When Bulova introduced the Accutron in 1960, it was cutting edge technology, electronic and capable of unprecedented consistent accuracy.
This example is a spaceview from1971. The spaceview has a clear dial so the inner (non)workings could be seen, this was so the wearer could show off his state of the art technology. Ironically, the Spaceview was never intended by Bulova to be sold; it was a salesman’s demonstration tool and a display model for jewelers. While Bulova used a solid gold Spaceview in an intensive advertising campaign for the new Accutron, they only expected to sell a few hundred, strictly to distributing jewelers for use as a merchandising display. However, many customers, seeing the watch in the window, wished to purchase it. Realizing that there was a consumer demand, Bulova came up with the name “Spaceview” and started manufacturing them in stainless steel and gold filled for retail sale. The popularity of the Spaceview is very high amongst collectors.
At the dawn of the space age, the Accutron was electronic and accurate.
It was marketed well and was well accepted.
The technology was clumsy but, somehow, functional and held it’s place in the market place until quartz technology took over in the late 70’s.