Bulova Watches

Bulova: The American Watch Brand That Refuses to Quit

If you’re American and your grandfather had a watch, odds are good it was a Bulova.

And if you're a collector today, chances are you've seen one across a flea market table, inside a military footlocker, or tucked into a vintage display case — still ticking, still proud.

Bulova isn’t about prestige pricing or flex culture. It’s about accessibility, innovation, and longevity. This is a brand that’s been to the moon (kinda), invented the electronic watch, and once hired a symphony conductor to time commercials.

It’s quirky. It’s historic. And it deserves more respect than it usually gets.

Brand History: From Midtown Manhattan to Moon Missions

Founded in 1875 by Joseph Bulova, the company quickly became a cornerstone of American watchmaking. Based in New York City, Bulova was one of the first brands to mass-produce timepieces, democratizing quality watches for the everyday buyer — decades before that became a marketing slogan.

By the mid-20th century, they were doing everything from military-issue field watches to art deco masterpieces to space-age electronics.

Key moments:

  • 1926 – First radio commercial in history? Bulova.

  • 1941 – First television commercial in history? Also Bulova.

  • 1960 – Launch of the Accutron, the world’s first fully electronic watch, powered by a tuning fork. NASA used the tech. So did pilots. So did presidents.

  • 1971 – A Bulova chronograph was worn on the moon by astronaut Dave Scott after his Omega broke. Yes, really.

They were everywhere — and they made watches that lasted.

Collector Highlights: Tuning Forks, Tanks, and Time Capsules

  • Accutron Spaceview – Transparent dial, humming tuning fork movement, alien cool. One of the most iconic vintage electronic watches of all time.

  • Lunar Pilot Chronograph – The “other moon watch,” based on Dave Scott’s personal Bulova. Modern version is a cult hit — tons of presence, surprisingly affordable.

  • Military watches – WWII-era A-11s and other field pieces are simple, rugged, and collectible.

  • Vintage Art Deco models – Especially the 1930s–1950s tanks and curvex-style dress watches. Classy, small, and oozing character.

  • Precisionist Line – Modern tech, insane quartz accuracy (1/1,000th of a second chronos), and serious value.

And because Bulova made a lot of watches, there’s a whole world of niche collecting: Caravelle, Sea King, Snorkel, Devil Diver… rabbit hole city.

Why Collectors Care

  • Deep American history – One of the few U.S. brands with real watchmaking pedigree.

  • Innovation cred – Accutron changed the game.

  • Endless variety – You can collect Bulova for a lifetime and still find weird, wonderful pieces.

  • Accessible price points – Whether vintage or new, you don’t need to take out a loan to get into the game.

  • Serious nostalgia factor – Especially for anyone raised on Mad Men, moon missions, or stories from grandpa.

Bulova is a brand for people who appreciate history and honesty — not just hype.

What They're Doing Now

Today, Bulova is owned by Citizen (since 2008), and while not everything they release is collector bait, they’ve been reclaiming their heritage in all the right ways:

  • Accutron (spin-off brand) – Relaunched as a luxury label with space-age electrostatic movement. Wild, niche, and awesome.

  • Lunar Pilot Chrono – One of the best buys in the $500–$1K range. Period.

  • Archive Series – Retro reissues done right, like the Devil Diver and Surfboard Chronograph.

  • Precisionist – High-accuracy quartz with crazy chronograph precision.

  • Curv – The world’s first curved chronograph movement. Not for everyone, but undeniably cool.

And yes — you can still walk into a department store and buy a Bulova. But the deeper cuts? They’re what real collectors go after.

Fed’s Take

Bulova gets unfairly overlooked by modern collectors — probably because they see it next to Fossil at Macy’s and assume that’s all there is.

But here’s the truth: Bulova has one of the richest legacies in American watch history. The Accutron Spaceview still looks futuristic. The Lunar Pilot is an absolute unit. And if you know how to spot the right vintage models? There are deals to be had everywhere.

Would I build a full collection around it? Maybe not. But do I think every collector should own at least one Bulova — especially something from the ‘60s or ‘70s? 100%.

It’s history. On the wrist. And you don’t need to finance it.

The Best Time to Buy a Bulova Was Yesterday

Whether you’re hunting vintage tech, moon landing cred, or a modern piece with underrated value, Bulova offers more than most collectors realize — and usually for a lot less than you’d expect.

Delray Watch has a rotating selection of pre-owned Bulova watches — pieces you won’t find sitting in mall boutiques or flexing on billboards.

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