Bulova: "A History of Firsts"

Anyone who thinks of "Accutron" when they think of Bulova definitely has a fascinating watch in mind, but unfortunately only a very limited idea of what defines the US brand, which has been part of the Citizen Group since 2008. This year, it celebrates its 150th anniversary.

When you delve into Bulova's history, you'll often read about the first, the first, and so on. Because the brand is a first mover in many areas.

This also applies to the way in which the company documents and communicates its history for the anniversary. While many companies would commission a book or curate an exhibition, Bulova is shooting a one-hour film. This takes viewers on a journey through time: from its beginnings in Lower Manhattan to the present day.

Bulova – an American dream

Joseph Bulova, just 19 years old, embarked on a journey from what is now the Czech Republic to New York City with dreams and determination. In 1875, he opened his first store in Lower Manhattan, laying the foundation for a watch brand that would become an iconic brand.

The anniversary collection

For its 150th anniversary, Bulova presents a pocket watchInspired by a model from the 1920s, the intricately engraved sterling silver dial and the custom-crafted snap hook and spring ring on the link chain celebrate Bulova's love of craftsmanship. The 45.5-millimeter stainless steel case of this limited-edition watch, limited to 350 pieces, houses a Swiss automatic movement with a 62-hour power reserve. (RRP €2,250)

Originally developed for the US Navy in the 1950s, the “MIL-SHIPS” In its anniversary year, it features a 41-millimeter copper case that is water-resistant to 20 bar.

The source of inspiration is the copper diving helmets from the 19th century.

Bulova combines the natural patina of the alloy, which consists primarily of copper and tin, with dial/bezel combinations in green or blue. Inside, an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve works. (RRP €895)

Bulova celebrates the "Marine Star" from the 1970s with a special edition featuring a vintage logo on the dial and a motif embossed on the caseback. The chronograph features a quartz movement in a 42.85mm stainless steel case, water-resistant to 20 bar, and comes with an anniversary box and booklet. (RRP €695)

The 35mm versions of the "Marine Star" combine functional water resistance to 10 bar with a shimmering mother-of-pearl dial featuring an open-heart cutout. Inside the stainless steel case, an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve works. (RRP €399 or €449)

With the special "Lunar Pilot" edition celebrating Bulova's 150th anniversary, the brand commemorates its own space history with a dial made of meteorite rock. More specifically, the date August 2, 1971, when one of the astronauts wore a "Lunar Pilot" during the Apollo 15 moon landing.

The counterpart draws attention with its bright red, panda-style dial. Both models feature a stainless steel case measuring 43.5 millimeters in diameter and house a reliable quartz movement. (RRP €1,299 and €699, respectively)

The new "Racer" chronograph also references the multifaceted history of the Bulova brand, which also includes motorsports. The company was a timing partner of the famous NASCAR series as early as 1957. The new versions visually reference this tradition and come in a special box with a story booklet. The quartz chronographs with a white or blue dial feature a 42-millimeter stainless steel case, one of which is PVD gold, water-resistant to 10 bar. (RRP €389, €399, and €429, respectively)

Inspired by the “Super Seville Day-Date” from the 1970s, the new series combines retro aesthetics with modern precision.

Thanks to Bulova's 8-jewel quartz movement with a frequency of 262 kHz, the watch offers exceptionally high accuracy. (RRP €499 or €599)

The "Snorkel" series, true to its name, features colors inspired by marine life. Water-resistant to 10 bar, the four models feature a 41-millimeter case made of an innovative hybrid ceramic—a composite material that feels pleasantly smooth and offers enhanced durability. (RRP €249)

There are also automatic models from the “Classic,” “Surveyor,” and “Octa” lines, with numerous dial colors to choose from in sizes 34, 39, and 40 millimeters.

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Milestones and history of Bulova

1911: Start of pocket and clock production in the USA

1912: Opening of a watch factory in Biel (Switzerland) for the production of watch parts and assembly of watch movements

1919: Market launch of gemstone-set men's watches

1924: Bulova introduces its first collection of women's watches, including diamond-studded pieces.

1926: Bulova presents the first radio advertisement with the slogan: "At the tone, it's 8 PM - Bulova watch time."

1927: Charles Lindbergh becomes the first to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic. He receives over $1,000 in prize money and a Bulova watch. Bulova also releases a special edition "Lone Eagle" watch.

1928: Bulova presents the first clock radio.

1930s: Launch of dust and water resistant watches.

