'Hummers' Are INCREDIBLE! 360 Ticks PER SECOND & 'Spring Drive’ Smooth!
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- In this video I talk about the Bulova Accutron and The Citizen Hisonic watches and how they compare to the newer Grand Seiko Spring Drive Movements.
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Gary
I Like Watches
I've got two Accutrons. One that was my grandfather's that is from 1964 and my Dad's from 1975. Both are beautiful watches. It was the audible hum that makes me love them. When I was a kid I used to hold them up to my ear to hear them sing. I still do now that they are mine.
Lots of comments, collectors are passionate about their Accutrons and they’re super affordable and really remarkable bits of technology. I own 3 and love the look of that clean, smooth sweep, the sound is really negligible and you don’t notice it after a day.
Great video, but your dates seem to be a little off. Max Hentzel was hired by Bulova in 1950, and the tuning fork mechanism was patented in 1953.The first Bulova Accutron watches were introduced in 1960 (I have one from 1966), and ran through the 60s and 70s, ending production in 1977.
Apologies, I may look it but I wasn’t around then and I used dates found online so I’m relying on dates provided by others
No worries, great video otherwise, and nice macro shots of the mechanism running!@@ilikewatches
The 214 accutron came to market in 1961 through to 1977, i have a 1967 astronaut and a 64 space view, the astronaut was taken on as the official watch of the CIA spy plane program and also used for the gemini space program as it could withstand the g forces and heat, the movements were not only used by Citizen but also Omega. In my opinion if this came fresh onto the market today produced by a big name company it would sell like hot cakes, as for the hum, i like it and wear mine to bed often its like listening to sound from the past and not that loud really
I have an Accutron Spaceview and a Longines with a licensed tuning fork movement. The movement has a rather large place in American history. Astronaut’s wore Omega on wrist but the spacecraft all relied on tuning forks. Also, the move was put in a watch called the Astronaut and put on the wrist of SR-71 Blackbird pilots. At that time, if you were a government entity in need of an accurate watch that could stand up to vibration and temperature extremes, a tuning fork was probably used. That government use made them even more popular on the civilian side of the watch market.
The first tuning fork watch was released in 1960!
Bulova started Accutrons started being sold in 1960, and lasted to 1978-79 and were then renamed accuquartz for the last few years before going quartz.
Yeah, I got my dates a little mixed up 🤦🏻♂️
I used to have an omega constellation with the electronic movement. Left it with a watchmaker for service and he went out of business while I was out of town for two months. I was never able to find him 😢
The first Spaceview watches were conversion kit demo models. They had hour and minute indicators painted on the underside of the acrylic crystals. Later Spaceview models had real chapter rings and were designed that way.
Even more awesome is the Accutron 214 movement. Instead of a crown protruding out of the side, the setting key is integrated into the case back, next to the battery hatch.
Fascinating! Thanks, Gary, for opening these new windows!
I have a feeling that in the 70’s people were probably more used to a ‘sweeping’ seconds hand due to the proliferation of Automatic watches. Sure, not as smooth as the Accutron movement, but sweeping non the less.
Ironically it would have been the introduction of Quartz with the Ticking seconds hand that was something they’d never seen before!
It’s only with our present-day experience that we look negatively at the ticking Quartz hand… At the time it would have been a very different marvel, contrary to the the sweep with which people were familiar.
I was thinking the exact same thing.
I distinctly remember as a kid in the eighties seeing "Seiko Quartz" commercials that zoomed in on that second hand, precisely ticking once, and only once, each second. They definitely made it a selling point.
The whole "one tick per second thing" is not a new thing in horology. Dead-beat seconds have been around since like the 1700s. Certainly it wasn't common per se, but it existed.
i have an Omega Electronic f300Hz tuning fork watch….and im loving it…
These are great watches, especially for the price. I built up a small collection of very early quartz watches(when they cost buttons, even though they were top of the tree very expensive watches when new)and before Girard Perregaux brought out a stepping motor for the Swiss(Seiko's Astron had one)they also used variations on the tuning fork theme. The weirdest of all was Longines' Ultra-Quartz(google the movement and you'll understand). Few running ones survive as they were _very_ delicate, but my one doesn't just hum it _buzzes_ You can actually feel it on the wrist. On a nightstand it would wake the dead. 😄
Interestingly as quartz movements started to take over Bulova circa '72 to get in on the action as economically as possible adapted one of their tuning fork movements by putting in a quartz module in place of the old circuit board and used the tuning fork to drive the hands and called it the Accuquartz. funny enough they aren't nearly as loud for some reason. They're quieter than the Longines Ultronics I have. They ran an updated Swiss(ESA 9162 movement) version of the Accutron principle(under licence). They're of higher quality, but are more expensive than Accutrons.
