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The Bulova Accutron

Posted by michael on from the takes-a-licking-keeps-on-humming dept.

warewolfsmith writes "The Bulova Accutron. Introduced in 1961, it was the first successful transistorized watch, far more accurate than any other watch then on the market and a major advance in timekeeping technology. Prior to reading this article I had never heard of it. Interesting history." There are a number of websites devoted to it.

5 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Transistor history by Rachel+Ellis · · Score: 1, Informative

    Transistors have been around since the days of Henry Ford, so I find it hard to believe that 1961 was the year of the first transistor-filled watch.

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    26 year-old Web developer from Seattle. And yes, chicks do dig *nix ;)
    1. Re:Transistor history by sallen · · Score: 3, Informative
      Transistors have been around since the days of Henry Ford, so I find it hard to believe that 1961 was the year of the first transistor-filled watch.

      Maybe around since Henry Ford II, not the original. In the 50's the early computers still had tubes and I don't believe even a transistor radio was out until late 50's at the earliest.
      There may have been electric watches prior to the accurton (Hamilton, I recall had early ones), but not transistor filled. It wasn't much before that time that they were able to draw wire fine enough, for one thing, even for coils.

  2. Why are watches less accurate today? by mangu · · Score: 4, Informative

    Watches used to sail ships have been getting more and more accurate since the 1700's. And watches people carry with them have been getting more and more accurate since the 1700's, to the point that, for the last forty years, a person has been able to carry a watch precise enough for navigation. There is nothing ironic with that, one should not compare apples with oranges.

  3. WRONG: FYI it was an Omeg Speedmaster Professional by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Of whichI proudly wear on my wrist today.

    Here is a picture of it with Buzz Aldrin wearing it proudly

    http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/ap11an n/ kippsphotos/5390.jpg

  4. Hella Noisy... by Geiger581 · · Score: 2, Informative

    I was given my grandfather's old Accutron (a trend, it seems), and have really enjoyed it. The only thing that ever gets to me is the constant humming. It's a nice novelty to show others, but can get obnoxious in a quiet enough place. With music playing and fans in my computer spinning, it's virtually unnoticeable, but I honestly can't sleep with it sitting on top of my dresser. It spends the night in my sock drawer.
    Also, if you ever get one, pray that it never breaks. I had to have the coils replaced, and there is pretty much one guy on the continent who could fix it. Oh yeah, it scarfs down batteries pretty fast, too. All in all, though, a great watch to have.