A truly remarkable piece of technology (Score 1)

This watch was not only the first transistorized watch, but actually the first consumer device period that used a transistor. It was the result of years of innovation at Bulova, and it's ironic that its success led to Bulova's resistance to quartz movements in the 1970's. Bulova had too much invested in Accutron technology to acknowledge the superior quartz movement, and missed the boat by years. Their market share has never recovered from that, and their brand prestige now (to people my age, for instance, since i'm 23) is practically nonexistant.

I own an Accutron that my great-grandfather bought in 1962, and they are difficult to get repaired now. In addition, the mercury coin-cell batteries used in them are now verboten due to strict environmental regulations; many of the watches require special adapters/adjustments to use modern silver oxide batteries.