BULOVA’s Success Through Accutron & Moonwatch

Left: 20mm Khaki Quick Release Italian Suede Leather Watch Strap, Charcoal Grey St. 20I16PBU63S6Q16
Right: 20mm Grey Quick Release Italian Suede Leather Watch Strap, Green St. 20H16PBU63S6G16

Bulova was founded back in 1875 by Joseph Bulova (1851-1936), as the “J Bulova Company”, in New York USA. Through time and watchmaking innovations which brought fame and success to the company, the name of the company officially changed to the “Bulova Watch Company” in 1923.

Since then, Bulova had been known for several watch-industries first ofs. Bulova was the first watch brand to have its own radio advertisement, with the slogan: “It’s 8am, Bulova Time”. Bulova took a chance and earned itself as the first watch company to come out with a full line of woman’s watch collection.

Left: 20mm Classic Vintage Knitted Superfine Wire Mesh Band, Polished IP Gold MB2018FYPGD041
Right: 20mm Classic Vintage Knitted Superfine Wire Mesh Band, Polished MB2018FYP041

Of all of the achievements and recognition Bulova have earned over the years, it was perhaps the revolutionary technology of the Accutron caliber 214, that took a partial credit on the Apollo 13 space mission, but definitely full credit on the Apollo 15 project where Legendary Dave Scott wore the “Bulova Moon Watch”, as the second watch in history that was worn on the mission.

Left: 20mm Tapered Milanese Wire Mesh Band, PVD Black MB2016FYBBK043
Right: 20mm G10 James Bond Heavy Nylon Strap Brushed Buckle - NYJB Double Black & Grey N2-20-NYJB-B

After the Apollo 15 mission, the Bulova watch – as it was Scott’s personal property – remained his personal possession for many years. In 2015, Scott himself decided to auction off the Bulova watch. The final price the watch was auctioned off was at a staggering $1,625,000 in a RR auction back in 2015.

Although the idea of the technology for Accutron was not initially thought up by Bulova, but it was “Max Hetzel” (KEY PERSON For Bulova’s success), a Swiss Native Engineer hired by Bulova to take on the Accutron project and tweak it by adding a transistor to the movement that would ultimately help improve the watch’s precision.

The History Of the Accutron Spaceview Watch by Youtube "TimesTicking"

Believe it or not, the history of the Bulova watch brand have been around for almost 150 years. Being one of the largest and longest-running watch brands in the world, Bulova has become widely recognized in the watch industry. Many times in its history, it has set the standard and introduced new innovations that other watchmakers strive to keep up with.

German made 20mm Rally Racing Brown Shrunken Cowhide Watch Band, Brushed 20P16BBU63C1C50