Introducing: Bulova Reaches Back To The 1970s With The New Jetstar
Bulova is back with another release and again it dives into its archives. When we last left the brand, we were talking about a Sinatra-inspired watch pulling from the 1950s and ’60s designs. Now we move on to the groovy ’70s, a time when watch brands were pivoting in a big way to outlandish, home-run-swing-type timepieces to keep up with the innovation (read: Quartz Revolution) coming out of Japan. In the case of Bulova, that manifested itself in the Jetstar, cased in what the brand refers to as a “turtle” style body with colors and accents that could’ve only been conceived in that decade.
In 2023, the brand is honoring the Jetstar of 1973. Fifty years later and we find ourselves with a trio of pseudo-re-editions that faithfully revive the look and feel of the Jetstar while simultaneously updating the bits under the hood. So in essence, we have three models: one in steel on a strap; one gold-toned on a strap; and a third limited edition on a steel bracelet in a commemorative box – with an extra strap.
The gold-toned version is the most evocative of the decade from which the model was born. It’s basically shag carpeting in watch form and captures the color palette of the era. The smoked yellow dial, the brown accents, and the red second hand are paired with the more muted white printing of the dial text. Then there’s the steel-on-steel model with a merlot red dial and black and red accent colors. This one comes affixed to a steel bracelet with a hidden deployant clasp.
Rounding things out is the limited edition box set piece (limited to a whopping 7,300 pieces), which comes both on a steel bracelet and an accompanying strap. This one is all about the red, white, and blue with a silver dial and the stylized red and blue infinity emblem accompanying text indicating the 262 kHz movement inside. The proposition behind this Bulova Manufacture Precisionist High Precision Quartz movement is its precision (accurate to within +/- 5 seconds per month), and its smooth sweep despite the use of a battery, as it beats 16 times per second.
Looking back into the archives you find OG Jetstar watches equipped with automatic movements featuring both a day and date complication. I was heartened to see that the newer models (with precision quartz calibers) utilize a simple date display. This watch is a lot by way of aesthetics, and any way you can further simplify it is a win.
It actually reminds me a bit of the Hamilton Pan-Europe in the way it speaks to a very specific moment in watch design. And while there is no shortage of brands reaching back into their respective archives with revivals such as this one, I think the Jetstar is a special enough proposition worthy of re-entry into the market.
I do, however, think that it speaks to a certain kind of consumer: the hardcore enthusiast. But hey, what’s wrong with that? I tend to think a good deal of us would fall into that category. Bulova generally does nice work segmenting its catalog between mass-market models and things like this. When it comes to Bulova, it helps to understand that this is a brand with serious history. I think these Jetstars provide that context, or at least challenge us to dig a bit deeper ourselves.
Of the three, I am partial to the gold-toned model. I got a chance to see all of these in the metal and the combination of strap, case, and dial design is a real win here. The 40mm sizing feels appropriate without diminishing any of the vintage feel. I understand it is a slight upsize over the original, but with the turtle shape, it wears closer to 38 or 39mm anyhow due to the vintage-inspired short lugs. And with the closed caseback you sort of feel like you’re handling a much older watch.
Again, this will likely speak to a very specific audience, but I think it will make that audience very happy. The non-limited models will be priced at $595 and the limited will have a $695 price tag, and both are available now.
The Bulova Jetstar: 40mm case diameter in a “turtle” shape; stainless steel case or a gold-toned stainless steel case; steel models (not in gold tone) come affixed to a steel bracelet with a hidden deployant clasp; dial colors are merlot, silver, or yellow; movement is the Bulova Manufacture Precisionist High Precision Quartz movement, which beats 16 times per second; silver dial model is limited to 7,300 pieces and comes in special box with blue leather strap in addition to bracelet; Price: $595 for non-limited models and $695 for limited model.
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For more on the Jetstar, visit Bulova online. Hodinkee is an authorized retailer of Bulova watches.
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