Accutron’s 1960s Astronaut “T” Watch

A limited-edition watch that’s truly out of this world.

Accutron

Accutron debuted its latest “Astronaut T” watch, a limited-edition remake that is timelessly classic and elegant. This new luxury watch aimed to replicate the look of the crown-less, electric original but as a modern mechanical watch with a Sellita SW330 movement (electronic movement with a GMT function and 56-hour power reserve), featuring a dual time zone function. It also has got retro, remaining faithful to the 1968 Astronaut “T” design. 

First, it retains the same overall design, right down to the indices, luminescent markers, hands, and even the italicised inscriptions on the dial at six and 12 o’clock. Secondly, the bezel’s design is also included as a key element for the remake of the iconic Astronaut in 1968. This new feature is characterized by a day-night bezel, with double 12-hour scales, instead of the usual 24 hours found on ordinary GMT watches. Thirdly, the watch’s diameter increases from 28 mm to 41 mm, catering to modern tastes. According to the watchmaker brand, the new Astronaut “T” has got a black matte dial, which indices at hour makers with “super luminova boxes within the minute track,” while “Super luminova triangles indicating half hours are located between markers are and for alignment of the top ring with 24-hour time. 

Accutron
Accutron

“Accutron is proud to bring back the 1968 of the Astronaut model, featuring a distinctive DAY/NIGHT bezel as the brand’s re-edition in an exciting new series of Accutron Astronaut timepieces. The new Astronaut is Swiss made, available in 41mm stainless steel case with a matching bracelet, indlucing sapphire crystal, Super-LumiNova, and a partial exhibition case back powered by an SW330 GMT movement. Limited to only 300 pieces.” – From Accutron.

Accutron

Back in history, in 1962, Bulova introduced the Accutron Astron to the world. It was based on 214 movements, which had a second time zone hour hand and hacking function and a 24-hour rotating bezel. The second-hour hand could not be set independently of the other hands. The owner had to turn the outer bezel to set to correct the second time zone. Then, they started creating ties with the NASA program and saw the possibility of contributing to 46 space missions. As a result, the watchmaker brand provided the NASA program with The Accutron Astronaut, first worn in space in 1963 during the Mercury-Atlas 9 mission.

“Offering the world’s first electronic watch in 1960, Accutron changed the way the world told time with the most accurate timekeeping mechanism ever created and the first personal timekeeping advancement seen in 300 years, thanks to the Swiss engineer Max Hetzel. Ruling the watch world then, its foundational technology became an integral component of America’s space program, with its participation in 46 NASA missions.” – From Accutron.

Limited to 330 pieces, the retail price of the latest Accutron Astronaut “T” is $3,500, similar to the Tudor Black Bay Pro price.