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The Bulova Accutron Spaceview requires no introduction to the Vintage Tuning Fork Enthusiast but for those that don't know let's rewind it back.
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The Accutron Tuning Fork electric watch, first introduced for sale in 1959, is one of its most iconic and highly sought after models. The Accutron was ahead of its time in both design and technology. The electric watch had only been released to the retail market a couple of years earlier in 1957 (by Hamilton). With many Accutron variants produced, the futuristic Spaceview model is probably the most collectable of all Accutron watches.
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The Spaceview was introduced to the market by pure accident. It is said that in 1959, Bulova provided their dealers with watches with the dials removed, a bespoke a printed crystal and white hands to display the tuning fork mechanism and the green coloured circuitry inside the watch.
These converted watches were purely display products, to show the new innovative technology. To convey a sense of excitement about these new watches, Bulova linked the new technology to the US space programme, hence the name "Spaceview. The advertising worked, but not as intended by Bulova. People loved the Spaceview display model and wanted to buy them. So dealers sold their display models and they flew off the shelves. As a result Bulova added the Spaceview to its range of Accutron models a year later in 1960. Today Spaceviews remain the most sought after of all the Accutron range.
The Specs
Age: c.1966.
Movement: Electronic Tuning Fork with Sweep Seconds.
Calibre: 214.
Dial: What Dial?
Crystal: Original Signed Accutron crystal.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Very Clean Example.
- Nice aging to hands.
- Fully Serviced Tuning Fork Movement.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Some minor age related scratches and dings to the Case.
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Overall the Spaceview is in very nice Vintage condition.