Bulova Men’s Watch (96A135)

Black dial, Roman numerals, and two windows cut into the face so you can watch part of the mechanism working. It is a dress watch with something going on underneath it. Case and Wrist Presence Polished stainless steel with a plain narrow bezel and lugs that curve down to the strap. The crown sits at three, small and unobtrusive. There is no ornament anywhere on the case, which is the correct call: a dial with openings in it needs a quiet frame or the whole front turns busy. Dial and Legibility Black with silver Roman numerals on a stepped chapter ring and a fine railway minute track around the outside. A small aperture sits below twelve and a wider one at three, revealing finished, moving parts of the mechanism behind the dial. A subsidiary dial occupies the lower half with its own printed scale. The hands are polished silver and slim. Silver on black is a strong contrast, so despite everything happening on this dial the time itself reads quickly. Strap and Fit Black leather embossed with a crocodile pattern, stitched in black and tapering to a pin buckle. The pattern gives it a formal texture and disguises scuffs better than a plain finish. Leather softens and takes the shape of the wrist within a couple of weeks, so check the fit again after that – most people find they need to move in a hole. Who This Watch Suits A man who wants a formal watch that is not entirely plain. Under a cuff it reads as a black-dial dress watch; up close it shows its workings, and that is the whole point of the design. Care and Maintenance Keep the strap away from water – leather that has been soaked dries stiff and splits at the bend. Wipe the case with a soft dry cloth and skip the polishing compound, which will blur the edges of the finish. Make sure the crown is pushed fully home before wearing. Service work belongs with a watchmaker. About the Brand Bulova has been making watches since 1875 and has spent most of that time putting technical features into watches at accessible prices. Cutting a dress dial open to show the mechanism is a straightforward example of that habit. Technical Specifications Attribute Specification Brand Bulova Reference 96A135 Case shape Round Case Stainless steel Dial Black with open apertures Markers Roman numerals Hands Silver Strap Black croc-embossed leather Gender Men’s Warranty 24 months Buying With Confidence The watch carries a 24-month international manufacturer warranty on the movement; the battery and normal wear fall outside it. It ships new and unworn in its original box with the manufacturer’s paperwork, travels on a tracked nationwide courier, and the Consumer Protection Act gives you the right to return an unworn watch in its original packaging.