Buying guide for best Bulova watches for women
When it comes to classic women’s watches, it’s difficult to top the offerings from Bulova, a company that has been in business for over 140 years making elegant watches for women and men.
Bulova watches for women are all dress options, but the collection ranges from extremely formal to more casual in style. The watches come in various colors and finishes, but one thing is consistent: they are made from quality materials and are designed to stun the onlooker. Bulova watches are also highly functional timepieces, making them well worth the price.
When shopping for a Bulova watch, choices abound: band type, band material, case material, color, crystal type, and more. For example, do you want a watch band that flexes like a bracelet or buckles like a belt? In this guide, we present the tips and information you need to choose the best Bulova watch for yourself or that special woman in your life.
Key considerations
Band type
Bracelet band: Composed of a series of connected metal links, the bracelet band is the most common type of Bulova watch band. The links are detachable so you can expand or decrease the size for the most comfortable fit.
Strap bands: Found on more casual Bulova watches, strap bands are usually made of leather and buckle closed. The width of the strap varies from very thin to fairly wide.
Bangle bands: Jewelry-like and made of metal, a bangle band may come in the form of a solid ring that slips over the wrist or a hinged ring that opens for easy donning.
Band material
Most Bulova watch bands for women are made of metal. Hypoallergenic stainless steel is common; Bulova often coats this material with gold, silver, rose gold, gold, or other plating to customize the color. Some Bulova watches feature pure gold or silver accents. Watches on the more casual end of Bulova spectrum may feature bands made of durable leather in a variety of colors and textures.
Case material
The case of a watch is the portion containing the dial, face, and components that allow the watch to keep time. Nearly all Bulova watches for women feature a stainless steel case. As with the band, stainless steel is an excellent material because it’s durable, corrosion-resistant, and less likely to cause a skin reaction than some other materials.
Some Bulova watches feature a built-in calendar that keeps track of the date.
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Features
Color
As mentioned, the stainless steel band of a Bulova watch may be covered with plating.
Silver: This is the most common option for Bulova bands and cases, and it blends well with most outfits.
Gold: Another popular option, gold tends to stand out more than silver. It’s an ideal option if you desire a bold statement watch.
Rose gold: If you want something a bit more subtle than gold, consider rose gold. It has a warm finish and a softer appearance than bright gold.
Crystal
A watch face is made of crystal, which helps protect the face from scratches and other damage. Bulova watches for women feature either mineral crystal or sapphire crystal.
Mineral crystal
Lower-end Bulova watches typically feature mineral crystal, which is made of glass crystal that has been heat-treated or chemically treated to make it hard, strong, and resistant to scratches. Notably, mineral crystal is not entirely scratch-proof, but it also isn’t likely to shatter or crack.
Sapphire crystal
Sapphire crystal is found on nearly all of Bulova’s higher-end watches. It is three times harder than mineral crystal, so it is scratch-resistant and highly resistant to shattering and cracking. Expect to pay more for a Bulova watch with sapphire crystal.
Index
A watch’s index is the markings featured on the dial to indicate the time. Bulova watches feature several index styles.
Roman numerals: Watches with Roman numerals are common among Bulova’s offerings. Some feature numerals all around the dial while others position them only at twelve, three, six, and nine o’clock.
Stick: Models with a stick index have simple lines around the watch dial. As with Roman numerals, some watches have sticks all the way around while others place them only at twelve, three, six, and nine o’clock. Many Bulova watches are available with a stick index.
Mixed: Watches with a mixed index feature a combination of Roman numerals and stick markings. In most cases, Roman numerals sit at the twelve and six o’clock positions, and sticks fill in the remaining spots.
Subdials
Some Bulova women’s watches have subdials on the face. These mini dials can perform different functions, but most are chronograph subdials. They function as a stopwatch to keep track of seconds as they tick by.
Water resistance
Most Bulova watches offer some degree of water resistance. Most are water-resistant up to 30 meters, but some are safe up to 100 meters.
Embellishments
Bulova has a reputation for making high-end luxury watches, so many of their timepieces feature embellishments that make the watch a true statement piece. You can find styles with diamonds on the dial, bezel, or around the watch case. Other watches are embellished with Swarovski crystals on the dial, bezel, around the case, or on the band itself.
DID YOU KNOW?
A quartz watch not only requires less maintenance but also provides more accurate time.
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Bulova watches for women: prices
Low-end: The most affordable Bulova watches for women tend to have a leather strap or a simple stainless steel bracelet band. They feature mineral crystal and are water-resistant to 50 meters or less. Some feature embellishments like Swarovski crystals. Expect to pay between $125 and $460 for these watches.
Mid-range: For $460 to $1,000, Bulova watches for women are usually bracelet or bangle styles made of stainless steel. They may feature silver, gold, or rose gold plating as well as durable sapphire crystal. Embellishments such as Swarovski crystals or small diamonds are common, as is water-resistance of 50 meters or more.
High-end: The priciest Bulova watches for women are usually bracelet styles made of stainless steel and plated with silver, gold, or rose gold. They have a sapphire crystal, may be water-resistant up to 100 meters, and are often embellished with diamonds, too. Expect to pay between $1,000 and $5,200 for a high-end Bulova watch.
Some Bulova watches have luminous hands that are easy to read in the dark.
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Tips
- If you’re unsure which color you want, consider the jewelry you usually wear. If you wear a lot of gold, a gold-plated watch would fit right in. The same goes for silver. If you wear a mix of gold and silver, look for a two-tone Bulova watch. It will have gold and silver elements to match any type of jewelry you might wear.
- You can also choose a watch color based on your skin tone. If you have warm skin with yellow or golden undertones, a gold or rose gold watch may be your best bet. If you have cool skin with pink or red undertones, a silver watch is typically the most flattering.
- Carefully decide which wrist will wear the watch. While most people wear their watch on their dominant hand, you may prefer wearing it on your non-dominant hand to avoid scratching or damaging the timepiece.
FAQ
Q. Do Bulova watches require winding?
A. It depends on the model. Some styles feature quartz movement that runs on battery power, so no winding is required. Others are automatic, which means kinetic energy from your movement helps power the watch. Still others require winding because the movements are mechanical. The owner’s manual should explain what kind of maintenance is required.
Q. How will I know if my Bulova watch is water-resistant?
A. Check the back of the watch case. If it only says “Water Resistant,” it’s not safe for swimming but can withstand splashing. Those that say “Water Resistant” and then feature a marking like 30m or 100m are water-resistant up to the meter depth listed.
Q. Do Bulova watches come with a warranty?
A. Most Bulova watches include a three-year limited warranty, but you must register the watch to activate it. Coverage protects against issues that result from defects in the materials and workmanship.
