuning fork movements are an interesting part of horological history and actually pre-dated the quartz movement. They produce a light and soothing humming noise from their vibration when held close to your ear and when introduced by Bulova were considered so accurate that they were used in spy satellites by the U.S. Military. This example, circa 1969, remains in excellent and honest condition. It features a funky cushion style case with a charming size of 38mm. It was recently serviced by Rob B. - a trusted watchmaker of these particular tuning fork movements. As a result, it is ready to go for years of enjoyment to come. The Accutron occupies an interesting and unique place in horology and offers great value in today's market. For anyone who appreciates the mechanics of watches, the open dial is a marvel to enjoy on wrist.
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)
Related records
Wristwatches · c. 1969
Bulova 'Accutron' tuning-fork wristwatch by Bulova
Royal Museums Greenwich
Wristwatches · c. 1965
Wristwatch Accutron by Knud Geelmuyden Bull
Royal Museums Greenwich
Clocks · c. 1960s
Bulova wall clock, Lighted Advertising Wall Clock for Robert Schenck Jeweler, circa 1960s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1963
Bulova wristwatch, ref. 314, Diver Super Compressor, 1963
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Wristwatches · 1949–1992
Timex `Electric' wristwatch, with electrically operated balance wheel mechanism, United States, 1949–1992
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1972
Wristwatch by Hamilton Watch Company and Electro-Data Inc, United States, 1972
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · 1973–1974
Quartz watch with liquid crystal digital display, made by American Microsystems Inc. (AMI) . 1973/74
Science Museum Group, London
Wristwatches · c. 1973
Wristwatch by Josef Bulova, United States, c. 1973
German Clock Museum