If you’re in the market for a new watch, you may be wondering if is Bulova a good watch brand to choose. Bulova watches are known for their high quality and craftsmanship, so they can be a good option if you’re looking for a durable timepiece.
However, there are also some downsides to Bulova watches, so make sure to do your research before buying one. Ultimately, whether or not Bulova is the right watch band for you depends on your individual needs and preferences
History of Bulova watch company
Bulova is a luxury Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1875 by Joseph Bulova, an immigrant from Bohemia. The company started as a small jewelry store that primarily sold clocks and watches on New York City’s Maiden Lane.
In 1912, the company introduced its first line of marine chronometers and deck watches for sailors, which were accurate to within one minute per day, or two minutes per week – a significant improvement over the industry standard at the time.
By 1927 Bulova had become one of America’s leading watch manufacturers and had more than 1,500 employees and 14 factories across platforms such as Hempstead (its headquarters), Chicago, and Toronto. At this point, it held all but four of the patents relating to radio technology and produced the world’s first radio-set watch. In 1933, Joseph Bulova died at 51 years old.
In 1950, Bulova introduced its Accutron watch, which uses a small electric motor to vibrate a metal tuning fork at 360 cycles per second, which allowed it to keep time more accurately than other watches. This innovation paved the way for quartz technology and modern wristwatches.
The brand opened international offices in Europe and Asia during this period and was one of the earliest US watchmakers to do so. In 1957, Bulovas were the first watches worn on the moon by astronaut Scott Carpenter when he boarded Mercury 7 into space. Then in 1969 NASA pilot Buzz Aldrin made history when he wore his Bulova Chronograph as he stepped onto the moon.
In 1983, Bulova was acquired by Citizen Watch Co., Ltd and was later merged into the Japanese luxury watch brand in 2007. The company stopped producing its Swiss-made line of watches and now manufactures watches exclusively in Japan and China.
Classic Bulova watch models
The following are some of the most popular classic Bulova watches, which still fall under its “Accutron by Bulova” collection:
One of the more unusual features of this model is that it’s powered by electricity, which continuously charges a rechargeable battery inside the watch. When fully charged, the battery should last between six and ten months depending on how much you wear it. After 10 months, you’ll need to send your watch back to Bulova for a new one.
If you’re in the market for a multifunctional timepiece that can serve as not only an elegant accessory but also a functional gadget, then this might be the model for you.
Among its many features, this watch comes with a built-in altimeter that can measure your altitude to an accuracy of one meter. It also displays current barometric pressure and includes both an electronic compass and digital thermometer, so you’ll always know where you are — figuratively at least.
At first glance, this watch may appear to be nothing more than a basic dress piece. But when worn on your left wrist it actually becomes a handy self-defense tool in case you need to make a quick escape or help protect yourself against an assailant.
This model has an 8-inch retractable steel cable concealed inside the band that unfolds in less than two seconds when needed. It’s small enough to fit in most pockets too.
Bulova watch styles
Bulova watches are generally available in the following styles — each of which offers its own pros and cons:
Dress or Casual :
Bulovas in this category often have simple designs that are intended to serve as versatile everyday pieces that can be worn with almost any outfit. They’re also relatively affordable.
Dive:
These models are designed to meet ISO standards for water resistance, making them suitable for extended underwater use at depths of 100 meters (about 330 feet). Some models do not offer additional functions besides timekeeping.
Field or Military :
A few models are inspired by vintage military field watches from World War I and II era. While most of these pieces are more casual dress types, they do feature more rugged and durable cases and bands that can hold up to abuse.
Sport :
A few Bulovas fall into this category because they’re equipped with stopwatches and other multi-functional features for timing events like marathons, bicycle races, or horse races. However, many of these models look better on the wrist of a business professional than someone who works out regularly at the gym.
Fashion :
The designs of Bulova watches in this category are often classic or contemporary but usually feature bold colorful accent pieces such as bezels with gemstones — which might not necessarily be functional but do add flair to each design.
Bulova watch accuracy
When it comes to timekeeping, Bulovas generally have a quartz movement with some models featuring automatic or self-winding mechanisms. Depending on the model, these movements can be accurate to within about five seconds a month or 15 seconds a day.
Bulovas that use shifting quartz movement are usually more accurate than those that work via a ticking mechanism because they only lose one second of time every two minutes as opposed to two seconds per minute with traditional quartz movements.
