Top 13 Best Bulova Watches [List & Guide]

Top 13 Best Bulova watches

Bulova is a watch brand with a long and rich history. The brand has many achievements under its name and is known for making high-quality, unique watches with a classic appeal.

In Bulova’s own words:

”Today, Bulova is driven by the same core principles of craftsmanship, innovation, and technology that guided our visionary founder over 143 years ago. Much like Joseph Bulova himself, we set our own standards and create our own rules – breaking boundaries along the way to deliver the exceptional.”

Bulova history

Bulova was founded in 1875 by Joseph Bulova in the United States of America. Bulova is today owned by Citizen Watch Co. Its focus today is to manufacture watches and locks, and it has its base in New York City.

Joseph Bulova was a Bohemian and showed a perfect example of the American dream. Bulova changed its name to Bulova Watch company in 1923 and became part of the Loews Corporation in 1979. The company was sold to Citizen in 2007.

The first big step for Bulova was in 1912 when Joseph Bulova established his very first plant which was solely dedicated to the manufacturing of watches. The plant was established in Biel, Switzerland in order to take advantage of the know-how and expertise of Swiss watchmaking. One of the things that differentiated Bulova was that he established a standardized mass production method that was unique to watchmaking.

By 1919, Bulova had established itself as a full-on watch manufacturer and offered a complete range of men’s watches. Bulova focused on building an American image and targeting the US market, making them very successful in the US. Bulova became the first watch brand to advertise on a radio broadcast in 1926 with the following: ”At the tone, it’s eight o’clock, Bulova Watch Time”

Bulova has also taken the credit for being the first manufacturer to offer electric clocks beginning in 1931.

Over time, Bulova built its own image and style, and in the 19430s and 1940s, the brand was very successful with its rectangular timepieces with a curved design, allowing them to fit better on the wrist.

The brand is responsible for a number of different innovations and is still today driven by the same innovative spirit. Or in Bulova’s own words:

”With an unwavering drive for perfection, efficiency, and precision, quality craftsmanship became the foundation upon which Joseph Bulova built his brand. But what fueled the brand’s continual progress was its spirit of invention – pursuing innovation and technology both within the timepiece industry – and beyond.”

Best Bulova watches

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In this article, we are looking at the most popular Bulova watches. Since ”best” is both subjective and varies depending on which factors you are looking at, we will focus on the most popular Bulova watches that have received the best reviews and ratings, and have proven to be the best-sellers. Because, if the general public enjoys them, there’s a good chance you will too.

So without further ado, let’s dig in!

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Bulova 96B158 Precisionist

The Bulova Precisionist is built as an everyday watch with a balance between elegance and sportiness. It is also a watch with great attention to detail.

This watch features a 42mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 9.3mm. Bulova has really paid attention to the details when it comes to the finishing of the case by combining polished with brushed elements, and a uniquely styled step-lug design.

As the name suggests, the Precionist is powered by one of the world’s most accurate movements which is accurate within seconds during a year. Because of its advanced quartz movement, it has a continuously sweeping second hand which many people appreciate as it looks better than a ticking quartz movement.

The watch is presented with a beautiful multiple-layer swirl-pattern charcoal gray dial, luminous hour and minute hands, beveled stick markers with luminescence, and is presented on a black leather strap.

With that said, the watch is elegant and sleek in design but is powered by a great, high-performing quartz watch. This watch is therefore perfect for everyday wear and works on both formal and casual occasions.

Specifications

• Diameter: 42mm
• Water-resistance: 99 feet/30 meters
• Thickness: 9.3mm
• Crystal: mineral
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova Classic Automatic 96A187

The Bulova 96A187 is a very interesting and sporty watch that has a lot going on. It’s certainly not for everyone, nor is it discreet, however, it has great attention to detail and is proof of great craftsmanship.

What stands out about this watch is naturally its skeleton dial which allows you to see the self-winding automatic movement beating inside. This is a detail that watch enthusiasts will appreciate as it works as a constant reminder of the craftsmanship that goes into making a mechanical movement.

The watch features a stainless steel case with a diameter of 43mm and a water resistance of 30m/100 feet. The case is beautifully finished too with a nice brushing, contrasted by beautifully polished bevels. To ensure legibility, Bulova has incorporated large Roman numerals in blue on the dial which are semi-cutout, creating a nice effect. In addition to the dial, it has a see-through case back, allowing you to see the movement from the other side. On top of the case, it is equipped with flat mineral glass.

This watch combines sportiness with the craftsmanship and is a perfect daily watch if you want something that stands out from the crowd whilst retaining a classic and not-too-bold look.

