Pre-Owned Bulova Bulova Accutron Spaceview 14k Yellow Gold Spiral Lugs 40991720/AS09214

In 1960, Bulova had a vision of the future — and that future hummed with potential!

About a decade before the Quartz Crisis, Bulova introduced a watch that did away with the traditional balance wheel, instead using a 360-hertz tuning fork attached to a battery-powered transistor oscillator circuit as its heart.  Designed by Max Hetzel, the Accutron made waves, becoming the first wristwatch precise enough to be qualified for U.S. Railroad certification — guaranteed to be accurate to about one minute per month, or roughly 2 seconds per day.  

Originally designed to be a salesman's tool highlighting the inner mechanism of the Accutron movement, the Spaceview wasn't intended for retail purchase.  But the delight of seeing these inner workings displayed caused demand from retailers and consumers to spike; indeed, seemingly everyone wanted this openworked watch to wear and take home. Bulova responded, producing retail versions with the same unique characteristics of their display models.  

The Accutron Spaceview was unlike anything that came before, and really, anything since. In production for about 17 years, the tuning fork technology was eventually beaten out by quartz crystal movements, making these watches relatively short-lived. But they contain important and revolutionary technology that has had a tremendous impact on today's world.  

This particular timepiece dates back to the early 1960s and features a 14k solid yellow gold case with a distinctive set of sculpted ‘spiral’ lugs, and of course, an expansive, open dial with the Accutron Calibre 214 movement entirely in view. In wonderfully preserved condition throughout, this is a rare find in yellow gold, and is accompanied by a brown lizard strap and a signed 14k pin buckle.

No matter your taste, there's no denying that the Accutron Spaceview is an important part of horological history, and an incredible mid-century design object.

As for that humming? Hold this baby up to your ear and there’s no doubt you’ll be soothed by the tuning fork’s soundscape.

It’s music to our ears!