The Best Watches to Shop at Bulova in 2023
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Since 1875, Bulova has been known as a watchmaker that provides great quality and value. They were the first company to standardize mass production of watch parts and have remained at the forefront of innovation in watchmaking ever since. Bulova introduced the first radio advertisements in 1923, created the first clock radio in 1928, and manufactured wall clocks as early as 1931.
Bulova also created the first fully electronic watch in 1958, the Accutron, which was powered by a tuning fork, making it the most accurate watch in the world at the time. And Bulova hasn’t been resting on its laurels since.
The brand continues to be a leader in watchmaking, creating stylish and beautiful timepieces with luxury looks and exceptional mechanics. We’ve chosen our picks for the best Bulova men’s watches in 2023 to help narrow the choices from the brand’s extensive collection.
Archive Series
Lunar Pilot, $716, was $895, bulova.com
Bulova's Lunar Pilot is pretty historic as it takes inspiration from the brand's Chronograph that was worn on the moon on August 2, 1971. It's reimagined in terms of design here but keeps the precision accuracy the timepiece is known for. It starts off with a 43.5-millimeter silver stainless steel case that comes with both a matching link band and a stylish blue leather option. The latter matches the blue undertones of the face as well as the bezel of the Lunar Pilot.
Military
Hack Watch, $340, was $425, bulova.com
The entire Military line is a homage to the hard work our service members do for the country, but this Hack Watch is a special edition supporting the Veteran’s Watchmaker Initiative (VWI), a non-profit that teaches the art of watchmaking to veterans. Like all good military-themed watches, the Hack shows 12- and 24-hour time on a beautiful black face with luminescent hands and hour markers. And as a bonus, 10% of the proceeds go to support the non-profit.
A-15 Pilot, $556, was $695, bulova.com
Inspired by the original A-15—first issued in 1944 by the military—this watch features a stainless steel case and 21-jewel automatic movement. It’s a fine mechanical watch that winds with the wearer's movement, so no batteries will ever need replacing. The brown leather strap gives it a certain gravitas, and wearers love this model, saying, “It is a classical, functional design. As an aviator's watch, it has everything you need and nothing you don’t. Good design is timeless and Bulova has done a masterful job.”
CURV
Men’s CURV with Rose-Gold, $780, was $975, bulova.com
In keeping with its history of innovation, Bulova has created the first chronograph watch that is curved to fit the wearer’s wrist— thus marrying traditional Bulova style with incredible comfort. With a black watch face, rose-gold-toned hands and markers, this version is just beautiful. It features high-performance quartz technology with precise accuracy. One reviewer warns, “I bought this watch a few months ago, it’s an extremely and dangerously beautiful watch. It gets attention from everybody! I just love it.”
Men’s CURV with Stainless Steel bracelet, $690, was $1,150, bulova.com
The same CURV technology is in place here with a five-hand chronograph face and a stainless steel bracelet style. The dark blue dial and silver hands stand out against the bright steel case, and like all CURV models, it offers the same precision accuracy you’ve come to expect from Bulova. With nothing but 5-star reviews, it makes a beautiful gift.
Marine Star
Series B, $380, was $475, bulova.com
We will admit to a slight bias toward the blue faces at Bulova, but this proves us to be absolutely right in that bias. This beautiful six-hand chronograph with silver accents is paired with a blue leather and silicone band with white details that scream “sporting life” to us. Like all watches in the Marine Star series, it’s meant to be worn in and around the water and is water resistant up to 100 meters.
Series A, $556, was $695, bulova.com
If gold is more your look, this is the Marine Star for you. The Series A has a black face with an “open heartbeat” look that lets you see the mechanics inside the watch, which are just as beautiful as the outside. The Series A is a classic timepiece that can go wherever life takes you since it’s water resistant up to 200 meters.
Regatta
Classic, $285, was $475, bulova.com
The Classic is aptly named as an homage to the timepieces first developed by Bulova in the early 20th century. Slim and deceptively simple, this is a watch for a man who doesn’t need or want the bulk of other fancy watches. It tells time with a white dial and thin Roman numerals. Plus, it’s comfortable and is easy to dress up for any occasion.
