The
Bulova Story
The realization of a great American dream began in 1875 when Joseph Bulova, a
23-year-old immigrant from Bohemia, opened a small jewelry store on Maiden Lane
in New York City. This modest enterprise was to evolve into one of today's preeminent
watch and clock companies. In 1911, Bulova began manufacturing boudoir and desk
clocks, along with fine pocket watches, which he made and sold in unprecedented
numbers. During World War I, wristwatches were issued in the military for their
greater convenience. Returning veterans brought home the new fashion--and a new
market emerged. Bulova already had sufficient production facilities and a mastery
of jewelry design, so his company introduced the first full line of men's jeweled
wristwatches in 1919. It was followed by the industry's first full line of ladies'
wristwatches and the first line of diamond wristwatches. America ran on Bulova
time, beginning with radio's first commercials, broadcast nationally in 1926: "At
the tone, it's 8 P.M., B-U-L-O-V-A Bulova watch time." Two years later,
Bulova introduced the world's first clock radio.
In 1931, Bulova
conducted the watch industry's first million-dollar advertising
campaign. And through the Depression years, Bulova supported
retailers by offering Bulova watches to buyers on time-payment
plans. As the next decade began, Bulova aired the first TV commercial.
A simple picture of a clock and a map of the United States, it
preceded a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball game on July 1, 1941, and
proclaimed, "America runs on Bulova time." By then,
Ardé Bulova, Joseph Bulova's son, was also producing
timepieces for the military. With the U.S. entry into World War
II, the Bulova factories immediately put their perfected mass-production
techniques and skilled craftsmen to work on precision military
equipment. Bulova provided the U.S. government with military
watches, specialized timepieces, aircraft instruments, critical
torpedo mechanisms and fuses. At the war's end, the Joseph Bulova
School of Watchmaking opened its doors to help disabled veterans
become self-sufficient. At the opening of the school, Ardé Bulova
made the following statement:
"For
the purpose of aiding war veterans who are physically handicapped,
the Bulova School of Watchmaking has been founded to teach the
art and trade of watch, clock and instrument making and repairing,
including the use of tools, machinery and equipment necessary
in carrying on such a trade. Graduates of the school are expected
to be placed in positions in jewelry stores throughout the country
and thus be assisted in finding a place in life in a useful and
happy occupation. This is but a small measure of the gratitude
that can be shown to these men for their service to our country
in this greatest of all wars."
The school
was supported entirely by the Bulova Foundation. No financial
aid of any kind was received from any government agency or the
students. Equipment at the school included magic-eye doors, wide
two-way elevator entrances and exits, special workbenches, non-slip
cork floors and other features so that disabled men could move
about at no physical disadvantage. Complete medical facilities
and a well-equipped recreation room provided treatment and relaxation.
Graduates of the school were assured employment since over 1,500
positions were pledged by American Jewelers.
A new era
in timekeeping dawned in the 1950s. Through persistent and dedicated
research, Bulova developed Accutron, the first electronic watch.
Keeping time to within two seconds a day, it was the first breakthrough
in timekeeping technology in over 300 years.
During the
1960s, NASA asked the company to channel its Accutron efforts
into making computers for the Space Program. As a result, Bulova's
Accutron timing mechanism became an integral and vital part of
space technology from the 1958 launch of Vanguard I to the first
moon walk on July 21, 1969. A Bulova timer was placed on the
moon's Sea of Tranquility to control the transmissions of vital
data through the years. When Accutron precision became available
to customers, Bulova was the first watch brand to offer a written
guarantee of accuracy-in-use to within a minute a month. Another
significant Bulova breakthrough occurred in the 1960s with the
introduction of the Phototimer clock. Today, all Bulova watches
contain the finest quartz-crystal movements, accurate to within
three minutes a year.
In recent
decades, Bulova timepieces have kept official time aboard Air
Force One, and Bulova products have repeatedly been awarded to
visiting dignitaries as Presidential Gifts of State. Bulova has
also served as America's official watch to the U.S. Olympic Team.
In recent
years, Bulova has presented a number of design innovations. Whether
the customer prefers a high profile diamond watch, an heirloom
quality 14-karat gold watch, a sporty elegant Marine Star watch,
a day/date calendar watch or a contemporary career-style watch,
Bulova offers a style for every taste and occasion. Each one
is reminiscent of Joseph Bulova's demand for unique quality and
beauty.
Year after
year, having satisfied customers for over a century, Bulova continues
its tradition of growth and innovation. Today, Bulova remains
a totally U.S.-owned company, enjoying the financial resources
and management support of Loews Corporation. As a result, Bulova
now offers the widest range of styles in its long history. With
over a century of technological leadership and service, Bulova
is among America's most recognized names.
Bulova
Bulova timepieces use only the finest materials, precision craftsmanship and
state-of-the-art technology for enduring quality and performance.
At the heart of each Bulova watch is precision accuracy. From the finest
quartz movements to alternative technologies such as solar or mechanical energy,
each Bulova watch is guaranteed to be accurate to within one minutes a year.
Every Bulova is anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, and features our unique
distortion-free and scratch-resistant Dura-CrystalÂ.
Bulova uses only the finest materials for its bracelets and straps. Many
of Bulova's bracelets are solid stainless steel. Some are plated with Bulova's
unique 23-karat hard gold process, which is tempered to give an extra durable
finish. Other bracelets are ion plated with a patented gold process for an
ultra-resilient finish. The straps are made from the finest leathers to resist
wear and maintain their elegant look.
