The original Argos UK listing is no longer accessible, so other retailers won't match that price without a heavy discount or sale. Nevertheless, my opinions on appropriate pricing for the watch are later in the video, so keep watching! Affiliate Product Links: (Amazon) geni.us/bulova96b276 (Jomashop) www.tkqlhce.com/click-8946237-11554237?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jomashop.com%2Fbulova-watch-96b276.html
I like this watch, and I was ready to look on the Argos website, I'd buy it in a flash. Legibility of dial and the strap make this watch a winner IMHO. Looks decent. I wouldn't pay more for it though. My black faced watch is an Air King. White face and dressy is an old Fendi watch I got for my 21st birthday. Fun or sporty is a Lacoste Chrono on a rubber strap. Everyday is a Casio digital. I'd find room in my rotation for this tho
The only thing I don't like from this kind of "OMG that's a great value" videos is that the product's price will skyrocket almost immediately. Not just watches, but most collectibles... Anyways, nice vid!
I would say that BENYAR offer some comparable products and I was surprised by the one that I got for £30, which is the usual price, would be great if you could have a look at their range.
Hi Ben, maybe you could provide Patrons with early access to videos before you list them so they can take advantage and order watches before the prices go up as a result of the video being published?! ;) (I'm not a patron yet but might consider it if this were the case XD)
This where people dipping their toes into watches need to be. Bulova citizen seiko orient Casio timex Hamilton tissot are all excellent and watches worth every penny. Much better than getting burned by a fashion brand or a micro.
Dipped my toes in recently with a Seiko 5 SNK803 which I'm super happy with, but I got burned with my Orient Bambino Gen 2 V2. It's running way out of spec and I have to send it back. Looked a little large on my wrist for a dress watch anyway
@@stephenmurray2851 I saw many Chinese rotarys in the UK though in many jewelries. the Swiss ones were rarer (if it doesn't say les originales it is china)
Hi Ben. Thanks for the mention and the review is pretty consistent with my impressions of the watch as well, and I certainly wouldn't put this down as a watch that is "worth" over £50-60, but I'm glad I made the suggestion and you got to pick it up and review it. I've added a couple of further watches to my collection, both of which I think are very good and represent excellent value for money. They are at higher price points, but the Heimdallr Monster/Sharkey is now my daily wearer and I picked it up directly from their store for about £120. The other which I think is outstanding is my Phoibos Wavemaster; up again in price, but my goodness what a watch. I got the date version with a green dial, and it's beautiful and so solidly built. Great engineer bracelet, lovely smooth bezel action, and the NH35 hits +\- 0 seconds a day. It is a little on the heavy side, but as I said it adds to the feeling of solid build quality.
Fair review! Post college Bulova became one of my first go-to watch brands when I had a tighter budget. The value amongst their lower priced watches and the higher price watches is pretty good. The company was bought out by Citizen in 2008. The design still carries a classic element Americana to them, but Citizen is still trying to figure out how to market it into their whole collection. I think Citizen's original intention was to make Bulova be the more budget brand of Citizen, so they wouldn't dilute the brand recognition of Citizen. However, Bulova has a small following and they already started development of high frequency quartz movements. Since then, they seem to have used the brand to occasionally sell some watches with Swiss movements and created the Caravelle sub-brand to capture a cheaper market. What I really wish is if elements of the two-companies could marry together. I'd love to have a Bulova designed watch with a 262 kHz movement and a seconds sweep with an Eco-Drive and Citizen's time-zone changing models.
No, if memory serves, the Bulova Caravelle brand was available back in the late '60's as a similarly priced alternative to the Timex ( only of much better quality than the 'Slime-x,' which broke after two years.)
I got my first Bulova this time last year. A black Lunar Pilot. A really tough build for a chrono and probably the most accurate watch I have. I set it to my PC and it gains like 2 seconds A YEAR! Makes mechanicals look like crude toys. However, not for those with marmoset wrists, though mine is only 6.5" and I wear it on a black Pebro Bund strap. A mate of mine that owns a Speedmaster Pro was so impressed he bought the same one too. Would like to check out an original Accutron so I can hear the hum rather than a tick.
Hey you should check out a Bulova with the "262 kHz movement". I feel like these watches don't get enough attention dispite having some of the smoothest sweeping seconds hands in the world (over 57 000 beats per minute) for really cheap prices. You can find models like the Precisionist 96B158 for way under 200$
I found a 1951 stainless steel "selfwinding" Bulova in a charity shop for 8 dollars about ten years ago. I bought it for parts but when i wound it , it starting running and it hasn't given up the ghost yet. The thing probably hasn't been serviced in decades.
I bought one in August of 2019 and I am still running on the original battery. I like the size because I can read it without using reading glasses. I personally like the styling and it is comfortable to wear. It has the quartz accuracy and for me it is the perfect watch. Also an excellent value.
Can we ever get a review of a middling brand? Not meming either I want to see some 1k Swiss thing compared to 200 Chinese watches whose fit and finish has improved
If the Chinese paid their workers a decent pay the £200 watch would become a lot more expensive. But hey, as long as the consumer saves a few quid what do human rights matter.