Specifications

• Diameter: 43mm
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Crystal: Mineral glass
• Movement: Automatic self-winding

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Bulova Marine Star 98B104

The Bulova Marine Star 98B104 is a bold and sporty timepiece that is sure to catch people’s attention. The watch has a large 44mm stainless steel case with a rose gold finish. 

The watch has large markers and large accents which makes it look very sporty and masculine. On top of the case, it has a mineral glass. The watch is water-resistant to 100m/330 feet, making it suitable for swimming. It is presented with a black guilloche dial and lots of interesting details such as chronograph sub-dials, large rose gold roman markers, and a date window positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Powering the watch is a Japanese quartz chronograph movement. It is presented on a black rubber strap with a deployment clasp and push-button closure.

All in all, the Bulova Marine Star 98B104 is a sporty and elegant timepiece that is large, robust, and masculine. If you want something unique and different without compromising on quality and style, this is a great alternative.

Specifications

• Diameter: 42mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova Marine Star 98B203

The Bulova Marine Star 98B203 is one of Bulova’s most popular dive-inspired timepieces. In many ways, it stays true to classic dive watch designs, but Bulova has still managed to give it its own unique and distinct style. Have in mind, however, that this is not a dive watch as it only has a water resistance of 100m/330 feet, and therefore, it is a watch with a dive-inspired design.

If you want something sporty and robust and enjoy dive watches, but don’t require the water-resistance of a true dive watch, the Marine Star 98B203 is a good alternative. It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 43mm and a thickness of 10.5mm which makes it suitable for men with medium to large wrists.

Inside beats a Japanese quartz movement and it has an analog display with large hands and large markers which work as a great contrast to the black dial. The hands and markers have luminescent material for improved legibility in low-lit conditions. Positioned at 3 o’clock, it is equipped with a date window for convenience. As a dive watch should, it is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel with notches for improved grip. On top of the case, it has a mineral crystal.

The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet with a secure double-press fold-over clasp and safety lock.

All in all, this is a perfect daily watch for those looking for something a bit sportier and who also enjoy dive watch designs.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
• Crystal: mineral
• Diameter: 43mm
• Movement: quartz
• Thickness: 10.5mm

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Bulova Mens Mens Dress 96B149

If you want a more elegant and classy timepiece, the Bulova 96B149 may be the watch for you.

It has a smaller case that measures 37.7mm, making it suitable for both men and women, and in particular men who enjoy smaller watches that sit more discreetly on the wrist. On top, it has a mineral glass. What makes this watch stand out is its funky and unique case design with distinct lugs and an integrated bracelet design which blends in nicely with the overall design of the watch. It has a water resistance of 30m/100 feet.

The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and has a beautiful black dial with great attention to detail. It has applied polished markers with a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. The hands are sword-shaped and have a stunning guilloche finishing at the center which provides depth and makes it more appealing and interesting.

This watch combines class with elegance but, at the same time, also works great as an everyday watch.

Specifications

• Diameter: 37.7mm
• Crystal: mineral
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova Classic Quartz 96C125

This is one of our favorite Bulova watches for a number of reasons. What stands out is that Bulova has been able to design a really nice-looking everyday watch with a sporty appeal whilst also giving it a unique and different design that doesn’t look like anything out there.

There are a few key details that make this possible. First and foremost, it has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 39mm which fits a lot of different wrist sizes. In turn, this case is beautifully finished with both brushed and polished elements with bevels and great attention to detail. This really enhances the watch’s impression of quality and makes it appear much more expensive than it actually is. The water resistance is 30m/100 feet.

In addition to this, it is presented with a striking dark blue dial with a lovely sunburst finish which reflects the light beautifully. It makes the watch really vibrant and mesmerizing as it changes personality depending on how the light hits it. For convenience, it has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock

And last but not least, the watch has a perfect balance between sportiness and elegance that makes it extremely versatile, and perfect for everyday wear. It works just as great with jeans as it does with a jacket.

The watch is powered by a quartz movement and is presented on a stainless steel bracelet with a short fold-over double-push closure clasp.

All in all, this is just a great option for an everyday watch.

Specifications

• Diameter: 39mm
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova 96B175 Precisionist

If you want something tough, large, bold, and aggressive, that stands out from most watches out there, the Bulova Precionist 96B175 is your answer. This is definitely not a watch for everyone, however, it does exactly what it is supposed to.

Its stainless steel has a diameter of 46.5mm, and there is no denying that this is huge. With that said, it requires that you either have large wrists or enjoy big watches to be able to pull this off and get enjoyment whilst wearing it. The case has hex-screws on the bezel to give it an even sportier appeal and crown guards protecting the case. On top of the case, it has a mineral crystal. The water resistance is 300m/1000 feet which is really great and means you can take it diving and swimming.

