When Joseph Bulova, the creator of Bulova watches, came to the United States from Bohemia, it was to enjoy all that the Land of Opportunity had to offer. Freedom, prosperity and world-renowned innovation are what drew the 23-year-old immigrant to the country where anyone can be almost anything, as long as they put their minds to it. With a little creativity and a lot of heart, Joseph’s dream came true with the creation of Bulova watches in 1911. After a century of quality craftsmanship, Bulova watches are still among the world’s preeminent brands today. . But like many American success stories, the one with Bulova watches began modestly.
It was on Maiden Lane in New York City that Joseph opened a small jewelry store offering self-made vanity clocks, desk clocks, and fine Bulova pocket watches. They were sold in record numbers. And as the world neared its First World War in 1919, Bulova reached out to a new cutting edge line; the milestone that would change the brand forever. Wristwatches were a rapidly growing market, the convenience of which was invaluable to soldiers in the field and captivated their family and friends at home. In that same year, the first complete line of jeweled wristwatches for men was born, closely followed by a similar line of Bulovas for women. And the innovation continued.
Bulova watches became an American icon through which an entire country kept time. “When you hear the tone, it is 8 pm BULOVA Bulova clock time.” Those were the words that marked the brand’s first national radio broadcast in 1926, just two years before inventing the world’s first clock radio. Then, in 1931, the company ran a multi-million dollar advertising campaign for Bulova watches, an industry first. His success, it seemed, had no limit. In the decade that followed, Bulova aired the first television commercial and forged a lasting partnership with the US government. They produced military watches, specialty watches, aeronautical instruments, critical torpedo mechanisms, and fuzes. The Bulovas are also known for keeping official time on Air Force One and for the US Olympic team.
There is no doubt that Bulova watches are a proud example of what the American dream is. As his story offers limitless inspiration, his collections continue to be inspired. Each unique and elegant in its own way, the Marine Star and Dress collections of Bulova watches have a few things in common. They are anti-magnetic, shock resistant and incredibly strong. Nothing better illustrates its durability than the story of a Bulova automatic watch that was lost by a sailor in 1941. After 67 years at the bottom of the sea, it was recently found and returned to its owner. The clock still works today. What could be more American, a symbol of freedom and strength, than that?