Tissot Hamilton or longines Are where to look. I have a longines hydroconquest as my daily and it is brilliant. Bulletproof, great finishing, decorated eta2892 movement keeping awesome time and less than 1k
Great video, Ben. Below 75 Pounds that watch is OK. The Bulova I like is the Chronograph A "Surfboard" 98A252. But at 449 Pounds is extremely expensive for a Quartz watch. If it were 200-250, it would be great.
there was a mechanical Lorus(seiko sub-brand) that was such a nice design for the money(around 50 euro local currency) and mechanical ofc but it was a bit large,maybe that's why it was half off like this bulova,true clearance itrems need to be really unpopular
@@briancolyer8483 yeah but we also live in a time when people think midnight is at the end of the day. 🙄🙄 even big companies think this, check out the opening times of a big 24hr Tesco, they list opening times as something like 7am monday to midnight Saturday and then 10am to 4pm Sunday, which means they aren’t open on a Saturday. 🙄🙄 which they clearly are🙄🙄 what they mean is 7am monday to midnight Sunday.🙄🙄 then 10am -4pm Sunday. But I guess that would confused the masses who also don’t know when midnight is.
I bought Bulova 97B210 Wilton GMT. Now I understand why this watch are sold out everywhere. I am shocked how accurate this watch is. I have a lot of automatic watches but no one is accurate like this one is. This watch has deviation less than +1 second per day. How it is possible to construct such accurate automatic watch? This watch are watch revolution
Frankly speaking these watch companies are missing out on a lot of sales by making the watches to damn big. I am like you with a thin Wrist. I wear vintage Omega watch’s. I am wearing a 1949 Omega Tressor in 18k rose gold with a black face. I have 2k in it. It is pristine shape. A modern version of the this watch is $16,500. I believe mine is a 34mm. The watch is 72 years old and runs everyday. So since I have small wrists, I wear Omega vintage watch’s. I have a collection of them!
42mm isn’t that big, most people have a wrist over 7 inches so 42mm is fine. I wear watches from 45mm to 34mm on my seven and a half inch wrist and to be fair the sub 40 watches look tiny, though I still love them.
I like the look of the watch. Not my favourite but it is interesting in it’s simplicity. I hope to get into adding some Bulova models to my collection in the near future!
I would have gone for it if it were smaller (and you know, in stock), the vintage style and the railroad markers are perfect for a dressy field watch. Plus the QC! I'm a sucker for cheap quartz that hits its markers.
A nice "easy reader" watch for the elderly -- who remember when Bulova was a true luxury brand. I had a family heirloom 1947 Gold Bulova that I have already passed down to my son. But for a night time easy reader I will probably be getting a Timex Weekender with the Indiglo backlight. Keep the low and moderate price content coming. Actually there is a high price watch program I want you to look into, the Breitling Watches Leasing Program.
I have a Bulova watch that I've worn for a decade, It looks very nice and works perfectly. I bought my son one for Christmas a year and a few months ago and it crapped out, which is why I'm here I'm trying to figure out to take it apart. It's a 96b220. It's crap.
For all the guys wishing for smaller version. Bulova doesn't do it. Virtually all they watches are more or less enormous. Which is a shame because i really dig their sweeping second hand quartz movement.
On your wrist it’s lug width becomes obviously too narrow proportionally to its case size -making its oversized case looks even more oddly oversized on your wrist. The dial is like a super cool version of a Timex Easy Reader -really nice. All SS case with nice leather strap is a big plus.
I have yet to find a too simple one. The lunar pilot is a marvel, if a bit cumbersome. I like Bulova as a brand and their Precisionist is one of the finest movements in watchdom with a mermerising sweep; however, they all are a bit over the top designwise. It would blow my mind if they had a minimalistic design a la Nomos. I don't think their designers can do it. Still dreaming of an affordable Eco-Precisionist. I don't think that's going to happen, though.
At under $45, it's quite a good deal, but clearly not worth it at $169 or any price above $70. Still, the best deals on Japanese quartz watches are the Casio's previously reviewed here, imho.
I just decided to start my own collection and after looking at a few I decided on the bulova quadra, and tbh I love it. My next will either be a citizen eco drive, or the bulova marine star
30ft = 10m = roughly 1bar, if you dip your watch into water, the speed of your hand will determnine the pressure. Thus to ne safe they rated it Splash resistance.
Just checked Amazon here in the states...Price: $149.98!!. Oh well....btw, I'm very new to this whole watch thing and I find your vids to be both educational and entertaining! Keep up the great work.
I own a Bulova which is a quartz chronograph and has the same 262khz movement as the moon watch which i think cost me about £130 and i love it. 100m water resistant, 42 mm cushion case and cream dial. So accurate and 100% reliable. The lume isn't great, which is the only drawback.
