Electric or electronic: the difference is obvious and while both were firsts & horological milestones -- LIP Cosmic, 1958 (left) the first electric watch and Bulova Accutron, 1960 (right) the first electronic watch -- one comes with a traditional 3Hz-balance and the other with a 360Hz-tuningfork. But there are similarities: both come in 18k-solid gold (LIP in rosegold), both share the unusual lug-design, both have a setting crown and separate battery-lids on the caseback. The dauphine-hands are shared and the Accutron is obviously a reminiscence to the "Prestige de la France" by LIP -- probably the most influential French watch.

The most popular owners of the electric LIP were President of France, Charles de Gaulle and President of USA, Dwight D. Eisenhower. While the Accutron were on the wrist of several Astronauts and Artists (Elvis etc).