devmaproperties
Bronze Contributor
Hello CWC members,
Here’s a chance to grab a piece of horological history. For sale is my original 1972 Bulova Accutron Spaceview. I am the second owner, purchased from the original owner who bought it 45 years ago.
History:
The 1960s saw Bulova’s most famous and influential contribution to the science of watchmaking — the*Bulova Accutron, the world’s first fully electronic watch. Rolled out under*worldwide scrutiny at the World’s Watchmaking Fair in Basel, Switzerland*(now called Baselworld)*in 1960, the watch incorporated a revolutionary new technology that utilized a 360-Herz tuning fork, powered by a one-transistor electronic oscillator,*to drive the timekeeping functions rather than a traditional balance wheel. The brainchild of Bulova engineer (and Basel native) Max Hetzel, this technology ensured an oscillation rate of 360 times per second*—*nearly 150 times faster than that*of a mechanical, balance-wheel-driven timepiece — and guaranteed an accuracy to just one minute per month. The Accutron was distinguished by its telltale humming instead of ticking, a sound generated by the vibrating tuning fork. The first Accutron model, called Spaceview 214 and featuring its now-famous open dial showing off the high-tech movement, also deviated from traditional wristwatch design with its lack of*setting stem and crown on the side of the watch; these elements were*instead*placed on the back of the case. The Accutron has been the cornerstone of Bulova’s portfolio ever since. In 2010, its 50th anniversary year, Bulova released a special, limited-edition replica of the Spaceview with a modern movement.
Bulova also lent its expertise to the U.S. government during the late-1960s Space Race with the Soviet Union. During its*decades-long partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bulova helped outfit numerous satellite missions with Accutron timekeeping technology, starting with the Vanguard 1 in 1958.*All timekeeping instruments, including instrument-panel clocks, aboard NASA’s*manned spacecraft missions leading up to and including the legendary first Moon Walk on July 21, 1969, were equipped with Bulova Accutron tuning fork technology. (At the time, even NASA scientists could not know how a mechanical timekeeper would function in low-gravity conditions.) Of course, watch history buffs are well aware that it was the Omega Speedmaster Professional (now appropriately nicknamed the Moonwatch) that won the right to be official NASA watch and hence the first watch worn on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Fewer may realize that astronaut Buzz Aldrin also*placed a Bulova*Accutron timer in the Sea of Tranquility to help transmit critical*data transmissions.
Brand: Bulova
Model: Accutron Spaceview
Functions: Three hand time only with super smooth orange sweeping seconds hand
Case: 38mm tonneau (cushion) case that is 14ct plated gold with stainless steel case back
Strap: Brand new, unworn 18mm brown genuine leather strap with matching gold pin and buckle
Features: There is no crown in the traditional 3:00 position. When the watch came out, it was far more accurate that a mechanical timepiece, so Bulova made a statement by moving the time-setting feature to the back, basically saying you won’t need to set the time after you set it initially. You lift a small lever, turn it to set the time, then press it back down. There is also a slight glow of lume still functioning, amazing considering the age.
Condition: Very good. Very light hairlines on the hesalite acrylic crystal with two slightly larger marks (tried to capture in pictures) which would easily buff out with polywatch. Three minor flea bites on the case, the only one that’s really visible is between the 9 and 10 hour markers, and a small mark on the case by the 3 marker. Trying to be as transparent and picky as possible, but this is in truly amazing condition for a 45 year old watch.
If you do your research on this model, you’ll see that lots of Accutrons are sold as Spaceviews but they are actually not a true Spaceview model, they are converted 214 models. The original Spaceview models command a premium, with some I see selling on auction sites/Chrono24/watchrecon for upwards of $900-1000 USD for an original example such as this.
Price: $600 CAD including shipping
Watch is located in Halifax, NS. Multiple great deals and references on CWC under my username.
Pictures taken today on my iPhone 5S. Can take additional pictures if desired.
