The story of the watch empire built by Joseph Bulova, who emigrated alone from Bohemia at the age of 19, can now be viewed on YouTube in the 150th-anniversary documentary "AMERICA TELLING TIME - Bulova's 150-Year Journey." Following its release on Amazon Prime in the United States, this film is now available for free with Japanese subtitles. It is a valuable piece of video content that allows viewers to experience the brand's 150-year history, intertwined with humanity's great achievements, including the moon landing, Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, and the innovation of the tuning-fork watch.

In 1870, a 19-year-old Bohemian (now Czech Republic) youth arrived alone in America. His name was Joseph Bulova. Who could have imagined back then that this one immigrant, who dreamed of success in a new land as a skilled watchmaker, would go on to build a watch empire that would continue to mark American time for the next 150 years?

What makes this documentary so compelling is its ability to trace Bulova's continuous pursuit of technological innovation through a wealth of archival footage. The scene of the observatory established on the rooftop of its Fifth Avenue building in the 1920s remains a striking memory, symbolizing the relentless quest for precision.

The highlight is the development story of the "Accutron," the world's first tuning-fork wristwatch, introduced in 1960. Replacing the conventional escapement mechanism, this innovative watch, driven by electronic circuitry, was orders of magnitude more precise and accurate than any other watch at the time. As proof, it was adopted in fields requiring extreme precision, such as by X-15 pilots and SR-71 Blackbird pilots.

Further moving episodes highlight Bulova's role in the history of human space exploration. The crucial role of the Accutron in NASA's space program was not merely a testament to its technical reliability. The story of it being used as a backup watch during the Apollo 15 moon landing, making it "the only privately owned watch to reach the moon," is sure to touch many hearts.

Bulova watches were always present alongside humanity's great endeavors. Models like the "Lone Eagle," commemorating Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, and the "Lady "Lindy," honoring Amelia Earhart's achievement, can be described as more than mere commemorative items; they embody the spirit of human adventure in watch form.

What emerges through the film is the fact that Bulova is not just a watch manufacturer, but a "brand with soul." Its history as a pioneer in advertising and marketing is also conveyed with the persuasive power unique to video.

Bulova launched the first-ever radio advertisement nationwide in 1926 and broadcast the first-ever television commercial during a Brooklyn Dodgers game on July 1, 1941. Viewing these innovative initiatives through archival footage from the era allows for a real appreciation of the significance of efforts to embed the cultural value of watches into society.

The connections with icons of the era such as Johnny Weissmuller, Muhammad Ali, Frank Sinatra, and Marc Anthony are vividly brought back to life through archival images. They chose Bulova not simply because it was a precise watch, but because it was an object that made the wearer feel "boldness," "pride," and "a spirit of adventure."

Furthermore, the company's commitment to social contribution can be deeply understood through the film. The history of releasing a women's collection ahead of other companies in 1924, and engaging with the social issue of equal pay for equal work in the 1972 "Equal Pay Equal Time" advertisement. Additionally, the "Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking," established after World War II, provided watchmaking skills to returning soldiers injured in the war, giving them a new purpose and reason to live. These stories are etched in our hearts with the emotion that only film can provide.

When learning about history, there is no longer a need to read specialized books. This documentary, available on YouTube, serves as excellent educational content for understanding the 20th century through the lens of the Bulova brand.

The story of Bulova, which has continued to mark time for 150 years, is a cinematic poem of human passion and creativity that resonates across eras. The dreams of immigrants, the relentless pursuit of technological innovation, contributions to society, and hope for the future. Through this documentary, we experience firsthand the "soul" of a brand that transcends the product itself.