Bulova Military 96A102

Bulova Hack Field Military Style Watch - Personally Owned & Worn By Ian McDonald with Two COAs

Today's offering showcases this deeply personal and historically resonant piece from our COT Celebrity Collection: A Bulova 96A102 Commemorative Hack wristwatch personally owned and worn by the legendary musician and co-founder of King Crimson and Foreigner, Ian McDonald, the pioneering musician whose work helped shape both progressive rock and arena rock. Ian McDonald was a founding member of King Crimson, where his compositions and innovative use of Mellotron, woodwinds, and layered arrangements were central to the creation of In the Court of the Crimson King, an album that did not simply introduce a band, but helped define an entire genre and permanently expanded the vocabulary of rock music. He later became a founding core member of Foreigner, contributing to one of the most commercially successful rock bands of all time and achieving something rare - shaping both the experimental edge and the global mainstream of modern rock. Beyond his foundational role in King Crimson and his later global success with Foreigner, Ian McDonald’s lifetime achievements place him among the most respected and influential English musicians of his generation. This watch is not a commemorative object or stage accessory, but a personal wristwatch worn by McDonald - a practical object that quietly accompanied a life of composition, touring, recording, and creation later in life, representing the private, human side of a figure whose work is often experienced on a monumental scale. The watch itself is a Bulova 96A102 Commemorative Hack Watch that pays homage to the company's vintage military watches. Aesthetically it has the hallmarks of militlary-style wristwatches: a stainless steel case and a highly legible black dial designed for clarity and function. The dial features bold luminous Arabic numerals, a railroad minute track, and a subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock, paired with luminous syringe-style hands. The crown is signed by Bulova, and the stainless steel caseback is engraved with Bulova markings and water-resistance text. It was very well loved by Mr. McDonald. It clearly saw much wrist time. It remains in overall good vintage condition with wear and also hairlines throughout the crystal. We have not cleaned or polished the watch or done anything to the outside of it — we left it just as we acquired it, which includes many signs of wear and dirt. On the inside, one of our Master Watchmakers has installed a new battery making it ready for enjoyment. The original band worn by Mr. McDonald is no longer functional due to age and use, but it will be included with the watch for historical completeness. For the finishing touch, we have equipped it with a new leather strap, making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. international warranty on the movement and its function and a full-page custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity. Also accompanying it is a Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance from a well-known auction house.