Is Bulova a good watch brand? Bulova is among the oldest watch firms in the world, having been established in 1875. Citizen acquired the brand in 2007 and it is now known all around the world as a brand that fits everyone’s budget, no matter what they are searching for.
In this article, I would be emphasizing the Bulova brand, while answering crucial questions which are frequently asked by the majority.
Where Are Bulova Watches Made?
In 1875, Joseph Bulova, a Bohemian immigrant, established and integrated Bulova as a J. Bulova Firm. In 1923, it was renamed Bulova Watch Firm, and in 1979, it was acquired by Loews Corporation, before being sold to Citizen in 2007.
Citizen Watch Company, a Japanese multinational business that bought it has been operating it since then. It is a New York City-based corporation that manufactures watches, clocks, and accessories.
Joseph Bulova opened his first watchmaking factory in 1912. He established a systematic mass production unique to watchmaking by producing watches at their plant in Biel (Switzerland). Bulova introduced the first entire line of timepieces for males and females in 1919, and in 1924, they introduced the first complete line of watches for men and women. His first popular campaign used a graphic approach that made his timepieces popular among Americans.
However, in addition to the unique style, Bulova needed to focus on precision and technological development. To correctly determine the universal time, he built a telescope on the roof of a large building at 580 Fifth Avenue in 1927.
Bulova opened offices in Flushing, New York, and Woodside, New York, where it pioneered watchmaking techniques and created a variety of watchmaking instruments. The Accutron wristwatch, which used a rebounding tuning fork to regulate the time-keeping mechanism, was one of its horological breakthroughs.
In 1923, Bulova established itself as a reputable watchmaker. In 1926, Bulova released the first radio commercial, proclaiming the first beep in history: ‘At the tone, it’s eight o’clock, Bulova Watch Time,’ which was heard by millions of people.
Charles A. Lindbergh made history in 1927 by being the first lone pilot to fly across the Atlantic without stopping. His crossing won him a Bulova Wristwatch and a $1,000 check, and it established a symbol for the company, which manufactured the “Lone Eagle” model in his image.
Bulova alleges to be the first to provide electric clocks in 1931, however, the Warren Telechron Organization began selling them 19 years before Bulova, in 1912. The rectangle-plated watches with a highly curved case that better fit the contour of the wrist were a major hit in the 1940s.
Bulova aired the world’s first tv ad before a baseball game involving the Dodgers and the Phillies on New York channel WNBT on July 1, 1941 (the 1st day that corporate adverts were allowed on tv).
The release depicted a WNBT test card altered to look like a timepiece with the arms showing the time, for which the corporation paid somewhere from $4.00 (equal to $70 throughout 2020) to $9.00 (equal to $158 throughout 2020). In the bottom right quadrant of the test, the Bulova emblem and tweeter “Bulova Time” were shown.
Is Bulova a Good Watch Brand?
Bulova has a rich history and is a reputable watchmaker with a long history. The Accutron is one of Bulova’s most important watches.
When it refers to history, it can be compared to the Omega Moonwatch. While Omega was awarded the commission for the very first Moon wristwatch, Bulova’s Accutron took an unofficial trip aboard the lunar module.
The Bulova Accutron was brought to Apollo 11 by Buzz Aldrin. Bulova hadn’t been in space in a long time. Bulova was the first to reach the moon in 1971.
Bulova, like most watch companies, was a subject of the Quartz problem. Rather than fighting back, they’ve built their technology around Quartz, specifically Ultra High-Resolution Quartz. Regrettably, fortune was not on their side at that time.
Nevertheless, Bulova is a good timepiece brand that manufactures affordable high-quality timepieces which are affordable.
Is Bulova a Luxury Watch Brand?
Bulova is often referred to as an entry-level luxury label because of its high quality and expertise, as well as its affordability. Nevertheless, Bulova is a wonderful brand to start with if you’re new to the field of luxurious timepieces
Their pricing is moderate, fair, and provides outstanding value for money, but not really for the long run.
Do Bulova Watches Hold Their Value?
Bulova watches will not retain their worth. There are various reasons for this, the most important of which has already been stated: Bulova is often referred to as an entry-level luxury label.
As a general rule, only high-end watches will retain their worth since they contain the qualities and artistry that make them collectible.
