Finally, another review on a watch!
To all the self-proclaimed ascetic spiritual gurus out there, it may seem difficult to be “free from the world” when toting around a $500 watch. The world of form can be enjoyed and recognized for what it is…temporary. After all, why do so many watch aficionados, collectors or hobbyists have so many watches? One is never enough. Two, three or four can never satisfy! So the lesson, enjoy form, but don’t get caught by craving because it’s a black, bottomless pit that leads to discontent and emptiness.
OK! Back to the watch!
Description:
This one is a men’s Bulova analogue mechanical watch model 96A118. It comes from the BVA-Series 120. It is a self-winding mechanical timepiece with 21-jewel movement visible through double on-on dial aperture and exhibition (clear), screw case back. There are two circular sections in the front that exposure the inner mechanism, so it is a partial “skeleton watch.”
Being mechanical, this watch is powered by the wearer’s own movement, with no battery required. It measures 42mm in case width and 11mm for case thickness. It’s made of stainless steel with domed metalized crystal (Scratch Resistant Sapphire), silver-white patterned dial with Roman numeral numbers, classic blue metallic hands with luminous fill, 24-hour subdial, small sweep, screw-back case, double-pusher deployment buckle and water resistance to 30 meters.
This watch does not indicate where it was made, either design or assembly. Since Bulova is now owned by Citizen, my guess would be that Bulovas are designed in Japan and being made in Malaysia, China, Korea, etc.
It has a MSRP of $499. You can find one for considerably less if patient. Even local vendors should be able to sell this watch for over $100 under the MSRP.
Observations:
When setting this watch, the second hand does not stop. The crown pulls out to one position only and that is for adjusting the hands of the watch, excluding the second hand. Unlike the Seiko 5 mechanical, this watch can be wound by turning the crown. I’ve heard some say it doesn’t matter because it will wind when you move around. That’s a terrible answer! How many times do you favor one watch over another? Maybe you don’t feel like wearing your mechanical watch but want to keep it wound and in good shape! Sorry Seiko 5 owners. You’ll have to put the watch on and jog around the house for 20 minutes! Also, once the watch stops (due to not wearing), it’s handy to quickly and thoroughly wind the watch with the stem.
Personally, I’ve always preferred a long second hand–too bad it has the short second hand.
This watch is bare bones, but classy. No date, day of week, alarm, back light, chronograph or timer here. Just time. Since pulling the crown doesn’t stop the second hand, even the time isn’t something to get too excited about. Then again, is anyone with a mechanical watch really striving for atomic accuracy?
The band feels comfortable enough. The quick-release feature is nice and functional. The buttons don’t dig into your wrist like some Citizen bands I’ve tried in the recent past. Unlike many of the Invictas, this watch does not weight a ton. I have small wrists, so it’s nice that this Bulova fits well without being overly intrusive.
If this watch looks worthy of you, you can get it at a local mall kiosk, jewelry store or online at my Amazon store.
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