Still have my high school graduation present from my parents. A 1968 Bulova Acutron
Sweet!
Fascinating! I love this look at unusual/historical movements. So interesting! Brilliant macro shots too. So cool
Thanks buddy
I have a Bulova that my uncle got me from Hong Kong, with this movement in it. It’s a Homage to the Rolex president. Bulova on the gold face, with the tuning fork above the name, Bulova tuning fork on the crown, as well as on the bottom of the bracelet to open. President bracelet, gold plated, as well as the whole watch, except for the back steel on back. He got it for me in 1982, unfortunately now they are out of production. But I still have it still to this day! Cool piece, Matt👍😃
Got an omega electronic, find it very soothing listening to it, sounds like a mini plant room.
Only issue is batteries as new ones are slightly different output but still cool to wear.
I gifted myself an Accutron model 218 in 1974 for my 30th birthday. I gave $110 for it. Fifty years later at age 80, my Accutron is in pristine condition and is worn only on special occasions. I have since added a model 215, RR grade watch which is worn more frequently.
This was absolutely fascinating. Especially the shots inside the watch.
Glad you enjoyed it!
These are so cool! I have to get that green one now.
The late, and very famous, acoustic guitar monster, Tony Rice was a fanatic about the space watches. He restored them in his home.
Very nice video! I loved the back round story and your review.
I can see your editings by the second hand of the clock on the wall. Nice video ! Thanks.
I have two of the 10 K gold Accutrons. One was my Dads, and the other my grandfathers. Both have the time setting folding handle on the case back. One has to get the exact right voltage battery for these, or it will run a little fast. The proper volt battery isn’t readily available, but must be ordered as I remember. These are quite attractive, but finicky. The domed crystal and thickness are slightly vintage. They will stop at times due to the battery becoming unseated if you bang them, so they are not good as a daily wearer, rather a conversation piece around the house. Cheers!
Hi. Really? Maybe you are not using the correct battery. I have 3 accutron and 2 hi sonic and they use different batteriew depending if they had been converted to a different voltage. Those that are not converted (used to function with a discontinued batt of 1.3v), now have a silicon converter ring to ensure the smaller "sr" batt available on the market sits in place. A cheap silicon ring you might get. (The one that has been converted use a bigger sw1130sr battery that sits perfectly in place). Sorry, for not been able to share pics.
Aside from the innovation aspect these watches are really good looking.
The case design is really nice.
I remember looking into these many years ago and if memory serves me, i think that one of the issues is that finding a qualified person for servicing and repairs was very difficult.and even if you found such a person the lineup was very long. At least that is what i think i remember. It was a long time ago.
Thanks for this video, Gary. I have 3 accutron and 2 hi sonic. Amazing technology! Do they humm? Sometimes when I walk close to my wardrobe with all 5 hummers packed together thight in their boxes, the wardrobe humms 😂.The wood wardobe seems to works as a resonance box and my wife asks me what do I have in there❤. Nothing that cannot be fixed by loosening the straps...or putting some socks between the boxes 😅
I hadn’t heard about this horological connection between Bulova and Citizen. Thank you for that.
Even closer now, Citizen group owns Bulova
@@tomholloway7566 Correct; I was aware. Thank you.
Wow, that is amazing. Didn't know about this! Fascinating! 😊
Cool glad you liked it!
Thank you for sharing! Nice info. 😊
Google says the first tuning fork watch was by Bulova in 1960. I've been looking for my birth year of 1965 for the last few years, but they seem to fetch very strong money.
I had the same wish Nite-owl, After much searching over three years I found a mint 'Spaceview' from 1965. On the back look for an M5 marking, this denotes the year 1965. Good luck with your quest, they're not cheap but they're out there.
