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Bulova Moon Watch | Watch Review

Bulova Moon Watch

While some watches could only dream of being a part of space exploration history, Bulova made it a reality in July 1971 aboard Apollo 15, NASA’s fourth manned mission to land on the surface of the moon. Commander over the mission, dubbed as NASA’s “most successful manned flight ever achieved,” was Dave Scott. For Bulova, its opportunity for spaceflight could only be described as purposeful serendipity since NASA’s astronauts had been issued Omega Speedmaster Professional watches since 1965. But, as the story goes (depending on whose version you choose to believe), Scott’s Speedmaster broke, which made it useless not only on earth but in space as well. Luckily for Scott and Bulova, his on-deck replacement was the original chronograph version of the Bulova Moon Watch (model 96B258) that I’m now able to wear and review today.

Bulova Moon Watch Specs:

• Case Diameter: 45mm
• Case Height: 13.mm
• Lug Width: 20mm
• Lug to Lug: 48mm
• Straps: Bracelet
• Movement: Ultra-High Frequency Quartz
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 50m

Retail Price: $550 (approximate USD)

To start, it’s important to note there are two versions of the Bulova Moon Watch that, at the time of this review, is available via a limited release. (Many dealers will have stock in July).  Each version comes with a different gift box presentation, but the wow factor remains the same. The version I purchased came with a stainless steel bracelet as opposed to the leather/ commemorative nylon strap combo. This combo was simply personal preference, as I happen to be a bracelet man myself.
Stored within an outer two-piece Bulova embossed cardboard box, I found a hinged clam-shell type box that far exceeded my expectations. Few boxes get my juices pumping, but for whatever reason, Bulova’s did. Perhaps it was the anticipation of wearing a piece of lunar history, but I remember literally saying “wow” out loud after giving it a glance. Inside you’ll find the watch, an instruction manual, a certificate of authenticity, and a small booklet detailing how this Bulova Moon Watch “replica” came to be. More on that later.

7 1/2 inch wrist for reference

Bulova’s bright white applied index markers pop nicely against the dark, deep-set, multi-level dial, as do the Moon Watch’s complete long and slender handset. While for some this is something to be taken at face value, I found it to be a bit reminiscent of the wonder-filled blanket we call space. While some have said that a chronograph would be an odd choice for an astronaut to wear, I beg to differ. Sure, some have too many complications and mismatched colored dials, but one of the many things that makes this Bulova Moon Watch superb is its highly clean, crisp, legible dial.

Three sunburst-like sub-dial registers, located in the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions, are purposefully designed to score different intervals of time: 1/10 second register, running seconds and chronograph minutes (up to one hour). A tall tachymeter ring, which allows the wearer to measure speed and distance, surrounds the dial, although for most it will simply be an underutilized tool on Bulova’s bat belt that simply looks cool on the watch. While the dial markers and the watch’s hands are highly luminous, the blueish glow is short-lived. The brand’s name, boldly written across the top portion of the dial, seems to say, “We’re proud of who we were, who we are, and most importantly, where we’re going!”
The square date window, located in between the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock markers, works well with the design. The original Bulova Moon Watch completely omitted the date function. Remember, in space (the intended canvas for the original), the passage of seconds matter more than the passage of days. Pay close attention to the 6 o’clock sub-dial and the information printed inside of it. This is, after all, Bulova’s coup de grace for those suffering from the common quartz flu. Powering this timepiece is Bulova’s industry exclusive, high frequency quartz with a frequency of 262 kHz, which delivers a smoother chronograph sweep resembling that of an automatic movement.

The 316L stainless steel case measures 45mm but wears slightly smaller than its numerical data would indicate. At only 13.5mm in height, the three-tiered case fits nicely underneath a dress shirt sleeve, which I believe will better suit (pun intended) its targeted audience, especially since the Bulova Moon Watch comes in at only 50m of water resistance. Two paddle-like pushers, modeled after the original 1971 Bulova Moon Watch, traverse nearly the entire right side of the watch, less the signed crown, located in the 3 o’clock position. The top pusher starts and stops the chronograph function, while the bottom pusher resets the hands to zero. Chrono hands not at zero? No problem, as both pushers allow you to recenter the hands should the watch receive an impact forceful enough to knock them out of place or if a battery change was needed.

