Bulova’s Inspiring Documentary: A Heartfelt Tribute to Veterans and Women’s Rights!

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In commemoration of its 150th year in operation, Bulova Watch Company based in New York boasts a rich history filled with notable accomplishments. Among these, however, one particular achievement truly shines:

[In other words, during Bulova’s 150-year anniversary celebration, Michael Benavente, the managing director, highlights many significant milestones and successes the brand has enjoyed, but a single achievement really stands out.]

At the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, Benavente, speaking after the EbMaster and Golden Globes screening of Michael Culyba’s documentary “America Telling Time: 150 Years of Bulova,” shared that the segment about Bulova’s work with the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative was the one that resonated most deeply with him and other viewers he spoke to. The company backs this program.

A charitable organization operates a tuition-free school teaching watchmaking to veterans with disabilities, also ensuring job placement opportunities specifically for them. In the movie, these former servicemen, some of whom were previously homeless, shared how this initiative helped them rediscover their dignity and provided them a way to earn an income despite their physical or mental difficulties. For many, it was nothing short of a lifesaver, as they had been considering suicide due to their circumstances.

Benavente shared that the Veterans Watchmaker Initiative was established by Sam Cannan, formerly a member of Baltimore’s SWAT team and a skilled marksman.

Benavente explained that a man was severely injured when he fell from a three-story building during an active shooting incident. Miraculously, an awning broke his fall, but he was immediately disabled by the Baltimore Police Department. After studying at the Joseph Bulova School of Watchmaking, this man had a distinguished career as a watchmaker. He spent many years living in Switzerland, and the project you see today is a heartfelt endeavor for him to give back because he once found himself in similar circumstances. Therefore, Benavente said, it’s clear that he’s deeply emotional and incredibly passionate about this project, making him a wonderful person to work with. We’re delighted to be supporting him.

The movie spotlights several philanthropic endeavors backed by the company, among them being the Latin Grammys, the Maestro Cares Foundation (established by Marc Anthony), and the We Are Family Foundation (jointly founded by Nile Rodgers). Both Anthony and Rodgers serve as brand representatives for Bulova, have crafted watches exclusively for the company, and play significant roles in the film. Furthermore, Anthony’s wife, Nadia Ferreira – a Paraguayan model and social media influencer – graced the Cannes screening with her presence.

The movie is divided into sections based on themes, instead of unfolding through a chronological sequence of events, and what particularly caught Culyba’s attention was Bulova’s role in championing women’s rights. In the 1970s, for instance, they ran an innovative advertising campaign advocating for equal pay for women.

Culyba mentioned that finding out about their advertising campaign for the Equal Rights Amendment was another thrilling aspect during the filmmaking process. He wasn’t previously aware of it, but he admired the courage and boldness of the company for taking such a strong stance on social and political issues at that time.

In that period, Bulava was strongly supportive of women’s rights, and this sentiment remains resonant for many individuals, both women and men, as it continues to be reflected in the brand.

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2025-05-21 13:23