Watch brands are increasingly diving into their archives for new watch releases and who can blame them when retro-inspired watches are very much having a moment. Bulova decided to draw from the 1970s, a decade that saw watchmakers introduce huge innovations to keep up with the new and cheap quartz watches from Japan. As such, we have the very interestingly shaped Jetstar from 1973 that Bulova is reimagining for 2023.
We have three new models on display here; a steel variant with a red dial, a gold-toned version on a strap, and a commemorative limited edition steel on a steel bracelet with a silver dial.
Without a doubt, the most 70s looking of the trio is the gold-toned version with its warm colourway involving various browns and yellows. This is certainly more evocative of the era than the red dialled steel version, though it has its own charm.
Finally we have 7,300 limited edition box set pieces that arrive on both a steel bracelet and strap. This one is all about the red, white, and blue though silver would be more appropriate, Red and blue accent the indices as well as the infinity emblem with the accompanying text “262 kHz”, indicating the frequency of the movement.
Speaking of movements, powering these is the Bulova Manufacture Precisionist High Precision Quartz movement, accurate within +/- 5 seconds per month. While it is battery operated, it beats 16 times per second allowing for a smooth sweep regardless.
The original Jetstar had an automatic movement, but that isn’t the only change from the original. The case is 40mm, slightly larger than the original, but thanks to its case shape and the short lug, it shouldn’t wear like a 40mm watch.
The non-limited models will be priced at $595 USD, while the limited edition comes in at $695 USD. Both are available now, though they aren’t available from Bulova’s Australian website, but there hasn’t been any suggestion that this is a geographical exclusive.