Appearing to float high above the Bulova Moon Watch’s case is the thick anti-reflective sapphire crystal; a unique feature I grew to love. Some may worry about the crystal’s resilience to certain objects since it sticks out like a sore thumb, but quite frankly, it’s nothing I worry about. If you’re hard on every watch in your collection, no matter the situation, this may be something to consider.

The case back, which can only be described as flat, sleek and sexy, is perhaps more important to Bulova than any other portion of the watch. It had to be well-executed, as it rejuvenates their past and makes their iconic walk in space relevant once more. Purposely left for last, some have shown great disdain for Bulova’s choice to use a brushed bracelet against their satin case. Truth be told, I probably wouldn’t have noticed this if no one else had mentioned it. The use of juxtaposing finishes is something that I’ve come to expect from a watch far beyond the Bulova Moon Watch’s price point, and to find it on such an affordable timepiece is icing on the cake.

The 20mm presidential-like bracelet is among one of the best I’ve reviewed. It’s comfortable, good-looking, and its butterfly clasp continues to function flawlessly. Bulova’s classic tuning fork logo is found on the 6 o’clock side of the bracelet, but it’s minimal, which makes the branding seem humble or a mere afterthought.

Bulova swung for the fence early on at Basel 2016, taking the saying “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” to heart. For many, the term replica has a negative undertone, as it usually references intellectual theft. In this case, Bulova was purposeful in its description, as the term is defined as: a copy or reproduction of a work of art produced by the maker of the original or under his or her supervision. While not exactly a subliminal message, it softly echoes in your ear that the Bulova Moon Watch of today transcends an ordinary reissue, as it was reproduced by Bulova itself. And if we were to embody the literal definition of a replica, then we would do so under the premise that the 1971 Bulova is, in fact, an original masterpiece brought back to life.

Picture of the Orignal  Bulova Moon Watch, with its “replica” of today.

Thank you for reading, and hope you enjoyed my look at the Bulova Moon Watch, a modern interpretation of a watch from our space exploration history. Please leave your comment in the field below the picture gallery.

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Swiss Military Tank | Video Review

Swiss Military Tank | Video Review

Hands on video review of the Swiss Military Tank

The post Swiss Military Tank | Video Review appeared first on WatchReport.com | Real. Honest. Reviews. | Authentic Watch Reviews |.

Swiss Military Tank Nero| Watch Review

Swiss Military Tank Nero

Swiss Military Tank Nero Specifications:

• 44mm wide stainless steel Black PVD case
• 12mm thick
• 22mm lug width
• 12mm thick
• 102 grams in weight
• Ronda 517 Swiss made movement
• Sapphire crystal
• 200m water resistant

Price $438 USD

http://swiss-military.com/swiss-military/models/army/tank-nero-rawhide.html

7 1/2 inch wrist for reference

Swiss Military Watches are under the umbrella of CX or Charmex Swiss Military, but is their more affordable and less feature heavy line, if you will. Many I’m sure are familiar with the CX Swiss Military 20,000 feet diver, which has attained a few world records. And while that is a beast of a dive watch with a hefty price tag, the Swiss Military Tank Nero, (Or just Tank if opting for the stainless version) is an attractive and affordable diver with a slim profile, eye catching patterned dial, and dependable quartz movement.

As I mentioned, the Nero signifies the PVD version, as their stainless models are dubbed just Tank. Both are available in a few color options, and you can choose either  a mesh bracelet or canvas strap with leather backing. The canvas option that I chose for review is actually listed as ‘Tank Nero Rawhide”.  It is a little strange to me that they have different names for the same model that just has different finishes or strap options, but that is what they went with.

