07/28/2022

Bulova Takes to the Waves with Two New Marine Star Series C Timepieces

Fun times on the high seas on the horizon? Even if your summer is turning out more land-locked than salt-kissed, one of these new Bulova yachting timepieces will blow a little wind into your sails.

By Mike Espindle

Executive Editor

With perfect timing for summer’s sailing season, Bulova has crashed champagne against the bow of two executions of its popular Marine Star yachting watches in the automatic C Series.

And, like the shimmering see-through nature of ocean waves, both models incorporate some sunny visibility via skeletonized dials and a dedicated full aperture at 7 o’clock that gives you a “Land ‘Ho” view of the 21-jewel automatic movement’s balance wheel.

Nautical appeal meets sporty elegance in both of the new versions, so let’s take a look!

Deep Blue Sea

First up is the elegant Ref. 96A291.

This model presents a wholly azure, deep-sea theme, with its blue-tinted exhibition front dial, blue rotating bezel, and matching blue alligator strap, which is perfectly dyed to deliver a wind-whipped taste of vintage design appeal. The upper alligator strap, in turn, covers a tough, blue, silicone wave-patterned under-strap.

Bulova Marine Star Series C Ref. 96A291

A shining 45mm stainless steel case with long fixed lugs, as well as a steel Bulova tuning-fork-logo crown, protectors, knurled bezel edge, and hefty buckle deliver the light-catching essence of a maritime timepiece. Additionally, this watch sports 200 meters (about 600 feet) of water resistance in case a sweeping boom accidentally knocks you off the deck (or if you want to take a celebratory dip after cleating up to your mooring).

Bulova Marine Star Series C Ref. 96A291

Finally, a transparent exhibition caseback gives you an un-tinted view into the movement mechanisms and the skeletonized automatic rotor.

Golden Hour

Next up is the blue model’s sporty Series C sister timepiece, Ref. 97A174. And this timepiece tells a more above-the-waterline story with sophisticated yet sporty gold tones as gorgeous as a Narragansett Bay sunset.

Bulova Marine Star Series C Ref. 97A174

A brushed gold-tone stainless steel 45mm case, with gold-toned lugs, crown, protectors, knobby bezel edge, three-piece bracelet and locking closure, meet a stormier smoked translucent front dial. And while displaying the same 7 o’clock balance wheel aperture and an appropriately smokey black bezel insert as the Ref. 96A291, this is more of a “captain’s watch” timepiece, sharing the same transparent exhibition caseback of its sister. Plus, it also has the same water resistance rating.

Bulova Marine Star Series C Ref. 97A174

Finally, the blue and gold executions of the new Bulova Marine Star Series C Series timepieces share a minimalist dial design that won’t steal the thunder of the see-through dial fronts and balance wheel apertures. Blunt hour and minute hands join simple bar indices, with the Bulova tuning fork logo at 12 o’clock and minimal collection badging, leaving the wearer with a clear view inside for even smoother sailing.

Pricing & Availability

Available now, the new Marine Star Series C vessels can be found at Bulova retailers and on the watchmaker’s eCommerce site. The blue-themed Ref. 96A291 retails for $595, while the gold-themed Ref. 97A174 lists for $695.