Bulova Accutron Alpha  from 1960

i have for sale something very special which i am only selling to fund my forthcoming MIH..

this watch is a Bulova Accutron tuning fork from 1960. the model is called the 'Alpha' and uses the original 214 calibre movement. it is made in solid 14kt gold and the hands are set from the rear.

steel Accutrons normally sell for pennies, but this particular watch is a bit special. the dial design on this watch was only used twice by Bulova. on the first production run and on one of the last 214 calibre runs in 1969. this dates from 1960 (using the Bulova Letter and number code. M0=1960, M9=1969, N0=1970 etc) and is from the first production run. this makes it one of the first accutrons ever made!!!

it is in superb condition with no faults and only very light scratches on the back from a bad battery change a long time ago. a new battery will be fitted before dispatch. it runs perfectly on readily available 1.5v batteries having been converted from the 1.35v mercury batteries a number of years ago. the gold shines nicely and it looks superb on the wrist. it is not a big watch, but still looks good. it comes on a non original brown croc strap and gilt buckle. an original Bulova watch box is included. the pics do not give full justice to the condition of the watch.

for those not in the know, the Bulova Accutron was the first non mechanical battery powered watch which uses a resonator to power the movement and hands. IT IS NOT A QUARTZ WATCH!!! the resonator gives out a pleasant hum and is shaped like a tuning fork hence the name.

the Accutron proved to be so accurate that the clock version was used in the Apollo command module and Concordes flight deck. it is also the only watch to have a true sweep second hand as it runs at 300hz

due to it being one of the first and the gold case i am asking £500 which is not much for such an historic piece.