“The Watch That Hums,” Accutron, was first produced in 1960. Dealers who offered the original Bulova Accutron electronic watch were given a showcase model with an open-worked dial. This allowed them to display the technology that was behind the dial. Because customers wanted to purchase this dial-less “showcase” model, Bulova began to produce it - naming it the Accutron Spaceview.

The most notable features of the Accutron were the smooth sweeping second hand and the high pitch hum of the tuning fork. The tuning fork base is at the 6:00 position and appears to be static (vibrating is not visible to the naked eye). It’s prongs (or tines) extend upward to the drive coils at the top. On the left is the cell coil assembly, where the battery goes. On the right are some wires, a transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor. There is no crown, as time-setting is performed at the case back.

Accutron’s precision was unparalleled with an accuracy of 1-minute per month (2 seconds per day). In fact, it was the first wristwatch that was accurate enough to qualify for official US Railroad use. Additionally, it was used in 46 NASA space missions and was even worn by American Astronauts on a mission to the moon.

Today, many brands produce “skeleton” or “dial-less” watches, but the Bulova Accutron Spaceview was well ahead of its time in 1960 with its style and its technology. In retrospect, Accutron represents a pioneering link between the first battery-powered electronic watch (Hamilton Ventura, 1957) and the first quartz watch (Seiko Quartz Astron, 1969). With the rise of quartz technology, its accuracy, and its affordability, Accutron watches ceased production in 1977.