Eventually, once we can employ some more staff and have the watch videos operating more smoothly/passively, I do intend to return at some point to that channel (though not as regularly as this one)
Bulova occasionally has some nice designs. Unfortunately, they are lost in a sea of giant chronographs with ten subdials and hex bolts and honeycomb patterns and...you get the idea. Look at model number 97B178 if you think I'm exaggerating. Or like every other company, they tap into their back catalog and reissue some cool 60's and 70's designs buuuuut, they feel the need to "modernize" by making them huge. What was the original 37mm? Let's make it 47mm, that's what everyone wants, right? They also had a quartz movement that beat at 16(!) times a second. It looked like a spring drive seconds hand AND you could by it in watches for like $100-$200. But they discontinued it. Honestly, it's hard to like Bulova.
Great video. I highly recommend the 2014 Bulova Accutron II with the ultra high frequency movement, but unfortunately they were discontinued a few years ago and are now pricey; the only watches left that have that movement are the precisionists and the CURV, and those are also pricey for what they are.
I have a runwell chronograph cream and absolutely love it. Everyone always gets on them for the price and I admit they are over priced but who cares? I’m going to keep this watch for 20 years. It’s not an investment.
@@2steaksandwiches665 Exactly same here! I have the Vinton and I love it. I have an omega sea master as well but I get way more compliments while wearing my Shinola
Bulova primarily makes watches, but they do make glasses frames. The brand is a mixed bag, but I do love their lunar pilot. It has a high performance quartz in it, so the hand sweeps like a mechanical.
Low on cash and like watches (like me)? This seems like a fine choice. I wore my Casio Duro out to dinner at Olive Garden there other night. That or this Bulova is the perfect choice for such an outing. I’ve got tons of cheap and “fashion” watches some 30 years old now and all still working perfectly. I’m in the process of making some videos of them now. They were like $35 decades ago so it’s interesting that they’re still working great. Don’t knock a cheap watch if it’s sturdy.
@@amberhiggins6327 I just went to Joma before posting that comment $69.99 plus the $9.99 to Canada puts it just under $100 Canadian. He also showed UK listings remember he's in the UK honestly if you can't be bothered to remember that and realize he's doing rough conversions then why are you here?
I really enjoy your videos Ben, could you review a Diesel watch at some point? Most of them are quite big, but they have plenty of smaller watches and I think their designs are very interesting. I've been thinking of getting one but don't know if they're awesome or garbage.
I have about 4 bulova watches in my collection along with 4 citizenship watches. Both are fantastic companies and in fact bulova is owned by citizenship. This watch is a serious bargain!
I don't mind the Miyota 2115, you can buy them for a couple quid new and they last a good while and do the job expected. Sekonda's use them on its analogues and a mix between Miyota or Sii for its chrono's. There is nothing exciting about the 2115 or the 2035 or the 2135, cheap and easy to work with, no point in rebuilding them because they are inherently disposable.
Hey Ben, great video reviews... ever since I saw the Seiko Recraft SSC669 on your channel, I've been hunting for one (driving me nuts). Any leads will be appreciated. Keep up the good work!
I’m very interested in Bulova watches & came across this video & thought it would make for a good entry level to the brand. I was able to find a few of these new on eBay for just under $80. I picked one up.
Hey Ben, Awesome video! I was wondering if you could make a watch review for me and some of my friends. The watch is on amazon named, Fossil Hr Hybrid. It is a fossil watch, which I know you don't like but it is a smartwatch that looks like a regular watch.
Something the Chinese makers seem obsessed with is watch size,they seem to think that we all have wrists like Arnie.Classic designs like this were created for smaller diameter watches and become slightly odd looking when scaled up to a larger size.............................
Im a huge fan of bulovas old accutron watches run like quartz while still feeling mechanical with the smooth sweep of the second hand (no loud ticking only a quiet hum of some weird oscillation technology that pre dated quartz movements)
I mean... it's a beautiful basic design, but it's so frustrating to see how watch companies aren't able to produce something which would be a legendary bestseller. And this watch really doesn't need much - just make it 36 or 38 mm max, give it at least 50 m water resistance and at least some lume on hands... it'd be a killer.
Ben, you should review Mondaine watches, official swiss railway watches, plenty of choice of straps and colours, different sizes and decent quality and price. I’m not an expert, but it would be great to have your opinion.
Fantastic piece for the price paid, a budget Bulova and why not, especially for those that couldn't or didn't want to pay the usual prices....real shame this is out of stock but definitely not a surprise....I think if anyone can find this on or under the £80 region but no more then go for it, certainly wouldn't pay a penny more....If your not planning on keeping this one then I'd say it would make a fantastic give away prize....🏴⌚🏴⌚
I just checked the price and now on 16/12/2021 this watch on Amazon is £79.95 and there is one with a blue dial and stainless bracelet strap for £99.00
It has nothing to do with the once glorious Bulova factory. Citizen bought the brand name and now sells Chinese watches under the brand Bulova. The Myota 2115 mouvement is of course also from Citizen, so one could call this watch even a "Montre de manufacture" like a Rolex or a Patek Philipe!
Maybe you could provide Patrons with early access to videos before you list them so they can take advantage and order watches before the prices go up as a result of the video being published?! ;) (I'm not a patraon yet but might consider it if this were the case XD)
