Are you looking to buy an affordable luxury watch but could not seem to decide between Bulova or Movado watch? Do you want to know which watch brand is better Bulova or Movado?
Do not worry! In this article, I have done a detailed Bulova vs Movado face-off so that you can make an informed decision in choosing your next affordable luxury watch. Watches from both the brands fall under a similar price category but let us look at which ones are better and which are the most popular watches from both the brands.
Quick Navigation
- Movado Vs Bulova
- Bulova Vs Movado: Watch Collections
- Popular Watches From Movado
- Popular Watches From Bulova
- Movado Vs Bulova: Which Is Better?
- FAQs
Movado Vs Bulova
We all know how much a watch brand’s heritage and history matter in the watch industry. So let us start by looking at the history of both the brands one by one. Then we will dive into their watch collections and see some of the most popular watches from both brands.
Bulova
Bulova is an American brand and it started its operations in 1875 as a jewelry store under the name J. Bulova Company. It was named after its founder Joseph Bulova. The company slowly started making clocks and pocket watches and in 1911 it set up its manufacturing unit in Switzerland to manufacture watch components. Later the company shifted its focus to manufacturing watches and in 1923 it was renamed Bulova Watch Company.
Since then Bulova has continued to surprise the world with its many innovations and has continued making some of the exquisite timepieces. Let us look at a few of its innovations that changed its fate as well as the fate of the watch industry.
In the 1960s it launched the first fully electronic watch with its proprietary tuning-fork technology. The watch was named Accutron and back then it was the most accurate watch in the world. And even today it is one of the most popular watches of the company. In 2008 the company was acquired by the Japanese watchmaking giant, Citizen. Then in 2010, the company launched its Precisionist collection which has claimed time variation of just 10 seconds a year. In 2016 the company launched its CURV collection, which has the world’s first curved chronograph watch movement.
Today, Bulova is known to make precise and accurate watches that look expensive but are actually cheap when compared to other luxury watch brands.
Movado
Movado is also an American brand today but it was originally a Swiss brand. It started its operation as a workshop in 1881. The company was renamed in 1905 by its founder Achilles Ditesheim as Movado, which means ‘Always In Motion’.
In 1947, the company launched its iconic museum watch, it had a minimalist dial with a circle placed at 12 o’clock position. It was the first watch dial that was accepted by the New York’s Museum of Modern Art as a part of its permanent design collection. Even today, this design of Movado distinguishes its watches from other brands in the market. In 1983, Movado was purchased by the North American Watch Corporation and hence it became an American brand.
Today, Movado is a well-known watch brand that even owns some of the popular watch brands like Hugo Boss, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. Movado is famous for its minimalistic yet rich and beautiful-looking timepieces.
Bulova Vs Movado: Watch Collections
Let us now look at the watch collections of both brands.
Bulova Watch Collection
1) Classic
The Classic series of the company as the name suggests includes elegant and classic timepieces. These watches can be worn with formal attires and also go really well with dresses.
2) Precisionist
The Precision collection of the company includes some of the most accurate watches the company has to offer. These watches are based on quartz movement and they really follow a unique design.
3) Oceanography
This collection of the company is specially focused on all the divers out there and has affordable diver’s watches.
4) CURV
CURV collection of the company offers the world’s first curved chronograph movement. It has both dress and sporty looking watches. These watches follow unique-looking designs.
Movado Watch Collection
1) Series 800
Like the Oceanography series of Bulova, Series 800 of the Movado has diver’s watches of the company.
2) Movado Bold
Movado Bold collection of the company has some of the flashiest watches that the company has to offer. These watches are no less than pieces of jewelry.
3) Museum Classic
This collection of Movado has the most simplistic-looking watch dials with some watches just having a circle at 12 o’clock position, hands, and no markers.
4) 1881 Automatic
1881 Automatic collection as the name suggests, has all the automatic watches that the company has to offer.
Popular Watches From Movado
1) Movado Museum Classic
Movado museum classic is one of the most popular watches from Movado under $500. It follows a simplistic yet rich-looking design and has a gold-colored stainless steel dial and a black leather strap. The watch has only two hands which are also in golden color and there is a golden circle at the 12 o’clock position. This watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement and keeps the time accurately.
The timepiece features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal therefore you do not have to worry about the watch getting scratched. Moreover, the watch comes with a water-resistant rating of 30M, which only protects it from water splashes and rains and it could have been better considering the price point.
If you are looking to buy a watch that follows a simplistic and timeless design then this could be a better option for you.
2) Movado Bold Two Tone
Movado Bold Two-Tone, as the name suggests, is a two-tone watch. It is part of the Movado Bold collection of the company and it is no less than a piece of jewelry. This watch is powered by a Swiss quartz movement and follows a minimalistic design, like other watches from the brand.
The timepiece has a stainless steel case and bracelet with golden highlights, there is also Movado’s iconic golden circle at the 12 o’clock position. To protect the watch from scratches there is a K1 mineral crystal at the top. This watch also features a push-button deployment clasp which makes it very easy to wear and take off.
If you are looking to buy a watch that you can wear to parties and functions then this could be the watch for you.
Popular Watches From Bulova
1) Bulova Classic Automatic
Bulova Classic Automatic is one of the most popular watches from Bulova. It features a stainless steel case, a black leather strap, and its hands and crown are coated in rose gold color.
This timepiece is powered by an automatic movement and features a 40-hour power reserve. Therefore the watch gets charged as you move your hand and it will keep running even if you do not wear it for a day and a half. There are also 21 jewels at work, which you can look at from the small see-through window on its dial. And in case you want to have a better look then you can look at them from its exhibition case back.
The 30M water-resistant rating of the watch protects it from water splashes and rains. However, it could have been way better.
2) Bulova Precisionist Chronograph
This watch belongs to the Precisionist collection of the company and is one the most accurate watches the company has to offer. It runs on the company’s proprietary precisionist eight-hand quartz movement.
The timepiece also features a curved mineral crystal that protects the watch from scratches. And its chronograph features let you measure the elapsed time of your exercise and activities. The watch also features a tachymeter so in case you are into motor racing you can use it to calculate speed. There is also a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock position to help you remember the date of the month.
This timepiece also features a 300M water-resistant rating, screw-down case back, screw-down crown, and luminous hands and markers so you can also use it for recreational diving. However, the bezel of the watch is stationary and you will have to start your dive once the minute’s hand hits the 12-hour mark.
Movado Vs Bulova: Which Is Better?
If you are this far in this article then I am sure you have already chosen your favorite. But in case you are still wondering which of the two brands is better then let me help you out.
Both brands are equally good, if you do not have a specific preference then you can choose either of them and you will not regret it.
However, if you want a watch with a minimalist and simplistic looking design then choosing a Movado watch will make more sense. And if you want a watch that keeps the time accurately and also has more features then choosing a Bulova watch will make more sense.
FAQs
Is Bulova A Luxury Brand?
Yes, Bulova manufactures affordable luxury watches with most of its watches costing in the range of $300 to $1000.
Is Movado A Luxury Brand?
Yes, Movado is an affordable luxury brand, and most of its watches cost in the range of $400 to $1000.
Is Bulova A Swiss Brand?
No, Bulova is an American brand.
Where Are Movado Watches Made?
Movado watches are made in Switzerland.
Is Movado A Cheap Brand?
No, Movado is not a cheap brand and most of its watches cost around $600.
