Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
WatchesFeb 24, 2021
Accutron Revives a Vintage Classic Loved by ‘The King’
Elvis Presley wore the original version, which the watchmaker has acquired.
Pictured at left is the new Accutron 521. At right is one of the original versions, this one owned by Elvis Presley.
New York—There’s always a demand for vintage timepieces, so Accutron is bringing back one of its most beloved editions.
Part of the Accutron Legacy Collection, which features reissues of some of Accutron’s most popular and memorable styles from the 1960s and 1970s, the Accutron 521 timepiece originally debuted in 1960.
According to the watchmaker, Elvis Presley owned one of the originals, which it has now acquired.
The offset, asymmetrical design made it unique in the marketplace when it debuted. The original was rendered in a 14-karat gold-filled case with mineral glass crystal and a snap-on case back.
Now, the new Accutron 521 recreates the original with the same asymmetrical case design, crown placement near 3 o’clock and 32.8 millimeter by 32.55 millimeter case, which Accutron noted makes it ideal as a unisex piece.
The new edition has a gold-tone stainless steel case with a mesh-style bracelet with double-press deployant closure. The three-hand silverish white dial features double-stick hour markers.
It utilizes the Swiss-made 26-jewel movement and is water-resistant to 30 meters.
A second model offers another bracelet option, with a brown lizard-embossed leather strap, also with double-press deployant buckle closure.
Each model is limited to 600 pieces. The mesh-style bracelet sells for $1,550, while the leather bracelet version costs $1,450.
Jeffrey Cohen, president of Citizen Watch America, which owns Accutron, noted the timepiece’s historic significance in relation to “The King of Rock’n’roll.”
“We are honored to bring back the iconic 521 timepiece and even more humbled to have acquired the original to draw inspiration from and to house within our historical archive,” he said.
“Accutron has a significant history in technology and design so it wasn’t a surprise to learn of icons during that time who appreciated the brand.”
Part of the Accutron Legacy Collection, which features reissues of some of Accutron’s most popular and memorable styles from the 1960s and 1970s, the Accutron 521 timepiece originally debuted in 1960.
According to the watchmaker, Elvis Presley owned one of the originals, which it has now acquired.
The offset, asymmetrical design made it unique in the marketplace when it debuted. The original was rendered in a 14-karat gold-filled case with mineral glass crystal and a snap-on case back.
Now, the new Accutron 521 recreates the original with the same asymmetrical case design, crown placement near 3 o’clock and 32.8 millimeter by 32.55 millimeter case, which Accutron noted makes it ideal as a unisex piece.
The new edition has a gold-tone stainless steel case with a mesh-style bracelet with double-press deployant closure. The three-hand silverish white dial features double-stick hour markers.
It utilizes the Swiss-made 26-jewel movement and is water-resistant to 30 meters.
A second model offers another bracelet option, with a brown lizard-embossed leather strap, also with double-press deployant buckle closure.
Each model is limited to 600 pieces. The mesh-style bracelet sells for $1,550, while the leather bracelet version costs $1,450.
Jeffrey Cohen, president of Citizen Watch America, which owns Accutron, noted the timepiece’s historic significance in relation to “The King of Rock’n’roll.”
“We are honored to bring back the iconic 521 timepiece and even more humbled to have acquired the original to draw inspiration from and to house within our historical archive,” he said.
“Accutron has a significant history in technology and design so it wasn’t a surprise to learn of icons during that time who appreciated the brand.”
More on Watches
The Latest
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Hancocks London Acquires Historic ‘Inchiquin’ EmeraldThe jewel, circa 1890, is from the late Victorian era and was owned by descendants of the last high king of Ireland.
Events & AwardsMay 18, 2026
Here Are the 2026 JCK Industry Fund Grant Recipients This is what the nine recipients plan to do with the funds.
AuctionsMay 15, 2026
American Collector Ponies Up Almost $17K for John Wayne’s RingThe Western star’s 14-karat gold signet ring sold for six times its low estimate following a bidding war at U.K. auction house Elmwood’s.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2026
JA, MJSA To Sponsor Roundtable at TJSThe discussion, "Rebuilding the Jewelry Workforce," will take place on Saturday, May 16, in Troy, Michigan.
SourcingMay 15, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsMay 14, 2026
White Diamonds Lead Sotheby’s Auction, Blue Diamond Does Not SellA matching pair of 18.38-carat, D-color diamonds from Botswana’s Jwaneng mine sold for $3.3 million, the top lot of the jewelry auction.
Supplier BulletinMay 14, 2026
A Diamond Is Forever Continues Desert Diamonds – Bridal ReinvigoratedSponsored by A Diamond Is Forever
SourcingMay 14, 2026
State of Colored Stones: The Spirit of Young American Gemstone CuttersThe next generation of lapidarists are entrepreneurial, engaged online, and see the craft as a means for artistic expression.
