Great vintage styling and quality
This review is for a Joseph Bulova Men's Silver Limited Edition Chronograph Watch, model 96C145 purchased at a discount in 2021 from an authorized dealer
It's packaging included a good quality Bulova branded black outer cardboard box with a removable lid, fold open front, and a bottom compartment for paperwork. Inside was a parchment liner with a very nicely finished black wooden box with velvet lining, containing the watch, a brass limited edition plaque, and a leatherette wedge shaped watch pillow. The paperwork included a folded cardboard warranty and registration card with a link to download a (generic) product manual, and a plastic limited edition card (neither the card nor the plaque included the model, unit number, or number of watches in the limited edition). So they did not overspend on packaging, but neither does it feel cheap
The fit and finish of this retro 1940's style chronograph are excellent, with no apparent imperfections anywhere, and it has a high quality look that is great for its price range. It's more of a dress watch than field watch in appearance which is somewhat at odds with having a telemeter scale, but it’s a great looking watch
It features a full high polish 316L stainless steel case, measured at 42mm in diameter not including crown or pushers, 16mm thick with domed sapphire crystal, 48mm lug to lug, 22mm lug width, weighing 3.6oz/102g with gloss black alligator embossed leather strap with polished stainless steel deployant clasp
The silver dial, with blued hands, black markings, and blue telemeter scale is very attractive, crisp, and clear. There is no lume but none was expected. The dial markings are a bit lighter than pictured, but very readable at a glance. The blue hands look anodized in pictures, but in person are much darker (almost black in most light) and appear to be heat blued. This is the only watch I've seen with a telemeter scale that is in miles (and partly why I chose this watch). This is the most (daytime) readable and legible of the many chronographs that I own.
The screw down case back is polished stainless steel with engraved text for make, model, serial number, limited edition ### of 350, Swiss Made, Water Resistant, Stainless Steel, Saphire Crystal, and Joseph Bulova in script. It is half solid and half display back which is something I've never seen before, and offers a partial view of the relatively plain Selita SW500 movement. There is no number on the case back or dial for water resistance but it is advertised as 3bar/30m/100ft (I'd say its splash resistant but I would not submerge it)
The domed sapphire crystal is quite shiny, and there is no noticeable indication of anti-reflective coating inside or out, but in most lighting it does not interfere with reading the dial
Accuracy is good at between –2 and –5 seconds per day
It has a small thin knurled three position push-pull crown (wind, day/date quickset, time set with hacking) that does not feel particularly smooth, precise, or sturdy, but is perfectly functional. The oblong chronograph pushers are very attractive sturdy, and have a good feel.
Overall I am very pleased with the purchase. I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a good quality vintage style entry level mechanical automatic chronograph that’s well built, long lasting, reliable, and easily and inexpensively serviced.
