Bulova, my unpopular opinion

You're a hard man, Greg. Success, as you know, is full of anticlines and synclines in the company granite. Forgive their perceived trespasses. 😉

It takes a hard man to make a tender chicken.

They used to be Swiss and now just a Japanese Citizen brand trying to bank on the Swiss heritage they no longer have.

Love the Lunar Pilot and the Jetstar Both share a cool quartz movement... and that's it for Bulova .

They were a New York company that imported Swiss movements and cased them in the United States. They were using Citizen movements in their Caravelle watches in the late 1960's. They had a nearly 40 year relationship with Citizen before they were acquired. Their own Swiss factory closed more than 20 years before the sale.

Citizen knows that they have a legacy brand with deep penetration into the North American market. Bulova was culturally significant in the 20th Century. My problem is really that Citizen puts out way too many bland oversize watches with the Bulova name. And then the exception to the rule, they also experiment with certain quartz movements that are among the best in the industry. It is like picking diamonds out of a septic tank.

And that's what frustrates me (see my other comment). The good is very, very, good and then there is the rest.

Well, last I saw, they're still producing quality timepieces and NOT charging Swiss-made prices.

Yup.

Soooooooooooooo

ooooooooo

oooooo much wasted potential.

Bring the case sizes down, and go with classy, field, diver, military whatever.

Even mid century homage-y stuff.

They'd sell pretty sure.

I see more Rolex Sub's, DJ, GMT, and Explorers in the flesh, on wrist, than I have EVER seen any of the current Bulova line up.

And I live out in the dust, dirt and rocks of W. TX.

So true! It's like there is a great little design team that works 4 hours a month for 6 months and then the Mall Kiosk Crew takes over

". It is like picking diamonds out of a septic tank." That's perfect! I'm stealing that

TBH, septic tank or not, they still are diamonds....just sayin. 🤏🏻😉😂

@Aurelian

It's nice to be mentioned, it's almost as if someone really care.

Interesting piece you wrote there. I was not aware of the non-link between Sinatra and the line of watches from Bulova that bears his name., and I agree the FLW line looks like they would fit just right in a display stand at the gift shop (just before the exit, in front of the rest rooms and cafeteria).

Their issue is that they are now owned by a conglomerate that has its own legacy and it act as if they are still not sure why they bothered with acquiring Bulova and what they are supposed to do with them.

The problem that I see is that Bulova themselves don't have a clear idea either. They lack vision and purpose and just seem to be happy that as long as they keep being lazy and not cause too much troubles, they are not worth the effort to merit attention from their owners.

Bulova, the modern brand, holds almost zero interest for me. Too many are oversized, garish and just not that well made.

Bring that opinion write-up over to WC, as well.

Not offensive in the least.

Yeah I wonder why I haven't bought a Bulova.

Then I saw your post about the gift shop watch.

I think this watch looks cool aesthetically.

Now I'm gonna consider this watch.

Oh boy.

If it's not a complete train-wreck then there's still at least one thing wrong with any given Bulova. Bu-Ships? 16mm lugs. Lunar Pilot and A-15? F'n huge. Even a cute little tonneau I bought for my wife had a little shelf-thingy under the lugs that made it impossible to use any strap other than the included bracelet. I'm afraid to look at the Jet Star. It seems really good, but I expect there's one little thing ...

OH I SEE.

I see what you mean by branding

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I think I'm gonna keep my cash

The trademarked "Frank Lloyd Wright Collection" embossed on every dial is a turn off for me. I wouldn't mind it so much on the caseback.

Frank Lloyd Wright is a designer. I don't mind having a designer's name on a watch.

BUT the hotel picture is a huge turn off on the back!

That's the definition of a gift shop watch.

FLW never designed a watch as far as I know. He is now just a brand.

Ha ha. I agree with a lot of your thoughts. Coincidentally, I looked at the Bulova web site today for the first time. I’m not afraid to wear a quartz watch and have recently become interested in a HAQ movement.

I knew Bulova made the Precisionist but have never looked at one so I dialed up the website. I did SMH and giggle a little when I noticed the Sinatra and FLW watch. Sinatra with Basie at the Sands is a classic. I’ve been to Falling Water and Taliesin West a couple times. The last time at Taliesin West I bought my wife a Tervis Tumbler. Never would have considered a watch at the gift shop.

I would like to see a Precisionist, though…

I’m not all on board with Bulova but I love the history. Few models I like. I was just in the building last week didn’t had time to go to the museum but that’s another segment for next time. But they make decent watches my opinion worth having at least one.

Seeing the Tuning Fork logo on a conventional watch just makes me sad.

It is like picking diamonds out of a septic tank.

I almost fell out of my chair when I read this now classic line. Maybe it's been a long week, or maybe this is just the funniest thing I've seen in a long, long time. Either way, thank you for sharing you with the "WC nice" crowd

Great read. I wish their brand had better products these days as well, such a shame…