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Bulova "Academy Award" advertising postcard, ca. 1950.

In the late 1940s, Bulova signed a contract with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Hollywood, California, for the right to use the words "Academy Award" and "Oscar", as well as its copyrighted image, in connection with the sale of watches.

Bulova then paid $154,000 to produce a wide range of watches known as the "Academy Award". They come in a wide variety of styles, each model bearing a unique variant designation with different letters.

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The lawsuit regularly cited in support of the theory that the contract between the Academy and Bulova was terminated in 1952 actually involved an entirely different entity, unrelated to the actual Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In 1946, this company changed its name from Champion Play Corporation to Academy Award Products Inc. and then filed 17 trademark applications for the words "Academy Award" used in conjunction with a wide variety of products, including watches and clocks, which the company didn't even sell. Subsequently, in 1950, the company sued Bulova for trademark infringement for its use of these words. After filing the suit, the company's "Academy Award" trademarks were cancelled by the Patent Office on the grounds that they were falsely obtained "for the purpose of harassing others who were or might hereafter make legitimate use of these words in business". The company's complaint against Bulova was subsequently dismissed with prejudice, leaving Bulova's conventional claim for damages to be decided. In 1955, Bulova won its claim for damages. This decision was subsequently upheld on appeal.

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Beyond its historical aspect, the beauty of the graphics is there to make it a superb decorative object for any history and watchmaking enthusiast. This card can be used as a beautiful tabletop object or paperweight, with its thick frame of magnetized acrylic sheets.