Bulova Vs Movado: A Side-By-Side Comparison

Don’t know what to choose for your next wristwatch? Consider Bulova and Movado; they won’t disappoint you. 

These brands are more than one hundred years old. During that time, they kept improving and offering countless inventions. 

But what if you can only get one? Which one will be your favorite?

The detailed comparison between Bulova vs Movado below can help you make an informed decision. Let’s take a look!

Related: Bulova vs Invicta: Which One Actually Better?

Bulova Vs Movado – A Quick Summary

When to choose Bulova? This watchmaker should be your way to go if:

• You love bold designs and don’t mind the weight on your wrist. 
• Accuracy is important to you. Thus, you are looking for a watch with minimal loss of time every year. 
• You prefer quartz movements.

And when to choose Movado? You will love timepieces from this brand if:

• You are a big fan of minimalism. 
• You need a lightweight watch to reduce stress on your wrist. 
• You search for a versatile design that can fit all occasions.

Bulova Vs Movado Comparison Table

Criteria	Bulova	Movado
Style	Bold and formal	Elegant and simple
Weight	Bulkier	Lighter
Dial	Sapphire crystal	Mineral crystal
Water Resistance	30 to 100 meters	30 meters
Movement	Mostly quartz	Quartz and automatic
Technologies	Accutron	Museum
Notable watches	Classic Automatic Precisionist	Museum Classic Bold Two One
Cost	$100 to $1,200	$500 to $2,500

Bulova Overview

Bulova is an American brand owned by Joseph Bulova, hence the name. It started in 1875 as a jewelry shop.

The business gradually began making pocket watches and clocks, and in 1911 it created a manufacturing facility in Switzerland to produce watch components.

The business changed its priority to manufacturing timepieces. In 1923, it adopted the name Bulova Watch Company.

After changing its name, Bulova continued to produce gorgeous watches while continuing to impress the world with its numerous inventions.

In the 1960s, the brand introduced the first completely electronic watch using its own tuning-fork technology. The Accutron watch⁽¹⁾ was the most accurate at that time. This series even remains popular today. 

In 2007, Citizen, a Japanese watchmaking company, purchased Bulova. Then, the business introduced its Precisionist line in 2010, claiming that it had a time fluctuation of just ten seconds yearly.

Bulova never stops improving and upgrading its timepieces. In 2016, it released the CURV series, which featured the first curved chronograph movement in history.

Movado Overview

Movado is another American watch brand, although it started as a Swiss brand. In 1881, it first opened its doors as a workshop.

In 1905, Achilles Ditesheim, the company’s founder, changed the name to Movado, which translates to “Always In Motion.”

The business developed as a watch market pioneer during this time. One of the first achievements is the Calendomatic watch, which showed the date. This model received praise for its aesthetic.

Nathan George Horwitt, an industrial designer, created the classic Movado museum timepiece. The company released this design in 1947 and received a lot of attention from the public.

The Museum watch had a simple dial with one circle at the twelve o’clock position. The New York Museum of Modern Art approved this work as the first watch dial to be included in its permanent design gallery.

Gedalio Grinberg ran the business in 1965 and developed it to become what is now called the Movado Group. This group includes ten other famous watch brands, and they are:

• Scuderia Ferrari 
• Lacoste
• HUGO BOSS
• Concord
• Tommy Hilfiger 
• MVMT
• Olivia Burton
• Coach
• EBEL 

Today, most Movado watches have the iconic single-dot design⁽²⁾, setting its dial apart from its competitors. 

Bulova Vs Movado: A Side-By-Side Comparison

Both brands indeed have excellent features, and that’s how they can survive in this competitive industry. Even so, something must make you inclined toward an option between Movado vs. Bulova. Keep reading, and you can figure it out. 

Design

Even if you are not a fan of Bulova, you should know how popular it is when it comes to attractive designs. This company also offers many automatic watches. 

Bulova collections are vast. However, after checking all of them, you will realize that most come with a formal sense of fashion. They are the best choices for serious events, but you can also wear them informally. 

Besides, the dials are bold and sophisticated. Moreover, Bulova men’s watches are a little bulkier than Movado’s. Yet, you still feel comfortable wearing them.

The wristbands are another critical feature to pay attention to. They come in different materials, such as stainless steel, rubber, leather, and silicone. 

On the other hand, Movado’s watches are renowned for their elegant looks. The brand has shown that it has a beautiful character all its own. 

Compared to other brands that focus on traditional and generic-looking designs, Movado tends toward minimalism. Its products are also more comfortable and lightweight than Bulova’s. 

Their inherent quality is, without a doubt, outstanding. With years of expertise, Movado is a true genius in creating high-end watches.

You can buy different types of watches from the brand, including mechanical, automatic, and chronograph. They are versatile thanks to the simple design, matching your casual clothing nicely. 

Quality

Movado and Bulova are pretty much on par in terms of their reliability. 

Since there are several factors to consider when evaluating the quality of a wristwatch, we will use the same standard to compare Movado vs. Bulova. 

• Material

Bulova’s watches have original stainless steel cases. Hence, they are durable and long-lasting, contributing to their superior quality. 

Most of these watches have sapphire crystal dials that are non-reflective and scratch-resistant. This material is more well-liked than the Hardlex crystal. 

Movado’s watches also have dust and scratch-resistant dials. Yet, they use mineral crystal glass instead. 

• Water resistance

Watches today should be water-resistant, so you can wear them to swim and dive without worrying about anything. In this regard, both brands do a good job. 

