Bulova Watch Company Jewelry & Watches

To spot a fake Bulova watch, first examine the back of the watch.

On timepieces produced before 1950, you will find a symbol that corresponds to the year of production. All Bulova watches made from 1950 onwards should display a two-character code that consists of one letter and one number. Once you find the code, research the watches Bulova produced that year using trusted online resources. Double check that the style of timepiece was in production at that time. Also, look at the Bulova wordmark that appears on the back of the watch case. The American watchmaker has used different wordings for this mark over the years, so confirm that the details of the stamp are appropriate for the year of production.

If you need help determining whether your watch is real or fake, a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert can assist you.

On 1stDibs, explore a range of Bulova watches.

Yes, Bulova watches are made from real gold. Bulova makes gold watches that range from nine karat to 24 karat gold, with a select few watches being entirely solid gold. Always purchase Bulova watches from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Browse a large selection of authentic Bulova watches on 1stDibs.

A few things account for what makes Bulova watches so special. First, the watchmaker has a long history of innovation. One of its signature achievements is the design of its Precisionist movement, which operates at a much higher frequency than standard components, allowing for a higher degree of accuracy when keeping time. Bulova is also known for producing timepieces in a wide range of styles, from the traditional Bulova Classic to the sporty Marine Star to the ultra-modern Curv, which boasted the world's first-ever curved chronograph when it debuted. Bulova's rich heritage also sets the brand apart. The company's history can be traced back to 1875, and the company even produced watches for the Apollo 15 space mission. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of Bulova watches.

Bulova watches are made from the finest materials, which includes real diamonds and gold. As a result they are considered an American luxury watch brand.

Whether Bulova watches are made in Japan depends upon the timepiece in question. Historically, Bulova made all of its watches in Switzerland, but in recent years, the brand shifted some production to Japan and Hong Kong. You'll find a collection of Bulova watches on 1stDibs.

Yes, Bulova is a high-end watch. Due to the accessible prices and fine-quality materials of their pieces, Bulova is often thought of as a step above fashion watches or an entry-level luxury brand. Find a variety of Bulova watches on 1stDibs.

Yes, many people consider Bulova a luxury watch brand because its pieces feature quality workmanship and materials and are available at aspirational price points. The American watchmaker was founded in 1875 in New York by Bohemian immigrant Joseph Bulova and is widely known for the tuning fork-based technology it introduced in 1960 as well as its reputable quartz movements. Shop a collection of Bulova watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

There is no single most prestigious watch company. In fact, many makers produce reliable, innovative timepieces out of fine materials. Some of the leading names in the world of luxury watches include Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, Richard Mille, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Blancpain, Cartier and Audemars Piguet. Find a wide range of watches on 1stDibs.

Yes, Cartier is a watch company. It also produces jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories. For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the best-known and internationally revered jewelers in the world. One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, many people only used pocket watches.) Louis Cartier designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of Cartier watches.

The history of the Record Watch Company traces back to Tramelan, Switzerland, where a group of watchmakers established the company. Their singular goal was to introduce a new type of pocket watch. Called the Sector Watch, the timepiece featured a triangular case and a retrograde display for easy reading. In 1916, the company merged with a number of other small Swiss makers to form the Record Dreadnought Watch Co. S.A. During the decades that followed, Record Dreadnought Watch manufactured a wide variety of clocks, watches and other components under several brand names, including Record. Like many watchmakers, Record Dreadnought Watch contributed to the war effort during World War II by manufacturing watches for the British military. In 1949, the company changed its name to Record Watch Co. S.A. Eleven years later, it became the first Swiss watchmaker to earn the approval of the U.S. government for its pocket watches to be used on U.S. railways. A year later, Longines purchased Record, though it continued to produce watches under the Record brand name for 30 years. Today, Longines has a collection that features timepieces inspired by the Record brand. Explore a selection of Record watches on 1stDibs.

The Rado Watch Company is more than 100 years old. Brothers Ernst, Fritz and Werner Schlup founded the company as Schlup & Co. in Lengnau, Switzerland, in 1917. During the 1950s, the brothers introduced the Rado watch brand and subsequently changed the name of their company to correspond with their successful collection. Find a range of Rado watches on 1stDibs.

Here are some of the oldest British watch companies: Founded in 1846, the Fears Watch Company of Bristol operated continuously until the 1970s, when the quartz crisis led to financial difficulties. The founder's great-great-great grandson relaunched the brand in 2016. Other British brands with long histories include Smiths Watches, established in 1851, and the Rochester Watch Company, which opened in 1900. Shop a wide range of watches on 1stDibs.

No. The USA-based Elgin Watch Company sadly closed its doors in 1968. The rights to the Elgin name were purchased by MZ Berger Inc., which manufactures watches in China and distributes them outside of conventional watch shops. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Elgin watches from some of the world’s top sellers.

Yes, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watch company in the world that remains in operation today. It was founded in 1755 by Jean-Marc Vacheron, the son of a master weaver in Geneva who instilled in his children his belief that working with one’s hands is a noble endeavor. Vacheron took his father’s convictions to heart and opened his watchmaking workshop at the age of 24. The watchmaker made custom watches for royalty and was an innovator in its field. Since becoming known as Vacheron & Constantin in 1819 — and later, Vacheron Constantin — the company has enjoyed international acclaim for everything from jewelry watches to provocatively shaped designs. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of Vacheron Constantin watches.

The history of the American Waltham Watch Company started in 1854, when Aaron Lufkin Dennison founded the company in Waltham, Massachusetts. There, it began to manufacture watches with interchangeable parts, a new approach to production that allowed the company to prepare watches much more quickly than its competitors. Still, the company experienced economic hardships during its early years, and Dennison was forced to sell his company to Royal E. Robbins in 1857. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Robbins and his business partners, Henry Asher Robbins and Daniel F. Appleton, capitalized on the military's need for reliable watches by introducing an inexpensive $13 timepiece called the William Ellery. Following the war, the company became a supplier to major railways. After a period of sluggish sales as a result of the Panic of 1907, the American Waltham Watch Company revived the business by expanding its manufacturing into fuses and other essential materials for World War I. By the 1920s, the company was producing wristwatches and continued to do so despite changes in ownership during the 1950s and ’60s. By the 1970s, the company was no longer manufacturing watches but had licensed its name to other watchmakers, a practice that continues to this day. On 1stDibs, find a range of American Waltham Watch Company watches.

No, the Waltham Watch Company does not still exist. The watchmaker went out of business in 1981. However, a subsidiary of the original company, Waltham, SA, does continue to manufacture timepieces. Shop a range of Waltham Watch Company watches on 1stDibs.

The Illinois Watch Company went out of business in 1928. However, the Hamilton Watch Company purchased the brand and continued to manufacture timepieces under the Illinois name for decades after. In 2004, Swatch bought the Hamilton Watch Company and surrendered the Illinois Watch Company brand name. A new group of investors purchased the name in 2009 and began manufacturing timepieces under the brand again. Shop a range of Illinois Watch Company watches on 1stDibs.