Bulova Accutron Sir Richard Branson Limited Edition Watch
Bulova Corporation announced the BULOVA ACCUTRON Sir Richard Branson Limited Edition Watch, celebrating a partnership that highlights its commitment to innovation on a global level. The new Swiss-made watch was developed in collaboration with global innovator and entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, the official brand ambassador for Bulova’s premier brand, BULOVA ACCUTRON. A prototype of the new watch was unveiled in New York coinciding with a major meeting of BULOVA ACCUTRON customers from around the globe.
Bulova Corporation announced the appointment of Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, as the brand ambassador for BULOVA ACCUTRON in March 2011, noting that Branson exemplifies the values and dedication that have guided Bulova Corporation from the beginning.
Branson has donated the proceeds from his work as BULOVA ACCUTRON brand ambassador to Virgin Unite, Virgin Group’s non-profit foundation, created by Branson in 2004 to tackle the world’s social and environmental problems, using business as a force for good. Bulova Corporation will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the BULOVA ACCUTRON Sir Richard Branson Limited Edition watch to Virgin Unite as well.
Only 500 of the new BULOVA ACCUTRON Sir Richard Branson Limited Edition Watches will be made available. Each watch will be numbered on the caseback and on the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity to show its position within the run of 500, after which the molds will be destroyed forever. The Swiss-made watch has been developed in collaboration with Branson and carries his signature endorsement etched on the caseback.
The self-winding ETA 2893 movement is certified by the Contrôle officiel suisse des chronomètres (COSC) as meeting the highest standards of timekeeping. This new creation also includes a 24-hour GMT second time zone reading on the dial.
Crafted of titanium, with black alligator strap, the watch includes sapphire crystals over both the dial and the open exhibition caseback, to permit a first-hand view of the classic, 21-jewel self-winding mechanical movement in action. On the case, two separate crowns, at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock, control the standard and GMT settings. Measuring 46mm, the watch provides water resistance to 100 meters.
The dial, in black, is engraved with a stylized representation of the globe, with latitude and longitude lines included. The hands are in anodized aluminum, with the standard hour, minute and second hands in blue, and the GMT hand in red, with a crescent-shaped tip. The perimeter of the watch dial includes the names of 24 destinations, each corresponding to one of the world’s 24 time zones. By adjusting the city ring to the GMT hand, wearers can instantly see the time in the selected city. Also included is a date window at 4 o’clock.
The watch will be shipped in a specially crafted limited edition case, and is scheduled for release in the fall of 2012 at a projected retail price of U.S. $3,500.
Technical details
Movement
Automatic, COSC-certified ETA 2893-2 calibre, 21 jewels, 42-hour power reserve
Functions
Hours, minutes, seconds, date and 24-hour dual time zone
Case
Titanium, 46 mm
Sapphire crystal, front and back
Crowns at 2 and 4 o’clock
Water-resistant to 100 m (10 ATM)
Dial
Black with guilloché time zones
Rotating flange displaying the second time zone in 24 cities
Date window at 4 o’clock
Strap
Black leather with titanium buckle
