If the headline grabbing Swatch x Omega MoonSwatch and Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms have taught us anything, then it’s that fun, accessible watches can be just as influential as haute horology. Sure, they’re controversial collections that some believe are discrediting the original creations, but that hasn’t stopped them from being successful. Even when the Blancpain edition didn’t quite catch fire as hot as the Omega, it’s still not accurate to call it a failure. Now though, if you’re in the mood for a fun, accessible timepiece without the weight of multiple sub-reddit’s worth of discussion, check out the new Bulova Snorkel collection.
Each watch in the four piece collection measures 41mm in diameter with 100m water resistance rating. At that rating it’s more suited to swimming at the surface than going anywhere near a scuba tank but for less than £300, that’s not exactly surprising. It’s a fun holiday companion, not a deep depth diving instrument. The case is made from what Bulova are calling “Hybrid Ceramic”, and it’s the first time they’ve used this material. Details of its composition are thin on the ground but based on context clues such as Swatch’s own bioceramic, we can hazard a guess that it’s likely plastic reinforced with some ceramic powder to make it more scratch resistant.
Regardless, it’s available in a variety of colours depending on the reference of the watch. On top of which each reference has a fun name and its own distinct colour scheme. There’s Blue Tang, (that’s the type of fish Dory is in Finding Nemo) with its royal blue design and accents in yellow. Sea Turtle with a combination of brown and sea green. Clown Fish with a white dial and orange strap. And last but by no means least, Great White with its monochromatic white and grey.
All four of them have wave style dials that add a flowing motion to the design of the dial. Though it remains nice and legible with large, dive watch style baton hour markers and strips of lume. They’re also equipped with dive timer bezels in colours as bright as the rest of the watch. for calculating immersion time.
The movement inside is the Miyota 2115, an accessible Japanese quartz movement. That helps it keep the price very low at £249. That puts it in direct competition with the previously mentioned Swatch watches. Which one comes out ahead? That depends if you are a fan of the classic watch designs of the Swatches or something that’s a bit more original.
Price and Specs:
More details at Bulova.
Apologies, predictive text gremlin. The final line should have read: “yes buy a Bulova”
Interesting that Bulova has followed the current trend for (let’s call them, non metal cased) watches, the lead being (I believe), Omega, but being part of the Swatch group), hardly surprising as Swatch were originally known for low cost plastics cased watches from years ago (it’s hard to change people’s perceptions).
Anyway, to Bulova. This is a brand that doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves, partly due to being an American brand rather than Swiss, but, they were used in tandem with Omega on the early NASA space program, so have proven history. They also led the way in terms of early dive watches and pilots watches. No guessing here, I do like Bulova watches, I have various Bulova’s and they are all really good, to illustrate this, I have one from the late 1930’s that quite apart from it looking amazing, still keeps perfect time. So, thumbs up for Bulova.
For me, this range is something that I wouldn’t personally want in my collection, – I’m not into dive watches, nor composite plastics cases, nor, really bright colours, these just don’t do it for me, but Bulova, yes but a Bulova.