Bulova Acutron Mantel Clock

This stylish mid century clock made by Bulova has their revolutionary Acutron movement that was developed for watches. Bulova's "Accutron" watches, first sold in October 1960, use a 360Hz tuning fork instead of a balance wheel as the timekeeping element. The inventor, Max Hetzel, was born in Basel Switzerland, and joined the Bulova Watch Company in 1948. The tuning fork was powered by a one-transistor electronic oscillator circuit, so the Accutron qualifies as the second "Electronic watch", following the Hamilton Electric released in 1957. Instead of the ticking sound made by mechanical watches, the Accutron had a faint, high-pitched hum which came from the vibrating tuning fork. A forerunner of modern quartz watches which also keep time with a vibrating resonator, the Accutron was guaranteed to be accurate to one minute per month, or two seconds per day, considerably better than mechanical movements of the time.

This unusual mechanism is also responsible for the pleasing sweep action of the seconds hand that enhances the hyper modernity of this futuristic design.

The case is made of a heavy high quality gilded brass that has been brushed matt and burnished in places, with a brushed steel dial and gilded numerals flanked by coppered panels with incised gun metal details. This clock comes complete with its original fitted case.

This clock is sold in full working order.

18cm H x 14 cm W x 5.5cm D