The watch
Back when science was sexy, Bulova challenged all of Switzerland with a tuning fork and some satellite-tech based advertising. The Bulova Accutron was undeniably one of the most precise and innovative movement technologies around. That technology created an aesthetic unlike anything else.
In retrospect, “The Watch That Hums” represented a pioneering link between the first battery-powered watches and the eventual tsunami of inexpensive quartz watches. Introduced in 1960, the Bulova Accutron looked, sounded, and functioned unlike any other watch. It was incredibly accurate, using a tuning fork that accounted for the humming referenced in the brand’s slogan. In its most interesting form, called the Spaceview, it also happens to visually represent the experimental, space-age mindset of the era.
Bulova didn’t initially intend to make the Spaceview. The first Accutron models, released in 1960, had traditional watch dials, and it was the highly accurate, groundbreaking technology inside that was the selling point — but this can be difficult to explain to consumers. Most people had only ever seen mechanical watches before, so a display model was sent to retailers that replaced the dial with a raw view of its electronic innards.
Then, retailers were calling Bulova to say that people wanted the display model. Thus the Spaceview was born — at least, that’s how the story goes.
Specific Information
Object nr: 293
Maker: Bulova
Reference: 207807 N2
Model: Spaceview
Year: 1972
Movement: cal. 214
Material: Steel
Original crown: Yes (the ”crown” is on the caseback)
Dimensions: 38 mm excl crown.
Strap/Bracelet: A mesh bracelet and a leather strap is included.
Lug Width: 20mm
Box/Papers: Yes/No. The original box is included and is in pretty good condition even if it got some signs of use.
Serviced: Service history is unknown but the watch got a new battery in August.
The Condition
A majority of 214 Accutrons featured a more traditional round, bezel-less, tapered lug 34mm case. This latter production version is cased in a slightly rarer 39mm steel cushion case. The case got some signs from use but is still sharp with visible bevels. The tritium hands is intact and the dial is perfect. The crystal (plexiglas) got some small signs of wear but no deep dings.
Sold ”as is”!
The pictures is a part of the description, study therefore the pictures carefully!