Only Bulova offers the
range of styling and the scope of products to meet everyone's needs:
The Marine Star Collection represents elegance in a sport look. With stainless
steel bracelets, screw backs, ratchet bezels and water resistance up to 200
meters (660 feet), Marine Star watches provide enduring performance with superlative
style.
Bulova diamond watches use only genuine faceted diamonds for lasting quality
and ultimate brilliance. With both classic and contemporary styles to choose
from, it is easy to see why Bulova leads the industry in diamond dial, diamond
case and diamond bracelet watches.
Bulova 14 Karat gold watches are heirloom quality timepieces. All styles
have Swiss movements and either European or American bracelets. These sophisticated
watches offer breathtaking styling and outstanding value in 14-karat gold as
well as 18-karat gold and stainless steel.
From classic and contemporary straps and bracelets, to specialty chronographs
and advanced technologies, Bulova offers several hundred styles to choose from.
Caravelle
Caravelle is today's lifestyle brand, offering a wide range of styles to fit
all the varied roles of today's busy consumer. Tailored career, classically
traditional, stylish fashion and contemporary sport watches fill these needs
with dependable quality and truly affordable prices.
Precision quartz movements that guarantee accuracy.
Superior plating using a 23-karat hard gold process that tempers the finish
for added durability.
Genuine leather straps, or finely made bracelets, including stainless steel
for maximum wear.
Genuine diamonds or fine Austrian crystal.
Caravelle offers several hundred timepieces to satisfy the multiple needs
of today's consumers.
Career Segment
Sophisticated designs for everyday wear. Perfect for the office, school or
wherever tailored styling makes the best statement.
Classic Segment
Timeless, traditional designs that provide enduring style.
Fashion Segment
Contemporary designs for a modern look, in line with today's fashions.
Sport Segment
Performance and elegance. Bracelets and straps, water resistance up to 100
meters (330 feet).
Accutron
Designed in America and handcrafted in Switzerland, each Accutron combines
exceptional styling with the most advanced timekeeping technology. In the
world of luxury watches, Accutron stands alone by offering:
The finest Swiss quartz movements available.
Solid stainless steel construction.
Solid-link, stainless steel bracelets and top-quality leather straps, many
with hidden deployment clasps to provide a seamless look on the wrist.
23-karat gold finishes applied with the most advanced plating technology.
Superior scratch-resistant sapphire crystals.
Water resistance from 30 meters (100 feet) to 200 meters (660 feet).
For hundreds of years,
precision timekeeping was strictly mechanical. Then Bulova transformed the
course of time forever with the world's first fully electronic watch . .
. Accutron. A vital component of the U.S. space program from the 1958 launch
of Vanguard I through the first moonwalk in 1969, Accutron revolutionized
the watchmaking industry by bringing its state-of-the-art timing mechanism
directly to consumers. Today, building on this extraordinary legacy, Accutron
remains at the forefront of watchmaking technology, combining the most advanced
Swiss quartz movements with the finest of contemporary styling.
Clocks
Bulova's award-winning collection of classic and contemporary clocks is produced
with strict adherence to Bulova's quality standards. Each clock features:
A one-year warranty.
A state-of-the-art precision movement. The quartz, battery-operated chime
and standard movements are guaranteed to be accurate to within three minutes
a year. Bulova keywind mechanical movements are produced in Europe to the exacting
standards of master clock makers.
The finest quality materials including carefully selected woods, solid brass,
lead crystal, imported marble, porcelain and leather.
Attention to design and engineering details. Bulova Clocks are distinguished
by their precision movements, painstakingly assembled wood cases, engraved
dials, flawless finishes and unique designs.
Bulova clocks span a range
of styles and forms with unmatched artistry and technological excellence.
Licensed Products
Combining Bulova's reputation for technological excellence with the proven
charm of cherished trademarked designs gives the Licensed Products Collection
truly unique market appeal. Instantly recognizable, the Frank Lloyd WrightÂ,
Harley-DavidsonÂ, and Pfaltzgraff make particularly memorable
gifts, while attracting both budding connoisseurs and established collectors.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) is recognized as one of the greatest architects
of the twentieth century. Using innovations in design and engineering made
possible by newly developed technology and materials, his work heralded a new
thinking in architecture, stressing "organic" structures in harmony
with their natural surroundings.
Bulova's award-winning
Frank Lloyd Wright Collection honors this American genius with an
exceptional group of clocks including tabletop and wall models, as well as
a number of uniquely stylish watches. Each style is part of the Frank Lloyd
Wright Decorative Designs Collection®, certified by The Frank
Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona.
These products are part
of the Frank Lloyd Wright Decorative Designs Collection®. A portion
of the sales of these products supports the design and education programs
of The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona. ©1999
- 2003 The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, All Rights Reserved.
Pfaltzgraff
One of the world's leading manufacturers of ceramic dinnerware, Pfaltzgraff
was the first company in its industry to recognize the market potential
of clocks coordinated to its popular patterns. Within two years, Bulova's
Pfaltzgraff Collection enjoyed the largest percentage of sales increase
of all Pfaltzgraff licensees.
Designed to harmonize
with a variety of kitchen decors, the group now includes an extensive selection
of strikingly patterned wall clocks featuring such Pfaltzgraff favorites
as April, Aura, Bonnie Brae, Citiscape, Crystaflora, Grandma's Kitchen, Grapevine,
Hopscotch, Juniper, Midnight Sun, Northwind, Solstice, Summer Garden, Tea
Rose and Yorktowne. Pfaltzgraff is a registered trademark of Pfaltzgraff
Co. ©1999 - 2003 Pfaltzgraff Co.
