In 1962, Bulova introduced the Accutron Astronaut, based on the 214 movement that had a second time zone hour hand and hacking function, and a 24-hour rotating bezel. It was the only watch in the Accutron series that was based on the 214HN caliber, widely regarded by collectors to be the ultimate Accutron movement. Operationally, the second hour hand could not be set independently of the other hands, but instead relied on the owner turning the outer bezel to set the correct second time zone time.

The Accutron Astronaut was worn for the first time in space in 1963 during the Mercury-Atlas 9 mission. Astronaut Gordon Cooper was the pilot of the mission’s spacecraft, Faith 7, which completed 22 orbits around the Earth. Towards the end of his spaceflight, Cooper’s spacecraft encountered a series of mission-threatening technical problems. He would later credit the Accutron chronometer with helping to save his life, revealing that he had used his wristwatch to accurately time Faith 7’s re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

Lockheed’s A-12 aircraft, developed for CIA missions, traveled at three times the speed of sound. This was the first stealth airplane that could fly over 2,000 miles per hour and reach an altitude of 95,000 feet. The USAF X-15 experimental rocket powered aircraft flew at speeds of up to 4,520 miles per hour and could reach an altitude of over 250,000 feet. This qualified most of the pilots for astronaut wings since they met the criteria of a spaceflight. To this day, X-15 holds the record for the highest speed ever recorded by a crewed, powered aircraft.

Accutron Astronaut GMT Limited Edition

While the original Accutron Astronaut had a 38mm case, the current model features a slightly larger 41mm stainless steel case with a partial exhibition caseback. The bezel includes a distinctive day and night delineation with half the bezel, from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., in white and the other half in black. The black dial has high contrast indexes and a generous application of Super-LumiNova for low-light visibility.

The bracelet is based on the iconic 1964 JB Champion ‘Bullet-Link’ bracelet. Made for Bulova by J.B. Champion, the “bullet” bracelet complemented the conical lugs of the Astronaut. It featured polished sides that bevel inward and the surface with brushed finish. Vintage Accutrons were known for their quality bracelets.

Tribute to Legacy

Omega’s Speedmaster Professional is well known as the Moonwatch, but Accutron’s Astronaut has also earned its place in the history of space exploration, having been deployed in space missions as well as experimental hypersonic aircraft. “There is no denying the outstanding history of both Accutron and Bulova with the U.S. Space Program, says Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America. “The significance of the relationship and specifically the tuning fork technology led to the creation of the Accutron brand as the standalone brand it is today.” The vintage Astronaut “T” is a well-regarded timepiece with historical value, and this modern Astronaut GMT Limited Edition is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the space-age watch.

Tech Specs

Accutron Astronaut GMT Limited Edition

Movement: Self-winding caliber SW330 GMT; 56-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and GMT
Case: 41mm; stainless steel; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Black; Super-LumiNova hour markers
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
Price: USD 3,500
Availability: Limited edition of 300 pieces