In the 1960s, Bulova revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the Accutron. This was the first fully-electronic watch in the world, utilizing a unique tuning fork mechanism. The Accutron’s “Open dial” design, which allowed customers to see the inner workings of the watch, also became a popular feature. The Accutron was not just a fashionable timepiece, but its technology also played a crucial role in the space industry. Its technology was specifically designed to meet the demands of high-speed flight and space travel, and was adopted by the US Air Force, CIA, and NASA.
The Accutron has also been extremely impactful across many different aspects of culture and business. It inspired similar transparency designs across different mediums, such as architecture or apparel. An example was the Nike Air Max shoe, which is a classic shoe that is considered a pioneer in the world of athletic footwear. The shoe was designed by Tinker Hatfield, who was inspired by the architecture of the Pompidou Center in Paris, which in turn was influenced by the Accutron. The Air Max 1 has been heavily referenced in pop culture and sneaker culture as a whole, which has made the shoe a must-have for sneaker enthusiasts.
