When the Lockheed A-12 was selected to fly for the CIA’s ‘Black Aircraft’ project, it was the most advanced aircraft in the world — and for its pilots, the CIA selected the most advanced wristwatch — the Bulova Accutron Astronaut.
For those uninitiated to the A-12, here’s a brief rundown: The A-12, the predecessor to its more widely-known successor, the SR-71, was built for extremes. It was capable of reaching speeds over 2,000 miles per hour - three times that of the speed of sound - and could reach upwards of 90,000 feet in altitude, giving its pilots the opportunity to touch the face of God. The aircraft's titanium exterior was constructed to withstand the intense G-forces and extreme temperatures it was subject to in these conditions. Above all, the A-12 was the first operational supersonic stealth spy plane.
With a reputation for durability during its time on the wrists of X-15 pilots, the Bulova Accutron Astronaut flexed all of its unique qualities to perform equally as effectively in extreme environments. Its tuning fork mechanism and low inertia components gave it good resistance to high G-loads and temperatures without malfunctioning under pressure. In a written letter by Lieutenant Colonel Frank Murray (see it ), the pilot sings the Astronaut’s praises, “Ordinary wristwatches worn by pilots on the outside of their pressure suits were not holding up to these temperatures. The Bulova Accutron Astronaut model held up to testing, so the CIA decided to furnish the Bulova watch to the CIA pilots flying the A-12.”
This particular example is a time capsule -calling back to the Cold War Era and perfectly illustrating all the reasons that made them the go-to watch for the CIA and its A-12 pilots. Its 38mm stainless steel case features a rotating 24-hour bezel with engraved numerals and indices, and its easy to read luminous matte black dial features a set of alternating triangular and dot markers, a matching ‘dagger’ handset and a GMT arrow hand. It’s powered by the tried and true Calibre 214 tuning fork movement and is fitted with a stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a safety clasp.
We’re obvious fans of anything related to space, aviation and horological history - they’re all intriguing in their own right. But when all three come together and take the shape of a watch as cool - and as significant - as the Accutron Astronaut, our enthusiasm truly takes flight.
