Marking Every Moment: Bulova's 150-Year Journey of Innovation
By Patricia Schmoyer
Vice President, Marketing, Bulova Brand, Citizen Watch America
Some History
From the Sky to the Stars: Time With Purpose
New York’s Timekeeper
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In the world of Bulova watches, time is more than a measure — it’s a record of human progress. For 150 years, we have set out to capture the spirit of innovation and achievement that defines America itself. From the dream of a young immigrant in 19th-century New York to the wrist of an astronaut walking on the moon, Bulova’s story is a celebration of perseverance, precision, and passion — and a look ahead to what’s still to come.
Some History
When Joseph Bulova arrived in New York City at 19, he carried little more than craftsman’s tools and a visionary’s belief in the power of possibility. In 1875, he opened a modest jewelry shop in lower Manhattan — unaware that his name would soon become synonymous with American innovation.
Bulova was an early pioneer of modern manufacturing. By establishing a factory in Switzerland and applying the American assembly-line system to watchmaking, he transformed the industry and set new standards of accessibility, reliability, and style. The company calls this its “first great act of innovation,” and it remains the foundation of Bulova’s identity: blending artistry with engineering, design with purpose.
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Bulova’s defining breakthroughs are the milestones of modern horology. Besides producing the first line of women's watches and television commercials, as explained below, the 1960 Accutron introduced the world’s first fully electronic watch, powered by a revolutionary tuning fork movement. It was a triumph of engineering that made possible the precision we take for granted today. It continues to inspire innovations such as the Curv, the world’s first curved chronograph, and the Precisionist movement, accurate to within seconds per year.
This same dedication to progress lives on in the new Super Seville, a sophisticated reinterpretation of a 1970s classic. “It’s a statement about our philosophy that tradition and technology are not opposites — they move forward together.”
From the Sky to the Stars: Time With Purpose
Bulova’s watches have witnessed some of humanity’s greatest moments. In the 1920s, we offered a prize to Charles Lindbergh for his pioneering transatlantic flight and partnered with aviation icons like Amelia Earhart. Later, Bulova’s precision instruments became integral to both military and space exploration — including 46 NASA missions and a proud moment in 1971, when a Bulova chronograph traveled to the lunar surface during Apollo 15.
That legacy continues today with the Lunar Pilot, a modern tribute to the moon watch — a design that merges heritage and technology for the explorers of a new generation.
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During World War II, Bulova’s factories shifted from watches to aviation instruments, navigation clocks, and the renowned A-11 pilot’s watch, known as “the watch that won the war.” After the conflict, Arde Bulova established the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking to help disabled veterans find new careers — a mission that endures through the Veterans Watchmaking Initiative. We measure time, but our purpose has always been people.Long before gender equity was a corporate priority, Bulova was creating watches for women who were defining new roles for themselves. From its first women’s wristwatch collection in 1917 to the elegance of Hollywood’s golden age and the boldness of the 1970s, Bulova’s designs reflected independence and strength. The Rubaiyat Collection, with its signature “Goddess of Time” motif, continues to honor that heritage of empowerment and grace.
Bulova has always recognized that culture moves to its own rhythm — and the brand has often been the one to keep the beat. From producing America’s first radio and television ads to sponsoring The Frank Sinatra Show and partnering with icons like Muhammad Ali and Johnny Cash, Bulova has aligned itself with the sound of progress. Today, collaborations with Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira, Nile Rodgers, and the Apollo Theater keep that creative pulse alive.
New York’s Timekeeper
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Like the city it calls home, Bulova thrives on diversity, ambition, and reinvention. From its beginnings in lower Manhattan to its current home in the Empire State Building, Bulova remains a symbol of New York energy and global reach. Great companies move in rhythm with their culture — and for 150 years, New York has been ours.As Bulova looks ahead, the company continues to embrace the philosophy that has guided it for a century and a half: Passionate emotion. Pioneering innovation. Bold design. Cultural advocacy.
Our new Hudson collection — a refined fusion of form and craftsmanship — embodies that forward momentum. From the Hudson to the Lunar Pilot, from the Super Seville to the Rubaiyat, every Bulova watch tells a story of ambition and artistry.
For us, the next 150 years are about inspiring new generations to mark their own moments in time.
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