Bulova wristwatch, chronograph minute and hour counters, circa 1990-2000 — view 1 of 4 — View 1 of 4 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 4 · Image: Antiquorum Genève SA · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Bulova wristwatch, chronograph minute and hour counters, circa 1990-2000

DocumentedDocumented from an auction catalogue; attribution as stated by the auction house.

Maker / attribution: Bulova (brand / maker)
Date: c. 1990-2000
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: United States
Object type: Wristwatch
Materials / technique: stainless steel
Dimensions: diameter 37.6 mm
Auction house: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Lot: Lot 348-29
Credit line: Auction lot record: LOT 29, Hong Kong, March 9th, 2022
Catalogue title (original): Bulova Self-winding, chronograph, minute and hour counters, date; gilded metal and stainless steel (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (lot Lot 348-29), this is a wristwatch by Bulova, made in United States, dated c. 1990-2000. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: stainless steel. Recorded dimensions: diameter 37.6 mm. The record is illustrated with 4 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

Antiquorum catalogue description

Gilded metal and stainless steel, self-winding, round-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with snap-on case-back, cream colour dial with suspended Breguet numerals, white colours recorders, subsidiary seconds at 9 and four horological complications:· 1/8 second chronograph (activated by the two round-shaped push-pieces located on the case-band) with tachometric scale graduated on the dial for 500 metres· Half-instantaneous 30-minute counter (subsidiary dial at 12 o’clock)· 12-hour counter (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)· Half-instantaneous date of the month (aperture at 3 o’clock)

Lot specifications (Antiquorum)

Case No.: 653 150; Material: gilded metal and stainless steel; Bracelet: brown leather Bulova strap; Buckle: gilded metal Bulova buckle; Caliber: Valjoux 7750; Diameter: 37.6 mm.; Signature: dial, case and movement; Accessories: hang tag

Inscriptions & marks

dial, case and movement

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

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
Self-winding (automatic) mechanism — Component

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsRecorded
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksRecorded
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: Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Antiquorum Genève SA — 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 wristwatch, chronograph minute and hour counters, circa 1990-2000." Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva, Lot 348-29. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/bulova-wristwatch-chronograph-minute-and-hour-counters-circa-1990-2000-d9ded0.