Vintage Bulova watch boxes

Submitted by mybulova_admin on March 14, 2013 - 6:08am

Please share photos of your vintage Bulova boxes. Please indicate a year and model of watch associated with the box if possible.

mybulova_admin
Posted March 14, 2013 - 6:12am

I'll start off by posting a recent purchase. Whilst we see plenty of presentation boxes that hold the watch we don't see too many early outer boxes such as this. The inside artwork suggest late 1920s or early 30s.

1920/30s Buova outer watch box.

1920/30s Buova outer watch box.

I think most of these would have ended up in the trash, the owner only keeping the presentation box.

Paleotime
Posted March 14, 2013 - 10:36am

Very nice.  We should be able to come up with an earliest possible date by using the Bulova Observatory reference.  Maybe the tagline "Americas Finest Timepiece"  would narrow it down as well.  Cool find, I'm glad you posted it.

mybulova_admin
Posted March 15, 2013 - 7:26am

In reply to by Paleotime

March 1930 is about the first time we see adverts showing the Bulova Observatory building on Fifth Avenue, so I'd probably date the box to around then.  83 year old card board box....very nice!

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 10:54am

I call these "Point of Sale" Boxes. I expect that the store sold it in addition to the watch for an extra amount. Special Occasions. My best guess is the late 1950's early 1960's.

Edit - 5/21/13 Photos added back in ( not sure where they went)

Geoff Baker
Posted March 17, 2013 - 5:32am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

Doesn't it seem like they should have shown a TREASURER in that TREASURE chest?

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 11:43am

Late 1920's

Edit - 5/21/13 Photos added back in ( not sure where they went )

Note that the inside watch holder of both these boxes has a piece to stand (prop) it up for display.

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 11:45am

1930's

Edit - 5/21/13 Photos added back in ( not sure where they went)

Did you know that the watch rises up out of the box when the lids are opened?

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 11:47am

1940's

Edit - 5/21/13 Photos added back in ( not sure where they went)

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 11:50am

1950's

It is the box below the Mark (at least I recall it being Mark) noted as being transitional from the Academy Award. The exterior is the same except 'Oscar" has been replaced by 'Lady Bulova'. The inside AA 'curtain' detail is replaced by the tan colored material.

 

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 11:52am

1960's

Edit - 5/21/13 Photos added back in ( not sure where they went )

Geoff Baker
Posted March 14, 2013 - 11:56am

1970's

Edit - 5/21/13 Photos added back in ( not sure where they went )

There were several variants of the octagon box, including a couple that had watch names in them

...and last but not the least, my favorite of all, a plastic (left) and REAL WOOD (right) model Accuton display clam shell

 

JP
Posted March 14, 2013 - 2:11pm

Just how many Woodies do you have and what was your address again?? ; ^ )

Geoff Baker
Posted March 15, 2013 - 5:53am

HAD three, SOLD two, NEVER, EVER will get rid of the last one (you can have my Woody when you pry it from my cold, dead, wrist). I moved, I can't remember my address.

mybulova_admin
Posted March 15, 2013 - 6:38am

Geoff thats an amazing collection!!!

Bob Bruno
Posted March 15, 2013 - 9:01am

Goddess of Time. Ad from 1955                  

plainsmen
Posted March 15, 2013 - 9:39am

Nice Bob.... cool green color.

Geoff Baker
Posted March 16, 2013 - 5:29am

In reply to by plainsmen

Jerin.......just imagine how it looks in the 'pale green glow'.........

Bob Bruno
Posted March 15, 2013 - 9:51am

Yeah Plains now all I need is the watch to go with it! :)

Geoff Baker
Posted April 14, 2013 - 6:16pm

Picked these up a couple weeks ago.....

In case you're wondering......it doesn't really say ANYTHING!

 

William Smith
Posted April 14, 2013 - 7:14pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

Very nice.  Love that red and gold wax seal emblem on the paperwork.  Great additions to your collection Geoff.

bobbee
Posted May 18, 2013 - 5:32pm

This box has been seen in a 1929 ad with a Ambassador in it.

Can anyone identify the factory? I have tried elsewhere, and it was suggested as the case factory at Sag Harbour, but I think it is not.

Come on guys, thinking caps on!

Geoff Baker
Posted May 21, 2013 - 3:03pm

....but, would you not agree Mark, that if these two still had watches IN THEM, they would be among the most desirable of all the Bulova boxes pictured here? Talk about an NOS find......that would be the motherlode.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted May 21, 2013 - 4:08pm

Geoff,

There was a 3818A in the Brown bag pictured.

Reverend Rob
Posted May 21, 2013 - 6:13pm

Methinks the factory is the Swiss one. The text describes American 'methods', in use from the start. That and the age leads me to believe the factory pictured is not on American soil. 

Bob Bruno
Posted May 22, 2013 - 10:44am

Can't figure out if this box is from the 60's or 70's? Anyone know for sure?

Bob Bruno
Posted May 22, 2013 - 12:03pm

Thanks Mark :)

Geoff Baker
Posted May 23, 2013 - 5:33am

That guys necktie screams 1970's though doesn't it? Caravelle's of the era (mid 70's) were also being sold in that style of display case

Geoff Baker
Posted May 23, 2013 - 5:45am

Here's an interesting Bulova "Excellence Collection" Clam shell display case - it has a factory applied foil seal of the President of the United States.

The BIG SURPRISE comes when the case is opened........

Yes, it is Richard Nixon's signature, on a Caravelle watch!

Geoff Baker
Posted November 12, 2013 - 6:15am

In reply to by mybulova_admin

I doubt it Stephen, it's more likely a presentation piece that was given either to White House visitors or political campaign contributors. The date code is 1972, the year of Nixon's re-election (resigned in 1974). I saw one sell on the bay recently on a best offer, the seller told me he got $1000 USD for it. This one is NOS (imagine that - gb with an NOS watch!). The seller I bought this one from told me the owner was BOTH a regular visitor to the White House and a large campaign donor. She wouldn't tell me who it was but based on her cryptic comments I have an pretty good idea. What fascinates me is that it's a Caravelle watch ( cheaper ) in a Bulova clam shell - I assume to get enough space to slap the Presidential Seal sticker on!

Reverend Rob
Posted July 3, 2019 - 4:22pm

In reply to by Geoff Baker

I've seen similar watches available directly from the White House Gift shop. Actual Signed items as well.

JP
Posted November 11, 2013 - 6:00pm

Very nice, too bad we don't collect Caravell watches.

JP
Posted November 11, 2013 - 8:18pm

Yes but we don't have a data base for them here. If we did it would be interesting to see how many different styles there are. I am betting there are a bunch.

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:46pm

Thought I would share several varieties of watch boxes that I have/had:

1940s:

1950s:

1960s:

 

1970s:

 

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:23pm

Late 50s His Excellency:

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:25pm

Late 50s Waterproof:

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:27pm

Late 50s and very early 60s S.V.P. (Style.Value.Performance):

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:30pm

60s Bulova 30:

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:32pm

60s President:

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:34pm

60s Regatta 23:

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:36pm

60s Waterproof:

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:41pm

60s Sea King:

 

Andersok
Posted January 24, 2015 - 8:44pm

60s Jet Clipper: