Attention University of Texas fans. If you’ve ever wanted to wear the team’s famous Hook ‘em Horns sign on your watch, here’s your chance.
Stetson has partnered with Bulova on a collection of watches that will feature not only a Texas longhorn skull, but also an American bison.
The partnership between the two venerable companies — Stetson was founded in 1865 and Bulova in 1875 — runs deeper than a conventional collaboration. Louise Bulova and Ira Guilden, who later served as chairman and president of the John B. Stetson Co., were married in 1930 and after World War II in 1945, Arde Bulova, son of Joseph Bulova, founded the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking to provide tuition-free training and dedicated job placement to disabled veterans. Following the closure of the school in 1993, Bulova and Stetson came together to create the Bulova Stetson Fund. That fund, now run by Stetson, supports education, the arts, accessibility and veterans’ initiatives.
In celebration of this partnership, the Fund is making a $50,000 donation to the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, the only technical school devoted to disabled veterans in the U.S.
The Bulova x Stetson collection features two 39mm automatic men’s timepieces that feature a silver-tone stainless steel case, a domed sapphire crystal, an onion crown with a black onyx cabochon and a 21-jewel automatic movement visible through an exhibition case back printed with the silhouette of a Stetson hat encircled by a laurel wreath.
The Bison: A Symbol of Resilience model, which has an alligator grain black leather strap, and The Longhorn: A Symbol of Strength and Heritage timepiece, with a brown Western-style leather strap, top-stitched with a matching pattern, both retail for $750.
“This exciting collaboration is built on a shared legacy of American ingenuity, craftsmanship and service,” said Jeffrey Cohen, president of Citizen Watch America, parent of Bulova. “Bulova and Stetson have come together not only to honor our rich history, but to support the mission of the Bulova Stetson Fund, which embodies our commitment to education, the arts, accessibility and veteran initiatives.”
“This collaboration brings together two iconic American brands, uniting Stetson’s Western heritage with Bulova’s longstanding American roots in watchmaking. We’re excited to enter the watch category with a capsule that portrays our love of the West and extends the Stetson lifestyle category portfolio. The timepieces carry the character of Stetson and meet the high standards both brands are known for,” added Robert Dundon, chief executive officer of Stetson.
The watches will be sold on the Bulova and Stetson websites as well as at select retailers.
