Manufacturer. Born Adolf Bulova, the only son of Bertha and Josef Bulova in New York City. He was known as Arde. His father, a Bohemian (Czech) immigrant, had opened a jewelry shop on Maiden Lane in New York City which by 1911 he had incorporated as J. Bulova Co. with himself as president and his son as vice president. They made boudoir clocks, table clocks, and fine pocket watches, building reputation for excellence and creativity. In 1912 the company established a plant in Bienne, Switzerland, for the production of watch components; they introduced the industry's first system of interchangeable watch parts. In 1919, they released a line of men's jeweled wristwatches, creating the fashion that would replace the pocket watch as a staple. In 1923, their company reincorporated as Bulova Watch Co. and in 1924, introduced the first line of women's jeweled wristwatches. In 1926, as a promotional effort, he offered a prize of $1,000 to the pilot who first succeeded in a nonstop flight across the Atlantic. In 1927, Bulova Watch Co. went public on the American Stock Exchange and established Bulova Canada. In 1930, he assumed the title of chairman of the board, and in 1941, he proposed to manufacture national defense products such as precision military watches, aircraft instruments, and torpedo fuses, for the government at cost. Following the war, he established, through the Bulova Foundation, the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking to aid in the rehabilitating of disabled veterans. In 1950, he established the Bulova Research & Development Laboratory which provided guidance systems, infrared sensors, and electronic systems for the military. In 1952, he launched the research basis for developing an electro-mechanical watch. In 1953, the Accutron watch is imagined by the Swiss engineer Max Hetzel who worked for Bulova both in Switzerland and in the USA (Hetzel is the one on the photo, not Arde Bulova!). After years of development by Hetzel and his team, the Accutron watch is presented on the market. It is considered to be the first "electronical watch." By the time of Arde Bulova's death at age 68, the company controlled about half the time piece market in North America and annual sales surpassed $80 million.
Manufacturer. Born Adolf Bulova, the only son of Bertha and Josef Bulova in New York City. He was known as Arde. His father, a Bohemian (Czech) immigrant, had opened a jewelry shop on Maiden Lane in New York City which by 1911 he had incorporated as J. Bulova Co. with himself as president and his son as vice president. They made boudoir clocks, table clocks, and fine pocket watches, building reputation for excellence and creativity. In 1912 the company established a plant in Bienne, Switzerland, for the production of watch components; they introduced the industry's first system of interchangeable watch parts. In 1919, they released a line of men's jeweled wristwatches, creating the fashion that would replace the pocket watch as a staple. In 1923, their company reincorporated as Bulova Watch Co. and in 1924, introduced the first line of women's jeweled wristwatches. In 1926, as a promotional effort, he offered a prize of $1,000 to the pilot who first succeeded in a nonstop flight across the Atlantic. In 1927, Bulova Watch Co. went public on the American Stock Exchange and established Bulova Canada. In 1930, he assumed the title of chairman of the board, and in 1941, he proposed to manufacture national defense products such as precision military watches, aircraft instruments, and torpedo fuses, for the government at cost. Following the war, he established, through the Bulova Foundation, the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking to aid in the rehabilitating of disabled veterans. In 1950, he established the Bulova Research & Development Laboratory which provided guidance systems, infrared sensors, and electronic systems for the military. In 1952, he launched the research basis for developing an electro-mechanical watch. In 1953, the Accutron watch is imagined by the Swiss engineer Max Hetzel who worked for Bulova both in Switzerland and in the USA (Hetzel is the one on the photo, not Arde Bulova!). After years of development by Hetzel and his team, the Accutron watch is presented on the market. It is considered to be the first "electronical watch." By the time of Arde Bulova's death at age 68, the company controlled about half the time piece market in North America and annual sales surpassed $80 million.
Bio by: Iola
Family Members
Advertisement
