Bulova, like a seasoned sailor returning to port, has dredged up a slice of horological history with its new Marine Star Heritage—a watch that winks at the 1970s while flexing modern quartz muscle. This isn’t just another "heritage" rehash; it’s a deliberate dance between nostalgia and innovation, wrapped in a chunky, tool-worthy package.
At its core thrums Bulova’s caliber NP20, a quartz movement that scoffs at the languid tick of ordinary battery-powered timekeepers. Operating at a frenetic 262,000 kHz—eight times faster than standard quartz—it achieves near-mechanical smoothness in its chronograph sweep. The secret? A car-key-fob-sized battery and a three-pronged quartz crystal, a setup that grants it seconds-per-year accuracy without demanding monthly battery swaps like its 1970s ancestors.
The watch wears its inspiration lightly. The dial resurrects the original Marine Star’s 10 red stars beneath the logo, but swaps the vintage acrylic for a glare-prone domed sapphire crystal (a fair trade for durability). The ceramic bezel, with its sly red accent, winks at military chronographs of yore while shrugging off scratches. At 43mm wide and 15mm thick, it’s a wrist anchor—unapologetically bold, like a diver’s watch that moonlighted as a pilot’s tool.
Bulova’s devilry lies in the subtleties:
In a market drowning in faux-vintage homages, the Marine Star Heritage stands out by embracing, not aping, its DNA. It’s proof that high-accuracy quartz can wear a classic suit—and that Bulova, 150 years in, still knows how to surprise. Priced accessibly as a "special edition," it’s a gateway drug for enthusiasts torn between mechanical romance and quartz pragmatism.
For: Those who want a sweeping seconds hand without the mechanical fuss, or a retro sport watch that doesn’t skimp on tech.
Against: Its heft won’t suit dainty wrists, and explaining the Precisionist’s premium over basic quartz requires patience.
