Well it’s been quite a while since we gave a watch away here on The Watch Lounge, and so we’re here to make amends. Just in time for Christmas we have this rather unique, vintage Bulova Accutron from around 1970 to give away to one lucky reader! Donated from the personal collection of our good friend Maximilian Büsser (co-founder and creative director of MB&F), the Accutron has attracted a cult following thanks to its bold design and (brief) technical superiority, which was considered by many to be revolutionary at the time.
The Bulova Accutron
Enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike will no doubt already be familiar with the Accutron’s interesting history, but for those of you who are perhaps not as well versed in this area, allow us to fill you in on the significance of this piece.
According to Accutron expert Martin Marcus, before the introduction of this amazing timepiece, the method of keeping time mechanically had not really changed since the invention of the balance wheel and escapement, over 300 years ago. Suddenly, at the end of 1960, a timepiece went on the market which separated every second into 360 equal parts. The new technology was inherently accurate and made the use of escapements and balance wheels unnecessary.
Even more incredible is the fact that there are only 12 moving parts in an Accutron 214 movement. The very finest of today’s chronometers can have hundreds of moving parts and yet, their balance wheels still can’t break a second into more than 8 parts.
Marcus goes on to say that the single, most important distinguishing feature of early Accutrons (1960 to 1977) is that they do not tick. If you’re lucky enough to win our competition you will be able to hold your prize up to you ear and listen to the distinctive hum of the electronically driven tuning fork that powers the Accutron movement. The conversion from vibratory to rotary motion is so smooth that the second hand appears to move continuously.
On the caseback you will discover that the 214 is the only caliber that sets by lifting a spring loaded “C” shaped lever on the back of the case, and it’s also the only Accutron that has a battery hatch on the back cover that unscrews to access the battery compartment. It was the first of its kind and collectors consider them to be “First Edition” Accutrons.
As we mentioned before the piece we have to give away is from Maximilian Büsser’s personal collection, which in our eyes make it even more special. According to Max, even though the Accutron is not a mechanical timepiece, it still embodies many creative values that are cherished at MB&F.
Unfortunately the strap is not authentic, having been replaced (along with the crystal) sometime in the last 40 years, however, in our eyes the unique heritage and origin of this piece renders it invaluable. And really, how many people do you know that can say they own a timepiece that provided inspiration for creative genius Maximilian Büsser and his team?
How To Enter
Entry is a very easy two-step process:
1.) ‘Like’ The Watch Lounge’s Facebook page (just click on the little box to the right of this screen); and
2.) Follow us on Twitter (@thewatchlounge) and re-tweet the following phrase: “I just entered for my chance to win a cool vintage watch from @thewatchlounge, have you entered yet?”.
And that’s it!
If you feel so inclined you can also leave us a comment to let us know how you feel about the watch and the competition, we’d love to hear from you!
The competition is open to everyone, no matter where you might be in the world and the winner will be drawn randomly and announced on our Twitter feed and our Facebook page on the 15th of December, 2010.
Good luck and thanks again for all your support, without you what we’re trying to do wouldn’t be possible!
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