Is the Bulova Super Seville one of the best watches under $1,000?
Zach BlassValue. Among all the noise in the luxury watch industry, I know that for many, what cuts through the most is an incredible value proposition. I mean, even if you’re well off, who doesn’t like getting their money’s worth? Something I also know well is just how much many of you enjoyed our Bulova Jet Star video, a casual daily wearer with a handsome case and compelling Precisionist quartz movement. And now, this sweeping quartz movement finds itself in a design inspired by a ’70s automatic day-date from the brand’s archives that ups the elegance factor – the Bulova Super Seville. Spoiler alert, pricing starts at US$695.
The case
Looking at the Super Seville, you will immediately clock some rather iconic design cues like the fluted bezel and a cyclops-magnified date window. Then you have this sort of Beta 21 era-like television cushion case, nicely compact at 37.5mm in diameter and approximately 10.5mm thick and 42.3mm lug-to-lug. Very nice vintage-inspired proportions.
Whether you opt for one of the two stainless steel models or the single gold-tone steel one, the external finishing remains the same with a case that is entirely brushed. The elegance of mixed finishes comes into play when you factor in the polished fluting of the bezel and the broad mirror-polished centre links of the case-matching bracelet.
The dials
The three dials are handsomely executed as well, with the stainless steel models available with either a blue or green dial – two fan-favourites and certified dial colours of the year – and the gold-tone model is complete with a who-could-ever-complain silver. These are probably among the three safest colours they could offer, and I think it was smart to give the boldest case and bracelet (the gold-tone), the safest and most subdued dial, while the steel models were afforded the splash of colour.
Rather than have an obvious sunburst finish, Bulova has opted for a rich vertical brush on the surface of the main dial. However, at the outer perimeter, a slightly raised minute track is seen with a matte finish, albeit colour-matched to the dial, with Roman numerals corresponding to each applied hour index. The central hours and minutes hands, along with the edges of the applied hour indexes, incorporate a luminous coating for visibility in darkness. And, as I mentioned before, you have a cyclops-magnified date complication, with black-on-white discs at the 3 o’clock position on all configurations – a placement everyone can get behind.
The bracelet
Short of the aftermarket coming to the rescue, it would be very difficult to find a compatible leather or rubber strap for the Super Seville’s integrated design. Having said that, I think it would be criminal to take this watch off its bracelet. It completes the retro and refined look. It also furthers the mixed finish aesthetic, ramping up the elegance of its look and feel. The bracelet has a nice taper, and I am definitely a fan of its butterfly clasp. This style of clasp, at least I find, better keeps the watch centre on the wrist and the clasp, once folded, is not too long (therefore not creating too much fixed flare).
It’s worth noting that the Bulova website, in its sizing drop-down menu, can size the watch ahead of shipping down to fit a 6.5-inch wrist. With many of the links non-removable, wrists smaller than 6.5 inches should try the watch on in the metal, or enquire with Bulova before ordering online. I would also imagine a watchmaker could break off non-removable links if bracelet surgery is absolutely needed.
The movement
Enough about the externals. They look great, but it’s Bulova’s HPQ Precisionist quartz movement that really, really, makes this watch stand apart, and especially at the price point. For those who are not familiar, the Precisionist movement (which is advertised on the dial at 6, even though I would humbly suggest it shouldn’t be), is a 262kHz quartz movement that is not only accurate within ten seconds per year, but also has a fluid sweeping seconds hand akin to Grand Seiko’s Spring Drive. Furthermore, the battery is said to last four years before it will need to be changed. So, other than moments where you leave your time zone or particular months you’ll need to correct the date, the Bulova Super Seville is a hassle-free, set-and-forget watch you only need to sync once.
The verdict
Quartz snobs will be quartz snobs, but my gripe with seconds-conveying quartz watches has nothing to do with a batter. Rather, I hate deadbeat seconds regardless if it’s quartz or mechanically driven. This gliding seconds hand, however, is so serene to watch, and this aesthetic blended with a hassle-free robust movement provides a distinct experience you cannot get anywhere else at the sub-US$1,000 price point.
Looking at the vintage inspiration model, it would be impossible to say the ’70s Seville was not borrowing a Rolex aesthetic. The modern Super Seville, however, while still leveraging some familiar design cues has been remixed enough externally to stand apart and internally, pivoting from an automatic to a proprietary Precisionist movement, to stand alone.
This watch would be the epitome of what I’ve dubbed “robust elegance” (shout out Time+Tide Tribe), if only the depth rating was greater than 30 metres. I would have liked at least 50, and if Bulova could have hit 100, I would’ve rated this watch an 11/10. It would then be the undisputed option to entice people away from digital and smartwatches, and back to analogue watches. While the Precisionist movement is something Bulova should be very proud of, I don’t think it was necessary to include the 6 o’clock dial branding – but it is by no means a dealbreaker. For a landlocked daily wearer that’s handsome, affordable, and high-performing, I think this is a hard offering to beat for the price.
Bulova Super Seville pricing and availability
The Bulova Super Seville is available now for purchase. Price: US$695 (stainless steel), US$775 (gold-tone steel)
Brand | Bulova |
Model | Super Seville |
Case Dimensions | 37.5mmm (D) x 10.5mm (T) x 42.3mm (LTL) |
Case Material | Stainless steel Gold-tone steel |
Water Resistance | 30 metres |
Crystal | Sapphire crystal |
Dial | Blue or green (steel) Silver (gold tone) |
Strap | Case-matching bracelet, butterfly clasp |
Movement | Bulova HPQ Precisionist, 262khz |
Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
Availability | Now |
Price | US$695 (stainless steel) US$775 (gold-tone) |