While I know quartz can be a very bad word in the online watch community, I have no issues with a well made quartz watch. Granted, price is a factor, but when we are talking about a Swiss Made watch that is under $500, I think it is more than okay. Of course, some will disagree with me on that, and I take no offence. We all like things for different reasons, and us watch fanatics can be fickle. And of course, the microbrand watch world has spoiled many with automatic movements in watches costing $400, with sapphire crystals and lumed bezels and such.

One thing that always worries me about PVD coated cases, is if the coating will hold up. I think many times these days, especially on the forums and other watch groups, people think DLC is the only way to go when coating a case. What most don’t realize is that DLC is only a medium, and applied using the PVD process (Physical Vapor Deposition). I have seen watches listed as DLC and the coating has worn off or scratched easily within a few months, and I have had watches listed as PVD (where the medium used to coat the watch is not being stated) and it has held up perfectly even with some abuse. Like any product that can be produced these days, it is the quality of such that is important. So far the Swiss Military Tank Nero has proven to have a quality PVD coating. It has been banged into car doors and walls and even accidentally hit with my bracelet and it looks brand new. Having a company such as Swiss Military making the watch helps, as they have a standard set in place that some just do not.

Now, while I have praised many attributes of the Tank Nero, there is one thing of important note I encountered on the example I was sent for review. The second hand does not line up with every marker precisely like it should. I do not want to harp on this, but the fact is when you are producing a $438 quartz watch, the seconds hand should tick perfectly with all the markers. Have I personally seen this issue with watches costing much more than this? Yes, I have, but that doesn’t make it right either. As always, it could just be my example as well, but if this bothers you or are OCD, I would ask the company to check it before purchasing.

The entire case is brushed before the PVD coating is applied and the only polished areas would be the aluminum piece on the crown, which is anodized orange to match the color of the chapter ring. This is a nice touch and gives the watch that little extra pop of color. The crown is heavily knurled giving good traction and just like the bezel, easy to grasp and operate. Both the crown and the bezel are firm and precise, as they should be.

The center dial is textured, I want to call it a diamond or grid pattern, and if you look at the bezel, you can see this same texture is used to allow you to get a better purchase on it. Having the dial texture match the bezel is, again, very cohesive and shows that they have an eye for design, tying certain elements together. The hour and minute hand prominently overlap each other, which is usually something I am not overly fond of, but with the dial being black, they blend in to a point it is not as noticeable. I’m sure on the white dial version, this could be a point of contention for some.

The canvas strap is another aspect that I am not in love with. I was asked specifically if I would like the mesh bracelet or canvas strap option sent. Since I tend to like straps better these days, and I do own quite a few canvas straps myself that I love, I chose canvas. As far as look and build quality is concerned, there are no problems. The canvas is not super soft and should not fray easily, the contrast stitching matches the dial color, and the leather backing is soft. My issue is the strap is super stiff. Like dam stiff. I am sure after wearing for a few weeks or if I were to bend it and such, I could get it to break in, but honestly I did not feel like waiting for it. I put it on a Hirsch rubber, which is how I wore the watch during the review process.  What I didn’t realize until I went to put it on, was that the same diamond pattern on the dial is also on the strap, so it looks like it came with it.  So if you like the combo below, the strap is a Hirsch Accent rubber. Fantastic strap, but not cheap.

The lume is bright, especially on the hour and minute hands, (you’ll notice the second hand is not lumed), though the markers are somewhat dimmer, even after a good charge.

Overall, I am pleased with the Swiss Military Tank Nero. It has a great look to it, a slim case design, and priced under $500, so is budget friendly for most. While I didn’t mention it above, the case back is stamped and smartly they stayed away from doing a PVD finish to it, which can be marred or scratched when doing a battery change. I hope that all do not have the second hand issue I mentioned and even though the canvas strap is stiff, it does look great. And if canvas is not your thing, check it out on the mesh bracelet.

Thank you for reading, please leave your comments in the field below the picture gallery.

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