While Bulova’s addition of two new dial colors (green and blue, with either orange or yellow dive-timer bezel) to the 1970s Oceanographer “Devil Diver” collection earned the most critical accolades for the brand earlier this year, the watchmaker has also expanded several other automatic collections for 2019.
One of Bulova's additions to the Oceanographer “Devil Diver" collection offers a green dial.
All these new models utilize Miyota movements, made by Bulova’s parent firm Citizen. In part a result of what is essentially in-house movement sourcing, none of these 2019 debuts is priced higher than $900.
Bulova's Oceanographer “Devil Diver" with blue dial and orange-on-blue dive-time bezel.
One such addition to the automatic watch lineup recalls a vintage Bulova collection even older than the original Oceanographer. Drawing on its original Regatta collection from 1963, Bulova this year commemorates that watch with an assortment spiced up with unusual, sharply angled lugs found on the original design. Now re-interpreted as a dress watch, the new Bulova Regatta Automatic Slim collection features its Miyota automatic movement clearly showcased on the dial in an open aperture, offset nicely by the crown at the 2 o’clock position. Two models are offered: one with a black dial and black leather strap ($595) and a silver-dialed model with a steel bracelet ($695.)
The new Bulova Regatta Automatic Slim.
Bulova's new Regatta Automatic Slim.
Another notable 2019 expansion lies within the Bulova Grammy collection, which historically included only watches utilizing Bulova’s Precisionist quartz movement. You might recall that Bulova is the official timepiece partner of the Latin Recording Academy and the Grammy Awards. These new watches can be found in collections dedicated to these musical institutions.
This year’s Bulova Special Edition Latin Grammy watch.
The Bulova Special Edition Grammy watch features a new case shape as well as signature musical cues of the circle of fifths, a music theory shortcut used by songwriters. The new watch ($850) has a skeletonized dial with a gold ‘Grammium’ dial ring and guitar-tuning-peg-shaped crown, alligator grain pattern strap and deployant buckle. This year’s Special Edition Latin Grammy watch ($750) features an open heartbeat aperture with rose gold, black, and Latin Grammy red accents.
Bulova Special Edition Grammy automatic watch. Note the guitar-tuning-peg crown.
Bulova also continues to build its automatic offerings within their Classics collection with the new Wilton Automatic Power Reserve ($895). The new collection offers textured sunray dials in silver, gray or blue. The large power reserve indicator here is the dial highlight, though the three-date aperture is also an eye-catcher. These dressy 43mm automatic watches offer leather straps embossed with a gray or black alligator grain pattern with a deployant buckle.
Bulova's new Wilton Automatic Power Reserve, with silver dial.
The new Bulova Wilton Automatic Power Reserve, with blue dial.
And finally, the new Maquina collection focuses on its skeletonized Miyota automatic movement in more ways than one. Not only is the dial largely open, displaying much of the balance wheel and several movement bridges and plates, the silhouette is shaped like a skull, complete with a darkened central bridge in the shape of hollowed-out eyes. Even the ruby within the balance plays a role here as an ersatz nose.
The Bulova Maquina displays a skull design over the skeletonized Miyota automatic movement.
As on the new Bulova Regatta noted above, the Bulova Maquina’s crown is located at 2 o’clock. The 46mm time-only watch ($595) is being made in three options. One is gold-hued, one is all black and a third offers red markers, a red seconds hand and red stitching to contrast with its black dial and black leather strap.
The gold-colored Bulova Maquina.
The Bulova Maquina, in all black.