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Hot Off The Presses, Hands-On With The Bulova Special Edition GRAMMY Precisionist

The Special Edition Bulova given to last night’s first-time GRAMMY winners.

By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large

Bulova holds a special place in watchmaking. Beginning with its birth in Biel, Switzerland in 1875, the brand has long associated with innovation (like the tuning fork mechanism) and recognizing innovators (Bulova presented aviator Charles Lindbergh with a watch and $1,000 after he made his nonstop Atlantic crossing).
 

Bulova has also long been associated with musicians. Elvis Presley owned an Accutron Spaceview (one of the brand's most audacious watches). Songwriters Noel Coward and Hoagy Carmichael both owned models with wrist-hugging, curved rectangular cases.



But Bulova is also about the long view. And for the last three years, Bulova has been the official timepiece partner sponsor of the Recording Academy Grammy Awards, with performances by legendary past nominees and by honoring first-time winners at events during GRAMMY weekend.
 

And this year, Bulova is really blew things up by hosting an exceptional event with a performance by Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan.

Tell Me Something Good

Khan’s career also spans decades and on top of receiving twenty- two Grammy nominations and winning ten Grammy Awards, the singer and multi-instrumentalist (she's a kick-ass drummer and bassist as well as a singer) has influenced generations of recording artists.

One of the reasons Khan is so ageless is her ability to transcend genres and labels. She first hit the charts fronting the funk group Rufus in the 1970s. As a solo artist, she crossed over with the disco hit “I’m Every Woman.” In the 1980s, she helped bring hip hop to the masses with “I Feel For You” featuring Melle Mel.
 

This year, Khan will release “Hello Happiness,” her first new album in twelve years. And she’ll be hitting the road, touring with Michael McDonald.

I Feel For You

Bulova and the Recording Academy have also announced that a new Special Edition Grammy timepiece will be gifted to this year’s first-time Grammy Award recipients.
 

The stainless steel case of this Special Edition Grammy watch features a percussion-themed design. It’s finished with a gold-tone crown along with a dial made of grammium — a custom alloy developed by John Billings, the craftsman who creates, by hand, the gramophone statue that is presented to Grammy winners.
 

The black silicone strap of the Special Edition Grammy features a stainless steel insert which resemble the frets on a guitar. The watch will be personalized to each first-time award recipient with a customized glass case back including the Grammy logo stamp, the award, and the recipient’s name.
 

Higher Love

For Bulova, collaborating with the Recording Academy and legends like Khan reflects the company’s history.
 

“Keeping in line with our ‘History of Firsts’ ethos, we are honored to continue creating personal mementos recognizing first-time Grammy Award winners for their hard work and dedication to their craft,” said Michael Benavente, Managing Director of Bulova. “To have an icon like Chaka Khan help us celebrate this and our ongoing relationship with the Recording Academy is truly a privilege.”
 

And the Grammy’s are equally thrilled with Bulova’s contributions.
 

“We are thrilled to continue this very special partnership with the iconic Bulova brand as we present first-time Grammy Award Winners with a uniquely-crafted, exclusive, Special Edition Grammy Timepiece,” adds Evan Greene, Chief Marketing Officer for the Recording Academy. “This is yet another example of how together, we create innovative ways to celebrate music’s cultural impact and its ability to inspire.”
 

For more information, visit Bulova’s website.

(Photography by Liam O’Donnell)

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