Are Bulova Watches a Good Investment?
The company has always been known for its high quality products, but it’s also known for the expensive price tags that often come with them. For example, the Bulova Precisionist Chronograph watch costs $1,295 on their website, which is significantly higher than many other brands of watches at similar price points.
However, there are some people who believe that investing in Bulova watches can be worth it because they will retain their value and they are worth the money. Bulova has a warranty program that can extend your watch’s warranty coverage up to two years and is offered with every purchase as long as you register your product within 30 days of buying it.
Are Bulova Watches Better Than Citizens?
Bulova and Citizen are among the “big guns” in the watchmaking industry, with historic histories, highly regarded technologies, and, most significantly, sophisticated-looking watches that ooze actual value for money.
Citizen and Bulova are therefore strikingly similar in many ways, including appearance. For some, the 2008 transaction that saw Bulova become a subsidiary of Citizen Watch Co. may help explain the similarities, but the actuality is that both companies have stayed relatively independent of one another.
When talking about whose brand’s watch is better, it’s best to put some crucial factors into consideration.
1. Styles & Designs
Bulova’s watch collection consists of watches that are more dressy than casual. Those who frequently wear smart outfits and shining shoes can benefit from sophisticated dials paired with metal bracelets.
Bulova uses automated calibers in certain of its collections, thus open-heart layouts with polished aesthetics are also available.
Bulova’s watches are divided into two halves, one representing the dressier side and the other representing the sporty side. It will, however, not be as athletic as one might assume.
Yes, the watches offer excellent chronograph functionalities, are water-resistant to a reasonable depth for serious sea activities, and are constructed of robust materials. Nonetheless, they exude an elegance that stops us from referring to them as authentic sports-oriented casual timepieces.
Citizen, on the other hand, creates more distinct timepieces: a diving watch looks like a real dive timepiece, and a military-inspired timepiece is as tough as it sounds. And the selection of such precise timepieces is mind-boggling, numbering in the hundreds.
Citizen watches are divided into three categories: terrain (military, chronograph, dress), water (diving), and air (aviation) (aviator). All of them seem to have qualities that are distinct to each category; nonetheless, the common thread is a preference for a casual look over Bulova’s exquisite design.
When contrasting Bulova and Citizen in terms of look, the latter creates a wide range of watches with casual wear in mind, whilst Bulova caters to people who like a more elegant look.
2. Quality
Quality is another important thing to consider when comparing the two. Is one equal to the other, or does one outshine the other?
3. Materials
Stainless steel is the most prevalent material used in both manufacturers’ products. It’s almost as if watches are built of this material by default, but for good reason. Stainless steel is the most robust, shatterproof, scratch-resistant, and temperature-resistant material available.
4. Titanium
Bulova and Citizen both offer titanium watches, which are regarded as premium-class metals because of their durability and lightweight. These timepieces are more expensive than standard stainless steel timepieces, but the difference is not considerable.
Another similarity is the crystals used by the brands: whereas the more affordable watches use mineral glasses, the more costly ones use sapphire. This is a widespread approach not only in these two organizations but throughout the industry.
5. Watch Movements
The sorts of calibers used to power the clocks, on the other hand, are often what distinguishes one maker from another.
The most important distinction between the two companies is that, whereas Citizen uses solar-powered quartz movements in the great majority of its wristwear, Bulova switches among quartz and automated calibers from series to series.
Citizen’s Eco-Drive innovation and the few automated watches it offers are powered by Miyota calibers. They’re regarded as reliable workhorses who rarely fail you. Given that Miyota is a subsidiary of Citizen Watch Co., it’s no surprise that no other company produces the mechanisms.
Bulova quartz and automatic watches use Miyota components as well, but no solar power option. Instead, it has focused more on ensuring absolute precision in its quartz parts.
How Popular Are Bulova Watches?
Bulova has a rich and popular past and it is a reputable watchmaker with a long history.
Bulova watches are still very popular, but their current popularity can’t be compared to their past popularity.
Conclusion
For most people asking if Bulova watches are of great quality or not, one thing is certain: they are good watches. Even though Bulova’s steel is very widespread, it is of a good grade.
Many Bulova watch owners admire the company for producing durable watches that, with appropriate care, may last a lifetime. Which makes Bulova a good brand.
