In this post, we’ll answer the question, “Is Bulova a Good Watch Brand?”.
Let’s be honest: Watch snobbery is going nowhere. And there will always be a part of the watch-collecting community that believes good watches have to be expensive or rare. Society conditions us to think this way in all aspects of life: cars, holiday destinations, fine wine, you name it. The rare and exclusive things in life sell. But there is a space in the market for non-snobby watch collectors looking for affordable brands, and Bulova fills it nicely.
The company isn’t trying to be anything; it’s not here. It’s just making exceptionally good quality watches for an affordable price. If you’ve asked yourself, “Is Bulova a good watch brand?” just remember that it produces some of the most accurate watches in the world. And deep down, even the elite of the horological world want a slice of that.
If you’re getting into horology, it’s a perfect opportunity for me to talk to you about Bulova. By starting with a blank canvas, there won’t be any misconceptions or predispositions to blur your judgment. Bulova is not just a budget-friendly watch brand. It played a significant historical role in revolutionizing accurate timekeeping, especially during the electronic era of the 1970s and 80s. Intrigued? Read on.
Table of Contents
Bulova’s History
The year was 1875. A Bohemian immigrant named Joseph Bulova opened the J. Bulova Company, a jewelry store on Maiden Lane, New York City. With Joseph’s experience as a goldsmith and watchmaker, the company set out to make quality, American-made pocket watches. When WWI began, Joseph Bulova noticed a shift from pocket watches to wrist-worn timepieces. Never one to fear innovation or change, he believed wristwatches would one day be the future.
The shift to focusing on wristwatches occurred in 1919. Bulova introduced the company’s first complete line of men’s wristwatches and moved to a factory in Biel, Switzerland. Here, it was able to mass-produce watches. In 1926, Bulova produced the first advertisement broadcast on the radio, and the year after, it made the “Lone Eagle” watch. The model commemorated Charles A. Lindbergh’s first non-stop flight across the Atlantic. The company opened its School of Watchmaking in 1945, teaching watchmaking skills to WW2 disabled vets.
The term “Accutron” first appeared in 1951, combining the terms “accurate” and “electronic” into a catchy name. Bulova finally released its electric Accutron watch to the public in 1960 (three years after Hamilton’s first electric watch). This new technology used a 360-hertz tuning fork capable of vibrating 360 times per second, similar to vibrating quartz today. Accutron watches were accurate to within two seconds per day, far exceeding any mechanical watch of today’s standards.
Is Bulova a Good Watch Brand?
Bulova is a good watch brand if value for money and accuracy are essential to you. Now that we’ve examined its history, we can explore the question, “Are Bulova watches good?” in more detail.
Pros
Seeing an affordable price point is refreshing for a watchmaker with as much history as Bulova. Similar to Citizen, it has always been an affordable brand. A few pieces cost over $1,000, some even as high as $3,000. But most fall into the $300-$700 category. They’re a good investment if you want long-term, solid reliability (aside from the odd battery change). Unfortunately, they won’t skyrocket in value like other luxury brands. But put it this way, you could pay lots more for another watch without the guarantee of the same accuracy.
To the average guy who wants some wrist presence, however, they’re excellent. They’re bold and daring; historically, Bulova isn’t afraid to take a chance. From rolling the dice on wristwatches pre-WW1 to producing the world’s first television ad, Bulova goes out on a limb.
Cons
If you’re not a big guy, most Bulova watches aren’t going to work for you. While a big watch or two in a lineup isn’t a dealbreaker, most Bulova watches are over 44mm. Couple that with lug-to-lug lengths consistently over 50 millimeters, and these watches might just be too big.
Some collectors also complain that the life of a Bulova battery doesn’t last as long as the brand says it should. Another con is that some have laughably low water resistance ratings. And because Bulova watches are so affordable, you aren’t going to get state-of-the-art materials. This is worth considering when browsing different brands and their price differences online.
To be fair, this is subjective. But Bulova’s wild, flashy designs typically don’t resonate well with the watch community, although it does produce some classic timepieces. The Bulova Disney watch collaboration can seem a bit gimmicky. If you need a comparison, the brand’s Bulova 96D16 versus the Computron is a case in point.
The Slender Wrist Bulova Watch Picks
Bulova watches have been around for over a century now. That’s quite a long time, and that also means there are a lot of new and vintage watches to choose from. If you’re interested in a Bulova to start your watch collection (or to add to it), we’ve compiled a list of our favorite watches. The best part? These are all currently offered, so you can easily find them.
Best Bulova Diamond Watches
Aside from Bulova’s innovative tuning fork technology, the brand’s watches can also come in captivating diamond-adorned variations. Scintillating stones appear in the Surveyor, Sutton, and Icon collections, showcasing the brand’s penchant for opulence and refinement. Take, for example, the Bulova Icon reference 98D149. It looks surprisingly masculine despite its use of diamonds on the hour track. Bulova experts combine this exciting use of gemstone work with a retrograde date aperture, 300M water resistance, and an alluring sweep seconds hand.
Other examples of Bulova diamond watches include dressier ones, such as the Millenia reference 96E117. This contemporary timepiece features a minimalist black dial and luxurious rose golden hands. Four sparse diamonds positioned on the cardinal points of the bezel surround a stick hour track. It’s one of the brand’s modern takes on the sports watch. It’s complete with a robust steel bracelet and a large 43 mm case size.
