Bulova 'Caravelle' Cushion Case

We’ve joined forces with our friends at 10:25 Vintage, a New York-based operation with a shared enthusiasm for interesting vintage timepieces, to bring you a robust handpicked collection that is both exceptional and affordable. Perfect for the discerning collector on a budget, these pieces provide an excellent entry point to the joys of vintage watches. 

Before the Quartz Crisis, Bulova had an obsession with precision. Almost from the founding of their plant in 1912, they implemented a system of mass production never before seen in the world of horology. This guaranteed an unprecedented interchangeability in their parts. The obsession with precision spurred them to produce the most accurate movement for a wristwatch. The aptly-named Accutron, with its tuning fork in lieu of the typical balance wheel, was the first ever electronic watch and is a legend in itself. 

Their Space Age rivalry with Omega was fierce and acrimonious. Even though the Accutron wasn't selected as the official "first watch on the moon" (that honor of course went to the Omega Speedmaster), their timepieces did go to space. The movement that powered the Accutron was used in some fashion in almost every other timing device during NASA's Apollo missions outside the wrist-worn Omega Speedmasters. 

Their reputation for technical precision and accuracy was perhaps surmounted by a flair for the unique in their designs. With a distinctive visual style that attracted the respect of the American public (in part due to their innovative ad campaigns, including the first-ever television commercial in 1941), Bulova's watches from the 1960s and 1970s certainly have an engaging appeal. They reserved their most distinctive (dare we say idiosyncratic) designs for the Caravelle line, which was launched in 1962 with a collection of jeweled watches. 

The watch we have here exudes a cool vibe. The cushion case with brush finishing screams 1970s, and is reminiscent of the Bulova 666 Divers. At an attractive size for modern eyes, it feels comfortable on the wrist. The deep blue freckled dial and applied stick markers give it a distinctive retro look, without being as aggressively 70s as bell-bottoms. As the darling of budget-conscious collectors, Bulova has certainly earned its reputation for dependability, and pieces like this one prove that in the realm of design, they were no slackers either. 

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.