Elevate your personal style with a touch of timeless luxury.
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This story was created by Men's Journal in partnership with Bulova.
Elevating an entire look, whether it’s workwear or a more casual outfit, is usually more straightforward than you’d think. For men, it only requires one or two quality pieces. A stylish jacket, for instance, adds a bit of texture and interest, and a complementary accessory, like a classic watch, gives the ensemble a thoughtful final touch. Not just any watch will achieve this desired transformation, though. For the right amount of wearability and sophistication, you’ll want a watch from Bulova. The American company has nearly 150 years of experience crafting exceptional watches—from everyday styles to more elegant luxury timepieces worn to mark life’s special occasions.
So if you’re interested in upgrading your look this year, keep reading. We put together a definitive list of the best men’s watches from Bulova under $1,000—and some are even on sale.
If the phrase “quiet luxury” resonates with you, this watch might be your next purchase. From the outside, the Lunar Pilot flies under the radar. But if you take a closer look at its features—anti-reflective sapphire glass, a surgical-grade stainless steel case, a tachymeter, and a calendar—you’ll see there’s more to the story than you may have initially expected. Plus, the silver and black color pairing looks neutral without translating as too basic.
Watch-making is a true art, and perhaps no other watch demonstrates this as clearly as the CURV. The five-hand chronograph comes in a stainless steel case, with a black and transparent brown dial, gray hands and markers, and an alligator grain textured brown leather strap. The latter, as attested by several shoppers, is unparalleled in comfort—it “hugs [the] wrist nicely,” says one reviewer.
If you’re searching for an everyday watch with an impressive presence, consider the Surveyor Classic. At first, the stainless steel case—with coordinating silver-tone hands and markers—appears as the primary feature of the watch, but it’s actually the deep blue dial that steals the show. Fair warning before you fasten the fold-over double-push closure, though: You may receive questions and comments about the watch on a regular basis. According to one shopper, they “cannot stop getting compliments” whenever they wear it.
Gold tones and brown leather are a classy and perennial pairing, especially when featured on a watch like the American Clipper. The battery-powered timepiece also has a dark blue dial that feels pleasantly unexpected yet right at home—it may turn a few heads, but it doesn’t look overly bright or colorful. Outside of the watch’s coordinating shades, there’s also the slim profile, simple three-piece buckle closure, and impact- and shatter-resistant crystal that ensure the style can be worn with most outfits and for most occasions.
Traditional style meets modern technology in Bulova’s Wilton GMT, a timepiece made specifically for world travelers. While there’s no doubt it’s a beautiful watch—take a peek at the dial’s world map—its looks are outshone by its unique time-tracking capabilities. As a GMT watch, it has both a 24-hour and a 12-hour timescale, and it was designed to simultaneously show two different time zones.
The color combination of black and gold is the flashier cousin of brown and gold—and it’s equally as appealing in watch form. The Futuro Modern’s black stainless steel case and black dial perfectly contrast with the gold-tone hands, and the same color scheme appears on the bracelet and deployment closure. This particular style also comes with the notable day/date/24-hour feature, which will help keep its owner organized and on time.
There are subtle watches, and then there’s the Octava Crystal. As a full skeleton style (meaning you can see all of the inner workings), this mechanical watch is all about the details. Note the 251 crystals on the bezel, bracelet, and dial, as well as the gold-tone accents that offset the gray stainless steel. And if you couldn’t tell from the visible gears, you’ll never need a battery to operate the watch; it’s powered by the release of a wound spring.
If you’re looking for a heftier watch, the Marine Star Series A might be the timepiece for you. The gold-tone stainless steel case is paired with a black dial and flat mineral crystal, and the dial aperture and exhibition case back give an inside look at the automatic 21-jewel movement functionality. Perhaps the most unexpected feature of the watch, though, is the fact that it’s water resistant up to 200 meters. You can practically take it anywhere.
For the man who appreciates accuracy more than anything, there’s the Icon. Bulova’s proprietary three-prong quartz crystal Precisionist movement allows the watch to come within 1/1000th of a second, so the wearer can always have confidence in their time-telling ability. Not to be outdone, the watch’s physical appearance is just as impressive: The two-tone stainless steel case is accented by a black carbon fiber dial with luminous hands and markers. Like most of Bulova’s styles, the Icon makes a statement without being overly ostentatious.
Fans of the legend himself Frank Sinatra will want to add this extra-special timepiece to their collection immediately. If you look carefully, you’ll see the Sinatra-inspired elements are tastefully placed: His signature and fedora hat are featured on the whiskey-colored dial, and the exhibition case back displays the title of Sinatra’s song “Young at Heart.” The automatic watch also comes with raving reviews from several shoppers. According to one, who described it as “stunning,” it’s “understated yet elegant” and the ”workmanship appears outstanding.”
Celebrated for its blend of technology and design innovation, the Series X features a gray stainless steel case, a black top ring insert, and a blue dial with a calendar window and black and rose gold accents. If you look at the watch in its entirety—including the blue rubber strap—you’ll see it’s a sportier accessory that can be worn as an everyday watch (you may want a dressier accessory for special occasions). And as far as function, you can expect this piece to perform beautifully; the 12-hour chronograph is designed to provide precise timing to 1/1000th of a second.
