Bulova Chronograph C - "Stars & Stripes", early 1970s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bulova Chronograph C - "Stars & Stripes", early 1970s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: Bulova (maker)
Date: early 1970s
Historical period: Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Country of origin: United States
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 43 mm
Dealer: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York
Stock no.: Product 3695457857
Credit line: Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (product 3695457857)
Catalogue title (original): Bulova Chronograph C - "Stars & Stripes" (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number Product 3695457857), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated early 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 43 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

We admit it, we do tend to get carried away pontificating about vintage watches. Whether it is the history of a particular piece or some oft-forgotten sidenote in the development of a particular case design or movement, there are numerous elements to vintage timepieces that make them so desirable. On the other hand, much like women, sometimes all it takes to get us excited about a particular timepiece are some killer looks. Case in point: This unusual and colorful Bulova Chronograph "C". Dating from the early 1970s, this steel wristwatch is sized at an impressive 43mm, a substantial beast far larger than many of its contemporaries and brilliantly sized for the modern wrist. It features an uncommon and extremely colorful exotic dial with red, white, and blue elements which has earned it the nickname "Stars and Stripes" by collectors. With warmly patinated oversized luminescent hour plots and red-tipped hands, there is a lot to look at. Powered by a Valjoux 7736 manual-winding chronograph unit (as found in Heuer Autavias from the same era), this Bulova has the braun to back up the looks. Paired up with a multi-colored nylon strap, it is the watch to wear when grilling up some burgers and brats on the 4th Of July - or whenever you want to wear a watch that will put a smile on your face from its sheer fun factor!

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Mechanisms mentioned

Chronograph — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Analog/Shift — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"Bulova Chronograph C - "Stars & Stripes", early 1970s." Analog/Shift (dealer), New York, Product 3695457857. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/bulova-chronograph-c-stars-stripes-f9df17.