The watch is powered by a Japanese quartz movement and has a chronograph function as well as a date function between 4 and 5 o’clock.

A watch like this of course needs a robust bracelet, which is why it is presented on a large and bulky stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp and single push-button safety closure.

The dial has a lot going on and can be perceived as busy for some, but it also has lots of interesting details such as a carbon fiber background and yellow accents.

Specifications

• Diameter: 46.5mm
• Water resistance: 300m/1000 feet
• Crystal: mineral
• Movement: quartz

 

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Bulova Marine Star 98B301

The Bulova Marine Star is, as the name suggests, a watch with dive-inspired elements, but it has been revised and refined to be more elegant and classy.

The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 45mm and a water resistance of 200m/660 feet. The case has a satin finish and angled lugs which add to its sporty nature. On top of the case, it has a domed mineral crystal.

As a dive watch should, it is equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel finished on rose gold and with a blue insert. To match the blue bezel, it has a beautiful blue dial and a date window positioned at 6 o’clock. Its chronograph function is displayed via three sub-dials on its dial.

The watch is powered by a quartz movement.

Its blue elements together with its rose gold finish create an elegant and classy appeal, paired with a touch of sportiness.

Specifications

• Diameter: 45mm
• Water resistance: 200m/660 feet
• Movement: quartz
• Crystal: Mineral, domed

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Bulova 98H51 Classic Dress Watch

If you want a classy, minimalistic, and elegant timepiece, the 98H51 may just be the exact watch you are looking for. The watch has a classic size with a diameter of 37mm and a thickness of only 5.9mm. The case has a rose gold finish, which makes it appear more luxurious and classy. There’s nothing that stands out about the case as it is minimalistic and exactly what we expect from a dress watch.

It has a water resistance of 30m/100 feet and a white dial with a lovely guilloche pattern and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. The dial has pencil-style hands and rectangular hour markers.

As a dress watch should, it is presented on a classic brown croci-embossed leather strap.

Specifications

• Diameter: 37mm
• Thickness: 5.9mm
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova Classic Automatic 96C130

If you want an elegant and classy dress watch with a slightly versatile appeal, the Bulova Classic Automatic 96C130 is a great alternative. This watch offers exceptional value for money in a number of different aspects. 

Starting off, the watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm and a polished finish. The case is simple, clean, and elegant. On top of the case, it has a flat mineral crystal. The watch is water-resistant to 30m/100 feet.

A great feature of this watch is that it is powered by Automatic movement with a power reserve of 40 hours. The fact that you have a dress watch with an automatic movement is a great value proposition and also something that watch enthusiasts will appreciate since many dress watches use quartz movements.

The dial goes very well with the purpose of this watch but is also designed to remain minimalistic whilst never being perceived as boring. It has a lovely silver dial with a sunburst finish that reflects the light beautifully. At 3 o’clock, it has a day and date window. It has discreet pencil-shaped hands and rectangular hour markers.

Specifications

• Diameter: 42mm
• Crystal: mineral
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Movement: Automatic self-winding
• Power reserve: 40 hours

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Bulova Stainless Steel Classic Chronograph 96B262

Bulova has done a great job with this watch by making an elegant and classic design whilst also incorporating a chronograph function. The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm and a polished finish. At the 3 o’clock side, it has chronograph push-button on its sides. The water resistance is 30m/100 feet and it is powered by a quartz movement. The thickness of the case is 10.6mm.

Bulova has done a great job of balancing out this watch and making it more elegant, making it perfect for everyday wear as well as formal occasions. It has a classic yet appealing black sunburst dial with a red crosshair at the center. On top, it has a domed mineral glass.

Specifications

• Diameter: 41mm
• Thickness: 10.6mm
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Crystal: doubled-domed mineral glass
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova Curv 96A186

The Bulova Curv is, as the name suggests, a watch with a curvy design. This is quite unique in the watch world, but it does serve a great purpose. The 45mm stainless steel and titanium case is curved, which allows it to sit better and more slim on the wrist. Bulova has done a great job with the finishing of this watch by making the top of the case brushed and the sides of the case polished. Bulova has also added polished bevels to the case. On top of the case, it has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and it is water-resistant to 30m/100 feet.

The watch is powered by a chronograph quartz movement which operates with a 262 kHz vibrational frequency for precise accuracy. The watch is presented on a stainless steel bracelet with a double-press deployment clasp.

The dial of this watch also stands out as it has beautiful attention to detail in many ways. The dial is gray and has Cote de Geneve-style stripes on the dial. It has large sword-shaped hands with luminescent material applied to them for excellent legibility.

