For 2023, Bulova expands its Classics Collection with new Jet Star watches that bring back a design from 1973. These retro-inspired Bulova Jet Star watches are available in three variations — including a limited-edition model — all of which are powered by in-house Precisionist High Precision Quartz movements operating at a speedy 262kHz frequency for improved accuracy and a sweeping seconds hand.
All three of the new Bulova Jet Star watches feature 40mm stainless steel cases, which is notably more compact than the brand’s other Precisionist quartz offerings. In true seventies style, the Jet Star case is octagonal (Bulova calls it “turtle-shaped) while its bezel is round. Along with the contrasting shapes, there is also a mix of finishes — mirror polishing and vertical brushing — throughout the case and bezel for added visual interest. The watches are water resistant to 50 meters.
Bulova offers three versions of the new Jet Star watches. The first features a rich merlot dial and stainless steel bracelet while the second includes a butterscotch yellow dial inside its gold-toned steel case, paired with a perforated brown leather strap. Both of these dials benefit from a dégradé effect, which is to say that the color grows darker further away from the center. The third version, which is a limited edition of 7,300 pieces, has a bright white dial with red and blue touches and comes with a stainless steel bracelet, as well as an additional blue leather strap with red stitching.
The hands, markers, and bracelets of the watches remain faithful to the 1973 original watch design. The hands are luminous and there are lume plots at each of the hours, in addition to a date window at 3 o’clock. Dials are protected by a domed sapphire crystal. The steel bracelets are yet another visually interesting component of the Jet Star, leaning into that 1970s vibe with an integrated silhouette and two rows of center links running through. However, if you want a change of pace from the double-H link bracelet, Bulova furnished the Jet Star watches with easy-release latched spring bars to simplify strap switching.
If you see the Jet Star watch in action, you’ll note that, unlike traditional quartz watches, the seconds hand doesn’t jump one position every second; rather, it moves at a beat of 16 times per second, behaving much like a mechanical watch. This is thanks to the Bulova Manufacture Precisionist High Precision Quartz 262 kHz movement that powers the watch. Bulova introduced its Precisionist quartz watch in 2010, boasting a higher frequency crystal that vibrates at 262,144 Hz — eight times the industry standard of 32,768 Hz. The new Jet Star watches are the smallest Bulova Precisionist quartz watches to date, offering an accuracy of +/- 5 seconds per month. Using a smaller case was a smart move on Bulova’s part as it will likely attract a new set of folks that found the brand’s other 262 kHz quartz options much too large.
The price for the regular production Jet Star watches is $595 USD while the limited edition model is priced at $695 USD, and all variants are already available for sale. For these relatively accessible prices, what you get is a charming old-school-looking watch powered by new tech, a sweeping seconds hand with the accuracy of quartz, and a trio of colorways to choose from inside well-proportioned cases. For more information about the new Bulova Jet Star watches, please visit the brand’s website.
