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Bulova Chronograph D (Ref. 909) "Valjoux Cal. 7734", 1971 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bulova Chronograph D (Ref. 909) "Valjoux Cal. 7734", 1971

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Bulova (maker)
Date
1971
Country of origin
United States
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
BLVCHRD909
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (BLVCHRD909)
Catalogue title (original)
1971 Bulova Chronograph D (Ref. 909) "Valjoux Cal. 7734" (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number BLVCHRD909), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated 1971. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Craft & Tailored

The vintage Bulova obsession in the watch community is very real and here to stay! The unique and funky watches that Bulova made from the 60s-80s are always a cause for conversation. Ranging from colorful dive watches, chronographs, and all the way to eccentric electric watches like the famous Accutron. Bulova was in full force in the 1970s, producing a number of uniquely designed and styling chronographs that catered to a younger market of the era. Today, this Bulova design language is more celebrated than ever as these once-forgotten models are once again getting the love they deserve. This Chronograph D ref. 909 employs the Bulova Cal. 14EBD, which is a rebranded Valjoux Cal. 7734 and one of the most robust and functional movements of the 70s. Everything about the ref. 909 oozes 1970s sport watch aesthetics, from the sunburst-brushed tonneau-style case to the multi-colored grey and white dial with orange accents. SPECS Stock # BLVCHRD909 Brand Bulova Style Chronograph D Model 909 Serial N1 Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Grey / White / Orange Millimeters 38 Strap Bulova Stainless Steel Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The impressive case is believed to remain unpolished, boasting all of the factory finishing, chamfers, and geometry expected from a 1970s tonneau-style case. The case exhibits gentle signs of use that would be excepted from a lightly worn wristwatch of its age. The case retains its original pump pushers and Bulova-signed crown. The case back also remains in crips, unpolished condition, with all of its factory markings fully intact. The original Bulova bracelet retains 18 links that exhibit minimal stretch and will fit up to a 7 1/2-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The ultra-retro and super charming multi-colored chronograph dial features a running seconds sub-register at 9 o'clock and a minute totalizer at 3 o'clock. The dial itself is in near-flawless condition, with no damage present, and the only element of age is a very subtle spotted texture that enhances the vintage aesthetic of the watch. The tritium lume dots and hands have achieved a matching orange patina and neither the hands nor the dial exhibit degradation when inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES

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 timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: 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.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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