The ability to resist the water of Bulova’s watches varies depending on the model. It can be from 30 to 100 meters. Meanwhile, most Movado watches are water-resistant to about 30 meters. 

• Movement

Bulova Quartz movements have excellent performance in accuracy⁽³⁾. Some models, like the Solar Watch, don’t have this feature but come with the UHF movement instead. 

On the contrary, Movado offers two types of movements: Swiss quartz and Swiss automatic. They all have received many good reviews from customers. 

Technologies

Watchmakers have to come up with new technologies constantly so as not to fall behind their competitors. While Bulova is proud of its Accutron, Mavado always boasts about its Museum lines.  

• Accutron

Bulova employed a tuning fork instead of a balance wheel in this technology. The fork vibrates at 360 kHz to keep up with the time. 

This technology helps the watches to be accurate for up to one minute a month, setting the standard for quartz watches worldwide. 

Please note that a regular mechanical watch may lose about one minute a day. Hence, you have to adjust your watch every day to help it correctly say the time. 

• Museum

No matter how many timepieces Movado has established, the Museum watches will always be its symbol. Instead of showing markers on the watch, the Museum only has a dot at the 12 o’clock position. 

Aside from the unique design, the movement of 4Hz with a two-day power reserve is also a notable feature offered by these watches.

Notable Watches

There are many products under each category. Hence, even when you have selected one brand, you still have many options to check for. 

The most famous watches from Bulova are Classic Automatic and Precisionist Chronographs. The first one has up to 21 jewels and a 40-hour power reserve. Meanwhile, the latter is renowned for its accuracy. 

If you like Movado, consider its iconic Museum Classic model. Otherwise, go for the Bold Two One, which has a stunning design and K1 mineral crystal.

Cost

Good news for those who love watches but can’t afford luxury models: Both Bulova and Movado offer mid-range timepieces, with the latter getting its way to the luxury sector. So, you can get high-quality watches at an affordable cost. 

Most Bulova watches cost from $100 to $1,200. Meanwhile, Movado watches are slightly more expensive, from $500 to $2,500. The price varies depending on the design and features of the item.

Pros And Cons Of Bulova And Movado Watches

Every product has its highs and lows, and Bulova or Movado is no exception. Let’s see the benefits and drawbacks each offers you to expect what you can exactly get. 

Bulova

The pros and cons of Bulova watches are:

Pros: 

• Accuracy is one of the most significant selling points of the brand. 
• You can easily find a gorgeous design⁽⁴⁾ that suits formal events, such as meetings, conferences, or company parties. 
• The mid-range price gives customers a chance to buy high-quality watches at an affordable cost. 
• There are many amazing technologies that influence the watchmaking industry.

Cons:

• The designs can be too loud for some people. 

Movado

If you like a more elegant style, go for Movado. Here is what you can receive from this brand:

Pros:

• Minimalist designs are outstanding, making them suitable for almost any case. 
• You will feel comfortable wearing those watches because they are light enough not to stress your wrist.
• A good range of watch series to choose from.

Cons:

• The medium price range can be a bit higher

FAQs

Is Movado considered a luxury watch?

Not really. This brand competes in the affordable luxury sector of the watchmaking industry, but its watches are still within the mid-range. 

Most of its products cost from $500 to $2,500. However, affordable watches are still available, each renowned for its unique appearance and intrinsic quality within the budget range.

What is the most reliable luxury watch?

Luxury watches are beautifully crafted, durable, and expensive. They won’t go out of fashion. If you want to have one, consider the most reliable options as follows:

• Rolex
• Patek Philippe
• Cartier
• Audemars Piguet
• A.Lange & Söhne
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
• IWC Schaffhausen
• Tissot 

How to choose the best watch brand?

There are a few things to take into account when choosing the best brand for your needs, and they are:

• Watch movement: While the quartz is popular for its accuracy and durability, the mechanical movement works with a rotor that can spin with your wrist movement. 
• Design: Each watchmaker expresses a different vibe. This matter is subjective, so follow your heart to choose the most beautiful design. 
• Material: Stainless steel is the most commonly used material to construct watches. Besides, you can choose leather or silicone for the straps. 
• Price: Watches come in different price ranges. Consider your budget to get your favorite item without the bank. 

Which watch will hold its value best?

The top watch brands that can hold their value impressively are:

• Rolex
• Patek Philippe
• Jaeger-LeCoultre
• Omega

Which brand of watch lasts the longest?

If durability is your top concern, you won’t go wrong with these options:

• Tag Heuer
• Rolex
• Seiko
• Casio 
• Bulova 
• Tissot

How much should I pay for a Movado Museum watch?

On average, it would cost you around $400 to $1,200 based on the models and variations.

This watch series is definitely one of the most elegant collections from Movado that everyone should know about.

Final Verdict: Bulova Or Movado?

Both brands produce high-quality watches, so choosing the better between Movado vs. Bulova is mostly a matter of taste.

Movado attracts those who appreciate minimalist and sophisticated timepieces, whereas Bulova generally appeals to individuals who prefer functionality and bold designs.

Hopefully, this article can help you select the perfect match. Then, be confident to stand out in the crowd.

Thank you for your interest in the article!

References:

1. REINVENTING TIME: The Original Accutron – https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/reinventing-time-original-bulova-accutron
2. HISTORY OF THE MOVADO GROUP – https://www.movadogroup.com/history
3. Guide to High Accuracy Quartz (HAQ) Watches – https://wornandwound.com/guide-to-high-accuracy-quartz-haq-watches/
4. The Complete Buying Guide to Bulova Watches – https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a38761418/bulova-watches/