IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
WatchesSep 15, 2020
Accutron Opens a New Chapter With a ‘Legacy’
Citizen is relaunching the world’s first fully electronic watch as its own brand, separate from Bulova.
The watches in the new Accutron “Legacy” collection pay homage to the brand’s most collectible models. This watch was inspired by the Accutron railroad watch from 1970.
New York—Watch brand Accutron is celebrating 60 years with new collections, a book, a podcast, and an identity separate from Bulova.
After getting its start in 1960 as the Bulova Accutron—the world’s first fully electronic watch—the timepiece, which has not been produced in over 40 years, is being reintroduced by parent company Citizen Watch as just Accutron.
And what better way to reintroduce a brand than by riffing off some of its greatest hits?
This past fall, the Citizen-owned brand invited a select group of watch collectors to its head offices in New York’s Empire State Building.
There, the collectors spoke about their history with Accutron and identified the watches that were historically significant and/or the most sought-after vintage models.
From that feedback came the Legacy collection, a group of 12 watches all limited to 600 pieces each that take their cues from Accutron models made up until 1974. (The watch was only in production for 17 years, between 1960 and 1977.)
The original Accutron was a miniature electronic marvel in its time. It was known for its accuracy and, in fact, its name is a portmanteau of the phrase “accuracy through electronic.”
In bringing back the brand, Citizen already released the Accutron “Spaceview 2020” and “DNA,” the world’s first watches powered by electrostatic energy.
But with the Legacy collection, it’s more about capturing those design vibes of the ‘60s and ‘70s than it is about technology.
See: 5 of the Watches in the Accutron ‘Legacy’ Collection
This new Accutron watch inspired by the “261” model from 1971 features a 38.5 mm silver-tone cushion-shaped case with a teal-colored dial, sculptured and applied markers, a calendar and crown placement at 4 o’clock. It comes on a black leather strap and retails for $1,390.
The inspiration for this watch was the “521” model from the 1960s, even keeping the same size case, 32.8 x 32.8 mm, to make it unisex for today. The gold-tone stainless steel case model with a lizard-embossed leather strap seen here retails for $1,450.
A full view of the same watch but with a gold-tone stainless steel case ($1,550)
This Legacy watch was inspired by the first-ever railroad-approved wristwatch, which Accutron made in 1970. The Accutron R.R.-0 is a 34 mm watch that has a “0” at the 12-hour mark to meet Canadian Railroad specifications. It retails for $1,290.
This watch is based on the “565” from 1966 and adds cross-hatching details to the asymmetrical case the brand was known for. The 34 mm watch with silver-tone stainless steel case and croco-embosssed leather strap retails for $1,390.
All 12 pieces in the Legacy collection have the same movement, the brand’s Swiss-made 26-jewel movement, are water-resistant to 30 meters and have sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating.
The watches are priced between $1,290 and $1,550 retail and will be available beginning next month on the Accutron website as well as at independent jewelers like Watches of Switzerland.
In addition to the fresh collection, there’s a podcast and a new book, “Accutron: From the Space Age to the Digital Age.”
Written by Hodinkee Editor-in-Chief Jack Forster and Aaron Sigmond with a forward by industrial designer Carl Gustav Magnusson, the six-chapter tome is available for $75 on the website of publisher Assouline or offered as a set with a limited-edition Spaceview 2020 timepiece for $4,000.
More on Watches
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