Specifications

• Diameter: 45mm
• Water resistance: 30m/100 feet
• Crystal: domed/curved sapphire
• Movement: quartz

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Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph 96B251 “Moon watch”

Last but not least, we have perhaps the most iconic and one of the most popular Bulova watches ever made.

What many people do not know is that Bulova has a close relationship with NASA and space missions. How? Well, let’s have a look at Bulova’s own words:

”Bulova made space history on August 2, 1971, during the Apollo 15 mission, a moon pilot chronograph, customized for lunar conditions by Bulova engineers, was worn on the moon. Now Bulova makes history again with the special edition Lunar Pilot Chronograph, updated with our exclusive high-performance quartz movement with a frequency of 262 kHz for unparalleled accuracy”

In other words, this is the successor of a model that was actually worn on the moon. This is an important event in Bulova’s history, and also adds to the intrigue and appeal of the Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph as well due to its history.

This watch is designed as a chronograph and incorporates lots of important features that are crucial for space.

The watch has a diameter of 45mm and a thickness of 13.5mm. It is a six-hand calendar chronograph and has a sapphire crystal on top. It is powered by Bulova’s high-performance UHF quartz movement. The water resistance is 50m.

All in all, the dial of this watch is classic and sporty. It has a black background, a tachymeter Cale around the outer edge of the dial, and a date window positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Two interchangeable straps are included.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 50m
• Diameter: 45mm
• Thickness: 13.5mm
• Movement: quartz
• Crystal: curved mineral glass

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Bulova watches buyer’s guide

As when buying any watch, there are a number of things you want to take into consideration when buying your Bulova timepiece. This is also important because Bulova has such a large collection of timepieces in many different styles and designs. Therefore, knowing what to look for will allow you to narrow down the alternatives and find the perfect watch for your needs and taste.

Style and purpose

First and foremost, you want to consider how and when you intend to wear the watch. Are you looking for a dress watch to wear on formal occasions and with a suit? Or are you looking for a tough and durable sports watch that you can wear on casual events and to the beach? Ultimately, how and when you intend to wear the watch will affect which type of watch you should opt for. If you’re going to wear it on formal occasions, you should look for a slimmer, more elegant timepiece.

If you’re going to wear it on sportier occasions, it is more appropriate to opt for a bulky, tougher timepiece – a sports watch like a professional dive watch.

Size/diameter

The size is always an important aspect to consider when choosing a watch since different people have different wrist sizes. The good news is that Bulova watches are available in many different sizes so you will be able to find one that suits your wrist size and preference. A good starting point is to look at the diameter and think about which size span works best for your wrist, for example between 40 and 45mm. This will help you narrow down the alternatives.

Also, it’s important to remember that it’s not only the diameter of a watch that affects its size. Things like the design and the thickness also play important role in affecting how it feels and wears on the wrist. With that said, don’t only look at the diameter but also consider other dimensions and the overall design of the timepiece. Also, continuing on the theme of purpose, a dress watch, for example, is meant to be slimmer and smaller in size, but a sports watch is meant to be larger and more robust, so a large size can make more sense here.

Functions

As you have seen in the list above, Bulova watches are available with many different functions – from time-only to date functions, chronograph functions, and so on. With this said, think about whether or not there are any functions that you absolutely require and need in a watch, such as a date function. Knowing what type of functions you want in a watch helps you narrow down your options and look for the best watch for your needs.

Water resistance

Depending on how you intend to use it, the water resistance of the watch may be extremely important – or not. If you’re looking for a dress watch to wear on formal occasions, the water resistance doesn’t really matter. But if you’re looking for a watch that you can go swimming and diving with, then you need a water resistance of at least 100M. Therefore, make sure you consider whether or not you will be in contact with water, and choose your watch accordingly.

Are Bulova watches good quality?

In general, Bulova is not considered a luxury or high-end watch brand. However, Bulova is definitely not at the bottom in terms of affordability, but rather pays more attention to details and quality than the most affordable options on the market. Bulova is also considered to be a watch brand that offers great quality watches for their price range. If you factor in the price, Bulova watches can definitely be considered good-quality watches.

Is Bulova a high-end watch?

As mentioned, Bulova is not considered to be a high-end watch brand. But instead, it is considered to be an affordable qualitative watch brand that sits slightly above the most affordable timepieces on the market.

Are Bulova watches Swiss-made?

Bulova makes some of its watches in Switzerland but not all. In general, the watches that are made in Switzerland will naturally require a slightly higher price tag due to the quality requirements and reputation that come with Swiss watchmaking.