Accutron Just Revived the Tuning Fork Movement That Changed Watchmaking Forever

When Bulova launched the original Accutron Spaceview in 1960, it created the first fully electronic timepiece and essentially invented modern precision horology overnight. 

Since being relaunched as a standalone brand 5 years ago, Accutron has paid homage to its heritage on occasion with models like the Spaceview 2020, which utilized a modern proprietary electrostatic movement. However, purists will note that, while inspired, these did not feature the traditional tuning fork mechanism as it would’ve had in the ‘60s. 

That’s all changed now with the debut of the Spaceview 314, a revival of the original tuning fork movement, but with a few modern updates.

The Movement That Hummed Its Way Into History

The original Accutron story reads like science fiction. Max Hetzel’s tuning fork movement vibrated at 360Hz, producing a distinctive F-sharp hum while delivering accuracy within seconds per day, which was unprecedented for its time. NASA used these movements in spacecraft instrumentation, pilots relied on them in cockpits, and suddenly everyone wanted that smooth sweeping second hand that looked more like science than traditional watchmaking.

Welcomed Updates

As it pertains to the 314, Accutron spent a decade reverse-engineering and improving upon their own creation, while still retaining the overall tuning fork concept. This time, they’ve relocated the index wheel from the caseback to the dial side and increased its diameter, which means even smoother hand movement than the original. The capacitors and wiring that once looked like a Doc Brown experiment are now properly secured and organized on those signature green movement plates.

Where vintage Accutrons felt almost industrial in their exposed (you might now call it “skeletonized”) mechanics, the 314 features proper perlage and Geneva stripes on the caseback, plus vertically brushed bridgework. It’s still unmistakably a tuning fork movement, but one that’s been refined for 2025.

Moving the crown from the caseback to 4 o’clock was probably inevitable given the new exhibition caseback, though fans and collectors might lament the quirky setting ritual of the original. The trade-off seems worth it though, since you can now actually watch the tuning fork operate through sapphire instead of just hearing it hum.

You Get Some Options Too

For the 314, Accutron gives us some case options, from stainless steel to grade 5 titanium, and even to solid 18k yellow gold, each with matching dial elements. The steel version gets a silver chapter ring, while titanium goes with champagne and gold opts for a full open-worked dial. 

For the straps, leather seems to be your only stock option, but with color variants. The steel case offers either black or Saddle Italian leather, the titanium comes with blue Italian leather, and the gold comes with brown Italian leather.

The Rest of the Specs

The 39mm case diameter nails the balancing act of modern and vintage proportions, especially with a wearable thickness that varies from 13.25mm to 13.4mm, depending on the case material. Water resistance is merely splash-resistant at 30m, which is to be expected for an unorthodox design such as this.

Not exactly limited to an edition size, but more due to the complexity of production. Each movement requires hand assembly, and the specialized manufacturing needed for tuning fork technology isn’t exactly scalable. 

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Launching in late 2025 from Accutron’s website, the Spaceview 314 will range in price, with the steel version starting at $5,990, titanium at $6,200, and 18k gold reaching $31,500.

Recap

Accutron Spaceview 314 Tuning Fork

After releasing homages over the past five years, Accutron has finally revived its iconic tuning fork, the first-ever electronic movement when it debuted in the ’60s. Housed in three case materials, the in-house caliber comes with a few welcomed modern tweaks.

Learn More: Accutron