View attachment 21178View attachment 21179View attachment 21180View attachment 21181
Here’s a chance to grab a piece of horological history. For sale is my original 1972 Bulova Accutron Spaceview. I am the second owner, purchased from the original owner who bought it 45 years ago.
History:
The 1960s saw Bulova’s most famous and influential contribution to the science of watchmaking — the*Bulova Accutron, the world’s first fully electronic watch. Rolled out under*worldwide scrutiny at the World’s Watchmaking Fair in Basel, Switzerland*(now called Baselworld)*in 1960, the watch incorporated a revolutionary new technology that utilized a 360-Herz tuning fork, powered by a one-transistor electronic oscillator,*to drive the timekeeping functions rather than a traditional balance wheel. The brainchild of Bulova engineer (and Basel native) Max Hetzel, this technology ensured an oscillation rate of 360 times per second*—*nearly 150 times faster than that*of a mechanical, balance-wheel-driven timepiece — and guaranteed an accuracy to just one minute per month. The Accutron was distinguished by its telltale humming instead of ticking, a sound generated by the vibrating tuning fork. The first Accutron model, called Spaceview 214 and featuring its now-famous open dial showing off the high-tech movement, also deviated from traditional wristwatch design with its lack of*setting stem and crown on the side of the watch; these elements were*instead*placed on the back of the case. The Accutron has been the cornerstone of Bulova’s portfolio ever since. In 2010, its 50th anniversary year, Bulova released a special, limited-edition replica of the Spaceview with a modern movement.
Bulova also lent its expertise to the U.S. government during the late-1960s Space Race with the Soviet Union. During its*decades-long partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bulova helped outfit numerous satellite missions with Accutron timekeeping technology, starting with the Vanguard 1 in 1958.*All timekeeping instruments, including instrument-panel clocks, aboard NASA’s*manned spacecraft missions leading up to and including the legendary first Moon Walk on July 21, 1969, were equipped with Bulova Accutron tuning fork technology. (At the time, even NASA scientists could not know how a mechanical timekeeper would function in low-gravity conditions.) Of course, watch history buffs are well aware that it was the Omega Speedmaster Professional (now appropriately nicknamed the Moonwatch) that won the right to be official NASA watch and hence the first watch worn on the moon during the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Fewer may realize that astronaut Buzz Aldrin also*placed a Bulova*Accutron timer in the Sea of Tranquility to help transmit critical*data transmissions.
Brand: Bulova
Model: Accutron Spaceview
Functions: Three hand time only with super smooth orange sweeping seconds hand
Case: 38mm tonneau (cushion) case that is 14ct plated gold with stainless steel case back
Strap: Brand new, unworn 18mm brown genuine leather strap with matching gold pin and buckle
Features: There is no crown in the traditional 3:00 position. When the watch came out, it was far more accurate that a mechanical timepiece, so Bulova made a statement by moving the time-setting feature to the back, basically saying you won’t need to set the time after you set it initially. You lift a small lever, turn it to set the time, then press it back down. There is also a slight glow of lume still functioning, amazing considering the age.
Condition: Very good. Very light hairlines on the hesalite acrylic crystal with two slightly larger marks (tried to capture in pictures) which would easily buff out with polywatch. Three minor flea bites on the case, the only one that’s really visible is between the 9 and 10 hour markers, and a small mark on the case by the 3 marker. Trying to be as transparent and picky as possible, but this is in truly amazing condition for a 45 year old watch.
If you do your research on this model, you’ll see that lots of Accutrons are sold as Spaceviews but they are actually not a true Spaceview model, they are converted 214 models. The original Spaceview models command a premium, with some I see selling on auction sites/Chrono24/watchrecon for upwards of $900-1000 USD for an original example such as this.
Price: $600 CAD including shipping
Watch is located in Halifax, NS. Multiple great deals and references on CWC under my username.
Pictures taken today on my iPhone 5S. Can take additional pictures if desired.
View attachment 21178View attachment 21179View attachment 21180View attachment 21181
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