bulova

It used to be that for the most part, even though Accutron was owned by Bulova, it was a separate watch brand. Under Japanese ownership by Citizen, you are seeing "Bulova Accutron" on watch dials now - which is a bit confusing in my opinion. Can't they just choose one name? In Japan, they seem to have a custom of branding, and then sub-branding. This is exhibited on many of their products, but to Americans, the redundant nomenclature is a bit confusing. Aside from that we are presented with a handsome watch that won't break the bank. This is the new Kirkwood dive style watch (not to be confused with "Kirkland," which would make it a Costco watch!).

The watch continues the new trend of porthole open dials for Bulova. You can see this at 12 o'clock, where you see a decorated view of the Swiss automatic Sellita SW 200 movement (same at ETA 2824-2). The case is in steel (with rose gold ion plating treatment) and is 44mm wide. There is also a normal steel version available with a blue, black or silver colored dial (as opposed to the pictured brown). It has a handsomely made rotating diver's bezel and 100 meters of water resistance. I like the large lume filled applied hour markers and the wave patterned dial.

The strap is not rubber, but fancy plastic (polyurethane). I'd have to check that out to see what it feels like. Lugs on the case look really long as well. In addition to the strap, there is a metal bracelet option available. Watch case crystal is sapphire. Not too sure about price - should be in the $1,000 - $1,300 range, and the full line should be available for the holiday season.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Bulova continues to creep up market and some of the latest offerings are clear indication of that. Funny enough the once American, now Japanese (Citizen watches owned) watch maker seems to be using less Japanese movements now as opposed to before. As such, this Bulova Accutron Edison GMT watch contains a high-grade Swiss ETA 2893-2 automatic mechanical movement that I would have never guessed would end up in a watch like this.

Going along with the Japanese obsession for double naming products, what was once two labels is now one under this watch. Accutron used to be a separate label, but owned by Bulova. Now both names are mashed on the face in a seemingly unnecessary attempt to gain as much brand recognition as possible. I will let it slide though as it is just one of those Japanese marketing quirks. The focus on the watch is the large applied Arabic hour indicators while the GMT hand is smaller and has its own ring that doubles as an hour indicator path for the hour hand. I like the little red GMT hand that looks almost cute. The lugs on the 41mm wide steel case look to be direct homages to those on classic Accutron watches - namely the popular Spaceview. Aside from the odd looking "two highways intersecting" graphic in the middle of the watch, things seem to be pretty classic "on the Edison GMT watch front." The caseback has a movement display window and the watch is water resistant to 50 meters. The crystal is sapphire. No price yet, but I would expect just a couple of thousand dollars for this new Bulova Accutron timepiece.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

The luxury look does not always have to hold a luxury price. The new lady's Colosseum watch (ref. 63R117) from Bulova (part of the Citizen group) is a fine looking mechanical watch with luxury accents at prices more akin to today's luxury-less budgets. Prices are about $1,000 - $1,500 for an automatic Sellita SW200 (ETA 2824-2 clone) movement, 34mm wide steel case, and a bezel with real diamonds, along with more diamonds on the face serving as half of the hour markers (other six are applied Arabic numerals).

The delicate construction of the Bulova Colosseum's multi-link bracelet will make for a very comfortable fit with a sophisticated look. I like the mother-of-pearl dial with open window to the movement's escapement. Most watches refer to this as an "open heart" window. Further positive qualities include a sapphire crystal, exhibition caseback, 100 meter watch resistance, and available crocodile strap and gold-toned case options. It is important to have good looking watches like this from Bulova to ensure that the demand for timepieces is met even when less cost effective luxury brands are out of many people's minds (and budgets) - at least for now.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.