1950 Rare Bulova Flip Top "Secret Photo" 10K Gold Filled
Ref: 3249078
Specification
Lugs : 18mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : 10K Rolled Gold
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as "Watch Only" and therefore comes with no original Bulova box or Bulova paperwork. The watch comes paired with an 18mm leather strap. The watch is from Circa. 1950 is in worn, vintage condition but overall very good as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 1950 Rare Bulova Flip Top "Secret Photo" with a 22mm 10K Gold Filled case and a 40mm lug-to-lug and 11mm case thickness making for a comfortable fit on the wrist. On the right side is a domed crown, the slim bezel is delicately decorated with an intricate pattern. A domed crystal sits above the white dial with an outer minute track, gilt Arabic numeral and dagger indexes mark the hours that radiate around the dial. At 6 o’clock a small second sub-dial. Slim sword hands complete this stylish rare dress watch. Below the sub-dial, we find a latch that when pressed opens a secret compartment where you could place a “Secret Photo”. Inside a Manually Wound 17 Jewel L1 movement. The watch comes fitted on an 18mm leather strap.
Personal Note
The idea of this watch fascinates me, especially as there is a theory that this model was even used by spies, you can totally imagine it in the 1950s with a James Bond-like character with his target under his watch to check against! But the reality is probably far more lovely with people having the photo of their loved one under the flip... Regardless, what a cool watch and piece of history.
The Brand
Bulova Company was founded in 1875 by Joseph Bulova. Based in New York, they moved to 580 Fifth Avenue in 1920. In 1923 Bulova Watch Inc was introduced. 1927, on the rooftop of 580 Fifth Avenue, he set up an observatory to be able to determine the universal time precisely. In 1941, Joseph Bulova decided to increase his company's reach by utilising television advertising, producing the world’s first television advert, it was the first time that commercial advertising was allowed on US television. He developed standardised watch production and was the first to create a fully electronic watch using tuning-fork technology. Bulova has collaborated with many people and organisations including Lindbergh and NASA. During the very first moonwalk, a Bulova timer was placed in the sea of tranquillity. The company was bought by Japan’s Citizen Watch Company in 2008.