Bulova typically uses high-quality Swiss parts in its mechanical pieces, which helps increase its accuracy compared to other brands.
However, even though most models contain an advanced regulating system (which is designed to reduce inaccuracy), their accuracy can vary depending on a number of factors including how often you wear them and whether or not they’ve been exposed to extreme temperatures.
Bulova customer service
Bulova has a few different methods for contacting customer service if you have any issues with one of your timepieces. They include the following: Website – You can contact Bulova online by filling out its general contact form, which is available on its website.
You can also use this form to schedule an appointment for maintenance or repairs of your watch at one of its facilities. Phone/Email – If you want more immediate contact, then you can either call Bulova directly or email it with inquiries about your watch’s warranty coverage and what it entails.
You can also ask about what to do if your watch breaks, how it works, or anything else you want to know about its parts and functions.
Bulova watch warranty
Bulova offers a limited warranty for all of its quartz-movement watches that covers them against defects in both materials and workmanship. This protection typically lasts one year from the time you receive your Bulova watch, but some of their more expensive models can have longer coverage periods.
For instance, most mechanical watches are covered up to five years by this policy, while some fashion pieces are protected for ten years or even longer. There are also options available on certain models to extend this basic coverage period.
which is only valid if there’s no evidence of abuse or mishandling on your part — by an additional 2-3 years through Bulova’s “Care Enhancement Program.”
Bulova watch repair
Bulova watches are known for their high quality and craftsmanship, but even the best timepieces can be damaged or stop working properly over time if you’re not careful with them. In addition to internal problems such as broken movements that could affect all watches.
Bulovas can develop cosmetic problems like scratches and dents to the case or band over time. If you need a Bulova watch repaired or serviced, you’ll likely have to send it back to the manufacturer directly since local jewelers and other watch repair services don’t typically offer this brand’s products.
This means you’ll have to pay for shipping costs (which can add up), and will probably be without your watch while you wait for it to get fixed.
Bulova watches comparison with Tissot and Citizen
Bulova vs Tissot
Tissot is another brand that Bulova competes with within the mid-range market segment for timepieces. The two brands share some similarities as well as differences, so it’s important to consider how they compare before making a decision about which one to buy.
Price
Tissot is typically more expensive than Bulova (around $100 more on average) because it uses Swiss-made movements, which are more costly to produce than Japanese or Chinese alternatives. Also, while Tissot offers watches in a variety of styles and designs at different price points, many of their models have gold components instead of stainless steel —
so this is something to keep in mind if you don’t want your watch to look overly flashy. Durability – Both brands make timepieces with materials that are designed for everyday use in most environments, but there are some differences when it comes to the overall durability of their products.
For instance, Tissot uses sapphire crystals for its watches’ faces instead of plain glass-like Bulova does. However, the protective mineral used by Tissot isn’t quite as hard as sapphire, so it may scratch more easily.
Bulova watches vs Citizen
Citizen is generally considered to be Bulova’s biggest competitor, but there are some important differences between the two brands that you should consider before making a decision about which one to choose.
Citizen Primacy
One of Citizen’s strongest selling points is its use of Eco-Drive technology, which allows it to harness natural and artificial light in order to power watches so they never need a battery change. However, this feature isn’t available on all models and can add $100 or more to the price of your watch. Additionally, only around half of Citizen timepieces have this design feature while almost all Bulovas do include many that cost less than $500.
Ease Of Use
Some people prefer using an analog watch over a digital one for practical reasons, so it’s important to consider the level of convenience each style provides. For instance, analog watches are generally easier to read regardless of lighting conditions and their size makes them harder to misplace than small-faced timepieces.
However, some people find that having to pull out their smartphone or an additional device just to check the time is more trouble than it’s worth.
Pros of Bulova watch brand
- Stylish High-quality Durable Affordability
- Water-resistant to 100 meters or 330 feet,
- scratch-resistant mineral crystal front and back,
- long-lasting battery life
Cons of Bulova watch brand
Limited to stainless steel bands Limited design options Availability in many different styles can also be a negative factor if you’re specifically looking for something more unique Not compatible with accessories like metal bracelets or mesh bands Modest selection of complex, showy designs
Conclusion
Bulova watches are stylish, durable, and affordable; they make great everyday timepieces for most people. However, if you want something with more unique features or luxurious materials like gold components or mesh bands, then this brand may not be the best choice for you.
If you’re still interested in buying one of these watches, there are many online retailers where you can compare different styles and designs to find something that looks good on your wrist.