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The tuning fork component of an electronic wrist watch converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. The higher frequency of the tuning fork (360 Hz), compared to the mechanical watch (2 Hz) provided an accuracy never before achieved in a wrist watch. The tuning fork watch was invented by Max Hetzel in Switzerland while employed by the Bulova watch company. The first and most famous of these watches was the Bulova Accutron, though other brands followed with similar models. Five models of Accutron watches were produced until 1977. A battery provided the electrical power that excited the tuning fork with two wire coils. The magnetic fields generated by the coils kept the tuning fork humming at 360 beats per second. An indexing pin was attached to one arm of the tuning fork. The vibration of the tuning fork moved the indexing pin back and forth. The end of the indexing pin pushed a gear one tooth at a time, making it turn continuously in one direction. This gear powered the rest of the mechanical part of the movement. The escapement mechanism in a mechanical watch cycled at about two beats per second. The Accutron tuning fork cycled at 360 beats per second. This ultra-high frequency gave the Accutron an accuracy to within one minute per month, much better than an average mechanical watch accuracy of 1 to 3 minutes per day. Since the Accutron had a tuning fork instead of an escapement mechanism, it hummed instead of ticked. The humming was audible when the watch was pressed to the ear. While a mechanical watch's second hand would tick across the dial in small jerks, the high frequency of the Accutron made the second hand appear to sweep across the dial. Technical Information (Accutron)History
Power
Turning the wheel
Accuracy
Peculiarities
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