Thank you so much Gary for this amazingly instructive video! I'm glad these spring fork watches are making a comeback! I'm debating on getting one, but I don't know how I can cover it on the channel, you've pretty much said everything there is to say 👍
Not been able to stretch the budget to a spaceview but did recently win a day date accutron with a cheeky last minute eBay bid. Need to be careful about leaving it on some hard surfaces as the hum gets amplified and sounds like tinnitus!
Cool watches 👍 thanks for the video
I really like watches with the crown at the 4 O'clock position. at the 3 O'clock position digs into the back of my hand.
First sold in 1960, not 1970… just as an FYI.
I think that's the beauty of the mechanism employed on some Bulovas that detaches the 'crown' and isolates the mechanism from the case damping some of the humming sound. A traditional crown transfers the vibrations directly to the watch case.
Does anyone know if only the gx cosmotrons have these movements or if all cosmotrons have them? Finding a lot of x8 but no gx
Woah, these are brilliant
Very nice Gary😎👍
Thank you
I certainly can’t sleep near one although it may depend on the watch as to how noisy they are
citizen please bring back this cosmotron + eco drive.
I would love one of these. Hope I win one.
Amazing! Also curious about how did seiko make the 5S21 and 5s42
That green dial is stunning! What is the model number on that?
I have two acutrons in my to do draw… not sure if I’ll attack them myself or send them away?
I had about 20 Hummers a few year ago now only have two now an Omega and a Bulova, spares are the problem now, great Watches.
is the humming louder than a Timex's ticking?
Nah, you end up tuning it out once you're used to it. Sounds like there's an air conditioning unit 60m away
Yes, it’s high pitch makes it quite audibe
i own 4 Accutrons and am wearing one right now. The only way to hear the hum is to touch the watch against your ear. Even holding it 1 inch / 25 mm from my ear i can’t hear it, it actually has to touch.
I also own an accutron and can only hear it when close to my ear.
It depends, I have an Accutron Spaceview tuning fork and if I have it on a surface that can vibrate, like a watch stand, it will hum quite audibly. Laying on a cloth on top of my watch box and I can't hear it at all.
great info
You forgot to mention battery life, I heard they're relatively short from Mark at Long Island Watch and Urban Gentry on an episode awhile back. I don't mind much as I just ordered a Chameri with the Seiko VH31 Quartz @ 4 Beats per second and a two year battery life. Would love to see you do a review on the Chameri.
Interesting and cool. 👍 My gf knows nothing about watches but I'm going to ask her for one anyway 😁
Lol
Hummers are overrated. More of a psychological thing.
@scwarzewaffe85 Works for me....like a 60s Timex slogan. IYKYK
Accutron was introduced and were on sale in 1960 not 1971.
Yup, got my decades mixed up
Is this one for sale. Or has it gone already. Love the channel. Lawrence
sold already....got to be quick to get them
The accutron electrostatic watch can also recharge the battery, with accutron claiming it lasts up to a decade( pls correct me if im wrong) does the citizen also have this? Or does it require more frequent battery changes?
Bulova licenced to ETA also. I have an Omega and an Eterna. Omega also made an f720 moment which (I think) used twice the frequency of the Bulova movement. Do those Citizens use a 1.3v battery? Or 1.5v?
Hey Gary, have you seen the Bulova moon view, a modern take on the Bulova astronaut, its a beautiful watch but in my view Bulova missed the boat they should have made it with a rotating bezel and a GMT movement, that would have been a winner
I’ll take a look!
I had a Hummer Gary, but found it impossible to park
Lol
I can tell you've owned a tuning fork watch for less than 6 months, because the most annoying part is not the sound, rather the ravenous battery consumption! Modern non-mercury batteries don't really cut it for these watches.
All TF watches should go at least a year between battery changes. Any less and it'll be dirty or out of phase. It'll need a service. Microamps consumption is monitored while adjusting the pawls/ fingers to the correct phase during a service using a special tester called an 'Accutest'.
Yes please, I would like to see a video on setting the day and date.
Very nice! How serviceable are tuning fork movements compared to normal mechanical movements?
They are very serviceable although they are usually done by specialists….there is a guy in the U.K. that does them and only them
@@ilikewatches does he also sell them on Ebay, because I might've bought mine from him and its a cracker
Not aware that he does but would make sense for sure
I...i think i may be smitten❤
Excelente estimado maravillosos relojes. Con relación a la pila sabes cuál es y que duración tiene? Saludos 👍
Hi, I don’t actually, that’s a good question, sorry I don’t have the answer
Educational
Do you think they will use this technology again maybe?