The Best Bulova Gold Watch
You may be realizing now that Bulova does not make many small watches. This Bulova gold watch from the Curv collection is no exception, but it’s certainly stunning. It has a slight Royal Oak vibe about it, boasting angular finishes on the case and a neat rose gold-plated stainless steel finish.
The rich blue dial is sporty and attention-demanding. Through the display, you can enjoy a glimpse of the brand’s proprietary high-precision 262 kHz quartz technology. The Curve Chronograph, completing its look on a sporty blue rubber strap, also promises exceptional accuracy of seconds per year.
The Bulova Moon Watch
One of the most exciting stories in Bulova’s history happened in 1971. It’s common knowledge that astronauts of the era famously wore Omega Speedmasters. These Omegas were NASA-owned and the only watches certified for the trip. But a Bulova hitched a ride on Apollo 15. Commander David Scott’s crystal popped off his Speedmaster on his second lunar walk. Rather than go without a timepiece, Scott strapped his backup watch onto his wrist: a Bulova Model #88510/01 chronograph prototype.
Since then, Bulova has paid homage to its contribution to space exploration. It’s not every day that you can buy a watch that’s been to the moon. Released in 2019, the Lunar Pilot is a three-sub-dial chronograph with a very familiar aesthetic that nods to the original model that David Scott wore. Much cheaper than the staggering price tag of that watch ($1.625 million!), this model uses a proprietary ultra-high-frequency quartz movement. It maintains an incredible degree of accuracy.
The watch features hinged pushers at the two and four o’clock positions but wears big on the wrist. While the original was close to 40mm, the modern Bulova moon watch measures 45mm! While that’s big, that measurement isn’t even the issue. It’s the 52-millimeter lug-to-lug measurement that makes it difficult to wear. This gorgeous watch is just too big for most guys, but it’s still pretty cool to look at!
The Best Bulova Automatic Watch
The Bulova Devil Diver, with its vibrant orange dial, is rocking some serious Doxa vibes. Thanks to its unmissable color and water-ready features, it has to be one of the best Bulova automatic watches to collect. It’s a blast from Bulova’s past, sporting US military-inspired features and a distinctively large 44mm turtle-style case. I like that the sapphire glass is the box-type on this design, combining nicely with a screw-down crown and 200M water resistance.
Inside the case is a reliable automatic Japanese movement. The Miyota 821D fuels the watch with a useful 42-hour power reserve. Bulova fits the watch on a supple, quick-drying rubber band that’s great for dipping in and out of water.
The Best Bulova Black Watch
During World War II, Bulova was among very few American watch companies. As such, it took its patriotic responsibilities very seriously. In the 1940s, it produced many instruments, including variometers and altimeters, to aid the war effort. The brand’s Hack watches proved particularly influential during this time, allowing for the perfect synchronization of multiple watches when planning missions. Taking its name from a lock-down mechanism for the running seconds, the Hack watch is still around today.
Its rich black dial, white hour markers, and 38mm case size make it a great small field watch. The luminescent cathedral-like hands and the inner 24-hour track also make it a more affordable alternative to the Hamilton Field watch. This black Bulova hack watch features a boxy crown, a reliable Japanese movement, and a stylish green NATO strap.
Best Bulova Skeleton Watch
Bulova exposes the intricate layers of watchmaking through designs like this skeleton watch in the Maquina design. Its silver-tone accents pair well with a black ion-plated stainless steel case and matching bracelet. The Bulova Maquina offers a modern style for the wrist but wears very large. Its 46mm case with 100M water resistance holds an automotive engine at its heart.
If you’re looking for a watch with an added dash of technical sophistication, this Bulova skeleton watch is for you. The 21-jeweled movement beats effortlessly behind this dial, showcasing an additional layer of timekeeping complexity.
FAQs
Learn a little more about Bulova by reading these FAQs.
How Can You Find Out a Bulova Watch Model Number?
Some Bulova watches feature the model number on the case back. Others feature a date code to date the case. Here, a single letter and number represents the decade and year.
When Did Bulova Use Swiss Movements on Watches?
Bulova used a mix of Swiss and American movements for its watches, particularly up until the 1930s. During the Art Deco period of its watchmaking, Bulova switched to using more Swiss movements. Today, the brand uses a mix of Swiss and Japanese movements.
Where Are Bulova Watches Made?
Although Bulova’s headquarters are in New York, Citizen owns the company. Therefore, the Japanese company makes Bulova watches in Switzerland, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Is Bulova a Good Brand Watch? The Verdict
So, in response to the question, “Is Bulova a good watch brand?” the answer is a resounding yes. Considering the quality, design, value, and accuracy, it’s tough to see Bulova as anything but good. It’s an affordable watch brand with a wide range of styles, sizes, and designs. Unlike higher-end brands with a distinctive identity, like Rado or Panerai, Bulova watches promise variety. The company’s history alone is so rich and interesting that you could wear any watch it offers with pride.
Are there issues? Yes. Most of the company’s watches are at least 5mm too large, have low water-resistance ratings, and have gaudy designs. But look past those issues, and you’ll find a solid watch with incredible accuracy that won’t break the bank. So, the answer is yes, Bulova watches are good. Now, let’s hear your views.
What do you like or dislike about Bulova watches? Do you wear a Bulova? Which one? We want to hear all about it in the comments below!
