Stuckx Bull | Watch Review

Stuckx Bull Chronograph

Stuckx Bull Specifications:

• 42mm 316L stainless steel case in bullhead style
• 44mm lug to lug
• Height approx 13mm
• Strap size 22mm
• Polished black ceramic bezel inlay, unidirectional turning bezel
• VK series Seiko/TMI movement. High quality mecha-quartz movement with mechanical pusher feel and smooth running chrono hand
• 316L steel case in brushed finish
• Water resistance of 200 m
• Sapphire crystal (flat)
• Leather strap with signed buckle
• 24 Months warranty

Price $375 USD

http://webshop.stuckx.com/web-store/300073–panda-bull.html

Stuckx Watches. Yes, Stuckx. A brand that has attempted to stand out from the pack, as the name would suggest. The name does stand out, but that is not the only thing that does. Unlike so many micro brands that are using an homage or at the very least similar styles to watches on the market, past or present, Stuckx wanted to go a different route. And that is almost always a good thing, I mean at least they are attempting to be original, and who can fault a company for that? The Stuckx Bull that I am reviewing here, should be familiar to some WatchReport readers, as I reviewed the prototype last summer. Since then, Stuckx has gone on to have a successful Kickstarter campaign for this model, and also released another model, the gargantuan dive watch, the Rock.

Production on the Stuckx Bull, short for Bullhead, has been complete for a few months now, and I am lucky enough to review the updated version here today. Though there are not many changes from the prototype to this production model (besides the fact this is a fully working watch), the fit and finish is far superior and it also allows me to check out the packaging, the leather straps and another color variation, this time the Panda dial.

Right out of the gate, the biggest thing that sets the the Stuckx apart, is the unique case shape that lends itself to the bullhead chronograph. Not all bullhead chronograph watches are created equal, and the sloping (or tapering, depending on how you are viewing it) case is not exclusive to Stuckx either, but they did put their own spin on it, with how they did the lug design. I’ll be honest, the case design is not going to be for everyone, and that is okay, Stuckx Watches is well aware of this. The design itself is very much a throwback to watches of the 70’s, but includes modern elements as well, making it very much Stuckx.

You can argue about what is the best feature of the Stuckx Bull, but I will personally say it is the VK Mecha-Quartz chronograph. First, I enjoy a two eye chronograph, for the cleaner look it has. Second, the snap back chrono hand feature is so much more pleasurable to use than the standard quartz chronograph. We are now seeing this movements pop up more recently in other microbrand watches, and I am glad we are. While we are on the topic of the movement, let’s take a look at the case back, the one major part of the Bull I am not fond of. Obviously, it is very plain, and was left blank, with the exception of specification engraving around the outer edge. This case back is just crying for some decoration, and with such a nice logo as Stuckx created, I am surprised they did not have it engraved here.

The dial color variation shown here, dubbed the Panda because of its white dial with black sub-dials, is one of many of the Bull. Some of the color variations are 3 eye chronographs, if you prefer that classic chrono look. I chose the white dial to do the follow up review on, because I just like that clean black and white aesthetic, and I feel the contrast of the black sub dials on the white dial is the easiest to read, and “pops” more. My biggest gripe of the dial? The hour and minute hand orange color, does not match the orange hour markers or the lume pip, which is noticeably a darker shade. Was this done on purpose? That I am not sure, but I feel the look would be more cohesive if the colors matched.

The ceramic bezel is another highlight of the Stuckx Bull, using a unique cutout around the bezel insert instead of your traditional hash markers or numbers. Could it be used to actually time something? Im sure if you really wanted to, it could be done, but I think it is done more for style than anything else. Not a negative in my opinion, I think the whole point of this watch is style and design, and bezel functionality was not a number one concern. The bezel is somewhat hard to grasp, but it does stay in place where you put it.

When it comes to crown and pusher action, it is smooth as butter. Both pushers have a precise “click” when being used, and the screw down crown is strong and has no wobble or play, and setting the time and date is done with an even consistency. If you have not owned a bullhead chronograph before, it can be a little awkward setting the time while on the wrist, but I found I got used to it rather quickly. With this being a quartz, you won’t be setting the time that often anyways, and normally I do it before I put it on my wrist anyways.

On my 7 ½ inch wrist, the Stuckx Bull sits comfortably, and lays relatively flat. As I mention in the video, it make take some getting used to with the sloping case, it looks odd at first, especially when switching from a standard watch. When it comes to the leather strap, it is a well made and padded leather, but is on the short side. If you have a larger wrist than mine, you probably will not be able to wear the Stuckx on the supplied leather strap. I would inquire with them if they have longer straps available before ordering.

Is the Stuckx Bull a winner? I think so. Though I mention a few things like the case back being left blank and the short strap, I do not think they are things that would keep me from recommending this watch, especially if you are looking for something different from the norm. The one thing I didn’t mention, the lume, was because I felt it doesn’t warrant its own section. The Stuckx Bull is not a lume-tastic model, and I don’t think it was meant to be. While the hands and lume pip do glow when charged, the markers do not. Well, they do, but it lasts for a minute at best, and I could not get them to show up in my photo below. Obviously if lume is a major buying factor for you, I would look elsewhere. If you are like me, and you appreciate more than just how a watch can glow in the dark, I think the Stuckx Bull is pretty damn cool. Yep, that’s how I will sum it up, pretty damn cool. Now all you critics can flame me for my lack of vocabulary or whatever, but sometimes that is just how you want to express your view on something.

 

Pretty Damn COOL.

 

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