Bulova 'Accutron' tuning-fork wristwatch with 'Spaceview' transparent dial.

The Bulova 'Accutron' was the first electronic watch ever made (and the first watch not to use a balance as the timing element). It is controlled by a tiny tuning-fork vibrating 360 times per second, maintained by a transistorised electronic circuit and a battery lasting about a year.

In 1964 the Accutron was chosen to be buried in a 5000-year time capsule on the grounds of the New York World's Fair as an example of one of the most innovative objects invented in the preceding 25 years.

The 'Spaceview' versions, so named because the movement is visible through a transparent dial, were originally a marketing device to demonstrate the watch to customers, later becoming so popular Bulova manufactured them for sale.

This watch was kindly donated to the National Maritime Museum in 2005 by Mr H. R. Munden.