This timepiece is a magnificent artifact from 1969, as confirmed by the "M9" date code on the caseback. The Accutron, reference 1-699089, is defined by its substantial stainless steel cushion case and a breathtaking deep matte black dial that features vibrant red-and-white accented baton indices at the cardinal positions. It is powered by the legendary Caliber 2182, a tuning fork movement that was the world's first fully electronic watch. Instead of a balance wheel, it uses a tiny tuning fork vibrating at 360 Hz, providing a seconds hand sweep so smooth it makes modern mechanical watches look staggered.
The aesthetic is quintessentially Space Age, utilizing a hidden crown at the 4 o'clock position to maintain a streamlined, aerodynamic silhouette. The dial is a masterclass in high-contrast design, featuring a dual Day-Date complication at 3 o'clock and the iconic tuning fork logo applied at 12. Flipping the watch over reveals the deeply engraved caseback with the serial number 1-699089, definitively confirming its authentic Swiss-made pedigree and its "Patented" status as a pioneer of electronic timing. This is an essential acquisition for an elite collector who appreciates pioneering electronic tech, the mechanical soul of the tuning fork, and the bold, industrial presence of a late-60s Bulova.
