There are rare occasions in this line of work when you encounter real history that resonates with you. I’ve been fortunate enough through the years to handle a number of important vintage watches, owned by notable people, or simply incredibly rare and historic markers for their makers. These watches are visible and tangible links between the past and present and it’s always a thrill to be able to bear witness to one of these objects, even if only for a moment. 

But let’s face it, most of the time when we’re talking about historically important vintage watches, we’re talking about watches that are historically important to the watch industry itself, and the history of watchmaking. New Hampshire’s Jones & Horan auction house, which specializes in horological auctions and has a knack for finding all kinds of unique and genuinely important pieces, will be selling a watch in their October auction that feels genuinely significant, and hits that Venn Diagram overlap of so many of my personal interests. 

The gold Bulova chronograph seen here was owned by Edward R. Murrow, the famed CBS newsman, who influenced countless journalists and broadcasters and reshaped his industry multiple times. The watch is spectacular, incredibly well preserved, and interesting on a number of levels simply as a horological object. Adding Murrow’s incredibly well documented ownership of the watch into the mix makes it that much more special. 

There are many photographs of Murrow wearing the watch, which he seems to have acquired sometime around 1950 and wore through the later years of his time at CBS. It was on his wrist regularly during “See It Now” broadcasts, and during meetings with President Kennedy during his tenure at the United States Information Agency. Jones & Horan has secured a letter from Casey Murrow, Edward R. Murrow’s son, confirming the provenance of the watch.  

The watch is a little unusual, and there are indications it might have been a special order from Murrow, or perhaps someone on his behalf. It’s in a 14k gold Spillman case, made in Switzerland, which according to Jones & Horan watch specialist Tyler St. Gelais is incredibly uncommon. “This is the only gold Spillman case that I’m aware of existing,” he told me at a preview where I was able to handle the watch coming to auction. 

Another possible sign that the watch was a custom order is its size. It measures 38mm in diameter and 45mm from lug to lug, which is quite large for the 1950s. St. Gelais reasons that it would have been conceivable that Murrow could have reached out to Bulova, headquartered in New York, and had something specific made for him, possibly oversized so he could more easily read and use it. The only part of the watch that’s signed “Bulova” is the dial, which also might indicate a one-off or special order. 

St. Gelais points out that in photos from the “See It Now” days, most of the journalists and their producers are wearing chronographs. Fred Friendly, a producer who worked closely with Murrow and was famously portrayed by Goerge Clooney in Goodnight and Good Luck, wears a Mido chronograph, for example. “All the CBS guys wore chronographs,” St. Gelais told me. “All the news guys—they’re timing things.”

Murrow seems to have favored wearing this Bulova at times when he is actually working as a broadcaster, or at professional events. There are many photos of him wearing a Rolex at social events, but this gold chronograph seems to have been his watch of choice for on-air work, which I think makes it all the more interesting. 

Murrow is not just a towering figure in the history of journalism in the United States, but culturally and socially important as well. He was a true household name to generations, and was a pioneer in his field at a time when the people who brought you the news, on television and the radio, developed a uniquely intimate relationship with their viewers and listeners. That feels a little lost to time in 2026, when so much of the information we consume is ephemeral. Instagram Reels, TikTok clips, and even YouTube videos feel fleeting. But Murrow was a constant presence at a time when the broadcasting landscape was not nearly as competitive. Holding this watch, you feel the weight of that history and Murrow’s significance. 

Edward R. Murrow’s gold Bulova chronograph will be sold in Jones & Horan’s fall auction, ending October 22. More information can be found here.