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In the immediate aftermath of World War II, American watchmaking entered a new golden age. There was a palpable sense of optimism and a return to refined elegance, and no company captured this spirit better than Bulova. While they had been instrumental in the war effort, the return to civilian production saw the creation of some of the most beautiful and stylish dress watches of the 20th century. This Bulova, likely a “Princeton” model, is a spectacular and deeply personal example of that post-war renaissance.
During the 1940s, Bulova was a master of design, producing a dizzying array of models to suit every taste. The use of diamond-set dials was reserved for their more upscale offerings, transforming a handsome watch into a luxurious statement piece. This was the kind of watch a person would buy to mark a significant achievement or receive as a cherished gift. Powering this timepiece is the legendary Bulova Caliber 10AK, a 17-jewel manual-winding movement made right in the U.S.A. These movements were the backbone of the company, beautifully crafted, incredibly robust, and known for their reliability.
This particular example is a true stunner, defined by its incredible “fancy lug” case design. The 32mm, 10k gold-filled case features dramatic, articulated “crab” or “teardrop” lugs that give the watch a bold and architectural presence on the wrist. It’s a design that is pure 1940s swagger. The dial is equally impressive. Its off-white surface has aged to a beautiful, warm patina and is adorned with a fantastic combination of stylized, almost Breguet-like applied gold Arabic numerals and eight sparkling, genuine single-cut diamond hour markers. The subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock provides a classic touch, and the original gilt stick hands are in excellent, preserved condition.
What makes this watch truly one-of-a-kind is the story elegantly engraved on its case back. It reads, “ROGER J. KEARNS – DUBUQUE, IOWA – XMAS – 1946.” This isn’t just a watch; it’s a Christmas gift from nearly 80 years ago, a specific moment in time captured in gold and steel. It’s a personal memento, a piece of one family’s history that has survived the decades in remarkable shape. The watch shows honest wear, with some patina on the case and a gentle aging to the dial, but to us, that’s what gives it soul. This is the story of a life well-lived.
