Bulova Gold-Filled Wristwatch, John F. Kennedy Campaign Gift
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1960
This Bulova wristwatch features a 25 mm gold-filled tonneau-style case with fluted or stepped hooded lug details. The silver-toned dial displays applied or printed gilt Arabic numeral hour markers, gold hands, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at the 6 o'clock position.
Internally, the source reports an unadjusted 15-jewel Swiss movement. The case back is reportedly engraved 'JFK1960'. Sourced as a presidential campaign gift from John F. Kennedy to Speaker of the House John W. McCormack, the watch is fitted with a black lizard-embossed leather strap measuring 10 inches in overall length.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- Silver dial with arabic number markers and seconds subdial
- Type
- Dress wristwatch
- Strap
- 16 XL lizzard embossed leather strap with gold tone clasp
- Movement
- 15J unadjusted swiss movement
- Case Size
- 25mm
- Engraving
- JFK1960
- Case Material
- Gold filled
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Bulova
Design
- Visible features
- • Cushion or tonneau-shaped gold-tone case with distinctive fluted horizontal banding above and below the dial • Silver dial with applied or printed gilt Arabic numerals and a square subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock • Gilt feuille or lance-style hour and minute hands • Black textured leather strap with visible reptile or lizard grain pattern
- Source Reported Provenance
- The auction description claims the watch was a gift from John F. Kennedy to John W. McCormack in recognition of his involvement in the 1960 presidential campaign. It is further claimed the watch was presented to Francis X. McCabe. The stated provenance indicates the item was 'acquired directly from John W. McCormack' and subsequently held in a private collection in Worcester, Massachusetts.
- Mechanism and Case Back Details
- The movement is identified as an unadjusted 15-jewel Swiss mechanism. These internal components were not visible in the provided reference materials. The source documentation reports that the case back is engraved with the text 'JFK1960'. This specific engraving was not visible in the provided photographs.
- Physical Description and Construction
- The timepiece is described as a 25 mm gold-filled watch. It features a silver-toned dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and gold-colored hands, alongside a subsidiary seconds subdial. The watch is fitted with an '16 XL' lizard-embossed leather strap with a gold-tone clasp. The total length of the piece is stated as 10 inches.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement and case back engraving are described in the catalogue but not shown in the provided photograph
- Research required: Historical provenance claims rely entirely on auction house description