Classic, $375, was $625, bulova.com
Another beautiful tribute to Bulova’s heritage, this slim and trim Regatta features a black beveled face with silver-toned accents. That’s paired with a black leather strap that boasts an alligator texture. It also has a glimpse of the automatic mechanisms inside the watch with the open heartbeat window on the front and back to show the true beauty of a mechanical watch.
Icon
Men’s Black Blue Dial Icon, $780, was $975, bulova.com
The Icon series uses Bulova’s proprietary “Precisionist technology,” making it one of the world’s most accurate watches. This stainless steel version is water-resistant to 300 meters and features a black carbon-fiber dial and curved mineral crystal face. One reviewer gifted it to her husband and said, “What a beautiful watch. Mesmerizing. There’s something special about this one. It’s very different from the average “nice” watch. It’s truly beautiful and I highly recommend it.”
Men’s Two-Tone Polyurethane Band, $460, was $575, bulova.com
This option features the same Precisionist technology in a different look. This rose gold face with a black polyurethane band makes this watch stand out in a crowded market. In the words of one Icon owner, “The face is bold and has incredible presence. I get compliments at work, out and about with the family, and just about anywhere. What I love most is that it isn't too busy or flashy at a glance, but a closer look reveals the intricate design and attention to detail.”
Series X
Series X Stainless Steel with Blue Face, $796, was $995, bulova.com
The Series X celebrates more than 10 years of “Precisionist technology” with proprietary 262kHz movement, making this chronograph accurate to 1/1000th of a second. This silver-toned stainless steel version has a calendar and a continuously sweeping second hand. It’s a solid watch that conveys serious business without sacrificing style or luxury in the process.
Series X Special Edition, $1,036, was $1,295, bulova.com
The Special Edition of the Series X is a must-have for the serious watch collector. The rose-gold stainless steel is paired with a gray Damascus steel top ring, and the black dial face shows off the mechanics behind the “Precisionist technology.” The brown leather strap elevates it to another level of sophistication, and it makes a great gift, as it comes in a special presentation box. Reviewers raved, saying, “This watch is phenomenal. The engineering and attention to detail is impressive. The Precisionist X Special Edition is one of those well engineered timepieces that will become an heirloom.”
Frank Lloyd Wright
The Oculus Automatic, $450, bulova.com
If you could take the beauty of a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, like December Gifts, and put it into a watch, you’d have this Oculus Automatic. Based on the drawings first intended for the covers of Liberty magazine but judged too avant-garde, the Oculus’ face is a subject in abstract beauty, with varying shades of gray in the face. This surrounds an open heartbeat window showing the automatic movement, which is a work of art in itself.
Apollo Theater
Apollo, $396, was $495, bulova.com
It’s fitting that the legendary American watchmaker should join forces with the legendary American star maker for this series of watches honoring the legacy of the Apollo Theater. This classic timepiece is made of stainless steel, with the marquee image of the theater baked into the face of the watch, with striking red accents. It’s a great addition to either a watch or a theater lover’s collection.
Joseph Bulova
Banker, $995, bulova.com
This limited edition watch—only 350 were produced—pays homage to Bulova’s founder. The simple leather wristband and black face with Arabic numerals hide a beautiful secret on the back of the watch: an open look at the mechanics of the 26-jewel movement with the watchmaker’s signature stamped on the back.
Latin GRAMMY
Millenia, $620, was $775, bulova.com
Bulova serves as the official timepiece of the Latin GRAMMY Awards and has created this watch to celebrate Latin musical heritage. The alternating black links create a piano keyboard on the bracelet, with a striking black face that boasts red accents completing the look. The open back shows off the 21-jewel automatic movement with the Latin GRAMMY logo. According to one reviewer, “The design is second to none. In a collection of over 30 watches its beauty stands out above the others. In a collection that includes a variety of beautiful timepieces this watch stands out.”