Chronograph
Joseph Bulova
Epitomizing the height of founder Joseph Bulova’s innovation and creativity, this men’s watch bearing his name is inspired by vintage Bulova chronographs from the 1940’s. Bulova is the only watchmaker that has been in continuous operation in New York since 1875. Started by an immigrant with a deep belief in the American dream, this luxury watch highlights the best of what the brand has to offer. The stainless steel case is matched with a silver white dial and a supple black leather strap. It has a twelve-hour chronograph and an exhibition back to showcase the fine Swiss automatic movement. This is a classic watch with understated elegance that will stand out no matter where it goes.
MECHANICAL WATCH 101
What makes a mechanical watch special?
In a world that’s increasingly digital, there’s a real appeal to something that relies on gears, springs, and jewels to work, and that’s reflected in the growing interest in mechanical watches today. Learn more about how a mechanical watch work and why buy one.
Product Details
Model
- 96C145
- 3/01/2021
Movement
- SW500
technology
- Automatic
- Powered by the release of a wound spring, mechanical movements never require a battery. Automatic mechanical movements have an oscillating weight that winds the spring with the motion of the wearer’s arm.
Case Width (mm)
- 42
Lug Width (mm)
- 22
Dial
- Silver-Tone
- Black Accents
Strap Type
- Strap
- Leather
Case Material
- Silver-Tone
- Stainless Steel
- Exhibition Caseback
Clasp
- Deployant Clasp with Push Buttons
Crystal
- Domed Sapphire Crystal
Water-Resistance
- 0030M
Additional Functions
- 6 Hand
- Chronograph
- Day / Date
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Reviews
Beauty Inside and Out
Like the title says, "Beauty Inside and Out". The packaging on these amazing automatics is subtle elegance. You open the box lid and it's all laid out for you, the plaque and then the time piece, it took my breath away. I love the BEEFY look and feel of the automatic on my wrist. I've been to several places and received very nice complements on its beauty and elegance. They liked the heftyness and the stainless steel case. Bulova is simply the Go-To for everything time pieces. This is my eleventh Bulova purchase, I will not have any other time piece, ever.
Great timepiece with a historical legacy.
Always loved the styling of Vintage Bulova watches and after reading the history of this movement thought it may be a prime candidate for me to own. I was very happy to get the watch and flatted with the multiple comments received about the watch. Great to see the surprising new designs by Bulova.
Great vintage styling and quality
This review is for a Joseph Bulova Men's Silver Limited Edition Chronograph Watch, model 96C145 purchased at a discount in 2021 from an authorized dealer It's packaging included a good quality Bulova branded black outer cardboard box with a removable lid, fold open front, and a bottom compartment for paperwork. Inside was a parchment liner with a very nicely finished black wooden box with velvet lining, containing the watch, a brass limited edition plaque, and a leatherette wedge shaped watch pillow. The paperwork included a folded cardboard warranty and registration card with a link to download a (generic) product manual, and a plastic limited edition card (neither the card nor the plaque included the model, unit number, or number of watches in the limited edition). So they did not overspend on packaging, but neither does it feel cheap The fit and finish of this retro 1940's style chronograph are excellent, with no apparent imperfections anywhere, and it has a high quality look that is great for its price range. It's more of a dress watch than field watch in appearance which is somewhat at odds with having a telemeter scale, but it’s a great looking watch It features a full high polish 316L stainless steel case, measured at 42mm in diameter not including crown or pushers, 16mm thick with domed sapphire crystal, 48mm lug to lug, 22mm lug width, weighing 3.6oz/102g with gloss black alligator embossed leather strap with polished stainless steel deployant clasp The silver dial, with blued hands, black markings, and blue telemeter scale is very attractive, crisp, and clear. There is no lume but none was expected. The dial markings are a bit lighter than pictured, but very readable at a glance. The blue hands look anodized in pictures, but in person are much darker (almost black in most light) and appear to be heat blued. This is the only watch I've seen with a telemeter scale that is in miles (and partly why I chose this watch). This is the most (daytime) readable and legible of the many chronographs that I own. The screw down case back is polished stainless steel with engraved text for make, model, serial number, limited edition ### of 350, Swiss Made, Water Resistant, Stainless Steel, Saphire Crystal, and Joseph Bulova in script. It is half solid and half display back which is something I've never seen before, and offers a partial view of the relatively plain Selita SW500 movement. There is no number on the case back or dial for water resistance but it is advertised as 3bar/30m/100ft (I'd say its splash resistant but I would not submerge it) The domed sapphire crystal is quite shiny, and there is no noticeable indication of anti-reflective coating inside or out, but in most lighting it does not interfere with reading the dial Accuracy is good at between –2 and –5 seconds per day It has a small thin knurled three position push-pull crown (wind, day/date quickset, time set with hacking) that does not feel particularly smooth, precise, or sturdy, but is perfectly functional. The oblong chronograph pushers are very attractive sturdy, and have a good feel. Overall I am very pleased with the purchase. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a good quality vintage style entry level mechanical automatic chronograph that’s well built, long lasting, reliable, and easily and inexpensively serviced.
Bulova Response
- 1