1931: Bulova introduces the world's first electric clock and is the first watch manufacturer to spend over one million dollars on advertising in a single year.

1941 Bulova presents the world's first television commercial.

1945: Arde Bulova, son of the company founder, opens the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking for war veterans to offer them new career prospects.

1952: Bulova continues to sponsor the “Frank Sinatra Show,” leading to the creation of an entire line of Frank Sinatra watches.

1955: A study shows that Bulova products are advertised more than any other product in the USA.

1956: Bulova will co-sponsor the Jackie Gleason Show and thus concludes the largest sponsorship contract of a watch company to date.

1960s: The Accutron was introduced in 1960. It was the world's first electronic watch, equipped with the company's proprietary Precisionist movement. NASA commissioned Bulova to integrate the Accutron into its space program computers. Bulova timing mechanisms eventually became an integral part of 46 US space program missions during the 1960s. The Accutron also became a presidential gift to heads of state and other dignitaries.

1967: Accutron timepieces are the only clocks on board Air Force One.

1969: An Accutron movement is part of the equipment placed on the moon by the Apollo 11 astronauts, the first humans to walk on the moon. A Bulova timer is placed in the lunar "Sea of Tranquility" to control the transmission of important data over the years.

1970: The Accuquartz Calendar was the first quartz watch available in American retail. It was made of 118-karat gold and cost $1,325.

1971: A Bulova chronograph is on board Apollo 15.

1983: Bulova launches the "Dimension." It's the world's thinnest wall clock, measuring just 1.5 centimeters in height.

2000: On October 4, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani proclaims “Bulova Day” in New York City in honor of Bulova’s 125th anniversary.

2008: The Citizen Group buys Bulova for $247 million.

2016: Bulova introduces “Curv,” the world’s first chronograph with a curved movement.

2019: The chronograph “Curv” is awarded the Inhorgenta Award in the category “Watch Design of the Year”.

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Looking back and forward

“Bulova has been a constant presence throughout American history and continues to be so today, crafting some of the world’s most imaginative, iconic, and innovative watches, shaping significant moments,” emphasizes Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America.

"The brand has undoubtedly broken barriers in watchmaking and positively impacted society. From establishing the first veterans' watchmaking school immediately after World War II, which we still contribute to today, to authentic marketing campaigns like 'Equal Time, Equal Pay' in the 1970s. Even after 150 years, Bulova continues to create outstanding products and reflect the American dream realized by Joseph Bulova."

“Looking ahead to the next 150 years, Bulova will continue to innovate tirelessly, leveraging its strong foundation of forward-thinking design and technological advancements for years to come.”

Jeffrey Cohen

“Accutron” – a very special watch

The Accutron Spaceview by Bulova was first introduced in 1960 and is considered the world's first fully electronic watch and a major innovation in watchmaking. With its electronic tuning fork, the Accutron Spaceview was and remains not only Bulova's most famous watch, it also paved the way for the digital watch, delivered a level of precision previously unattainable with mechanical watches, and is considered a forerunner of the quartz watch. The name "Accutron" is therefore a logical combination of the words "accuracy" and "electronic."

A particularly new feature was the electronic tuning fork as a regulating element, whose frequency of 360 Hz is clearly audible when the "Accutron Spaceview" is placed against the ear. The electronic flexural oscillator—the technical term for the electronic tuning fork—enabled a new dimension of precision with a maximum rate deviation of one minute per year.

The accuracy and reliability of this technology even impressed NASA, so much so that it was used for cockpit instruments on nearly 50 space missions, including the Apollo lunar landing program. Incidentally, a small piece of "Accutron" still exists on the Moon today, in the lunar rover that the Apollo 11 crew left behind in the Mare Tranquillitatis of Earth's satellite in 1969.

To mark its 60th anniversary, Bulova presented the "Spaceview 2020," the world's first watch powered by electrostatic energy. The energy stored in a rechargeable battery drives two motors: one for the sweeping seconds hand and one for the hour and minute hands. Both motors are synchronized by integrated circuits to ensure an accuracy of +/- 5 seconds per month. Visually, the "Spaceview 2020" bears unmistakable resemblance to its 1960 predecessor. The open dial, with its still futuristic green accents, allows a view of the new movement.

"These new electrostatically powered timepieces are the first of their kind and pay tribute to the iconic 'Spaceview' design that earned Accutron recognition as an industry pioneer," said Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America, at their release.

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