No, no need sadly
Even in 2023, there aren't many manufacturers who could even manufacture those amazing index wheels.
Glad you’ve found Accutrons. Guys, always buy original 1960s/70s Accutrons, don’t buy the rubbish put in the last few years (wrong movement, far too expensive).
Also, the crown should really be on the back case for a proper 60s (214) Accutron.
Gary, what's the battery life on a hummer? Can imagine it's going to be shorter than the average quartz
I believe so yes
I have an Omega Speedsonic with the ESA 9162 movement (300Hz), and the battery lasts around 15 months.
My hi sonic using a sw1130sr batteries around 2 years.
not a hummer but a seiko 5s42 is alsa could be mentioned here
What is this model number?
Not sure, I’ll take a look and try to remember to come back to you
I sleep with three hummers 12 inches away from my head. They NEVER keep me awake. My wife doesn't even hear them. I'd suggest that you overstate the "noise pollution".
I’d suggest you’re def
As someone else already said, I was facinated by my father's 218 Accutron's humming. I still have it and it humms but does not move. I still hope to make it work again. Regards Gary
I wouldn't mind getting a hummer
for every time the 70s is mentioned insert 60s
the first accutron was 1960 BTW not 1971
The smooth sweep of a second hand can be mesmerizing but it isn't my main concern. The overall look of the watch is much more important to me.
I have owned one. I have never heard them referred to as "Hummers." LOL must be a cultural thing.
Last birthday I asked my wife for a hummer. Oh, well... maybe this Christmas
Great fucking video man
Thanks!
@@ilikewatches thank you!
“Hummers” has a sexual meaning in the US 😂😂😂😂
Lol
Wow, 360 ticks per second! Can slow motion even record the ticking movement? Some people may be super sensitive to that hum!
Some cameras can, not mine sadly
Thank you professor. 1. you help me to keep up with my English skill ; 2. you help me to increase my knowledge in horology. The best I can humbly do to help you out is to make you know by my acquaintances and friends. Merci Gary ! nota bene : I'ld like if you could make one day a video about automatic watches who only have an hour and a minute hand. I still don't get it. You can't see a nice sweeping second hand. I knew someone who had a Patek Philippe with those features. It's probably me, froggie, who is retarded. Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Take care !
Maybe if you put those watches down instead of holding them, we could see it clearly.
These are cool until they break down and realize most watchmakers don't know how to work on them or straight up don't want too lol.
I had an Omega f720 Hz Megasonic that randomly stooped working and that was it for it. Couldn't get it fixed not even by Omega.
If someone is considering these tuning fork watches, they should stick to the Bulova Accutron as parts are widely available still and there's a few guys working on those to this day.
What guy doesn't love a good hummer?
Your info is off by about a decade.
200 isnt aliexpress money lol
San Martin, Sugess, Heimdallr, Cronos, Sea-Gull sell watches for $200
You right! Not anymore as all good ones are way above 200 $/£/€ mark.
@@ilikewatches Yes, and aliexpress has how many other brands selling for lower? when someones saying aliexpress money it's like 100 and below lol
I think AliExpress money is anything up to $250
@@ilikewatches that's just entry watches
You really should do more research before posting videos,Bulova released the accutron in October 1960 and you need to hold the watch against your ear to hear the tuning fork, the citizen must be much louder than the accutron.
I did the research just said the wrong years…unscripted videos so maybe I should script them from now on for videos like this
You can totally hear a Bulova watch if you rest it on something that can vibrate
@@Horizontalvertigo I always put my watches back in the display case after wearing them, but I've just tried putting my accutron on the bedside table and you would have to be a bat to hear it!
@@jerrytaylor78 I have a watch stand, and it resonated with it when on a bracelet. Now it sits on a cloth on top of my winder
I like your videos but for the love of Og please stop shaking the watches while you're talking! I'm getting seasick.
Lol
No matter how you praise it, so-called watch enthusiast wont take seriously anything with a battery in it.
Then you’re not an enthusiast.
Not for me. I have very sensitive ears. I even can’t place my Aqua terra on my nightstand, because I hear it as a high zooming noise.
Definitely click bait!!!
What? Why?
Or is it Tick bait?
What was the bait?