Bulova Men’s Watch (98C142)

A cushion case in two metals: a gold-tone bezel with four screw heads showing, sitting on a lighter case and bracelet. The dial underneath is silver with a fine sunray brush, and the hour and minute hands are blued. Case and Wrist Presence Squared with rounded corners and flat sides, so it seats firmly on the wrist rather than perching on it. The gold-tone bezel is broad and the screws at its corners are the only hardware on show – a workshop detail on a watch that is otherwise dressy. The two metals meet cleanly at the bezel edge, which is what keeps two-tone from looking accidental. Dial and Legibility Silver, with the sunray brush radiating from the centre so the tone shifts as your wrist turns. Applied gold batons mark the hours and a printed minute track runs around the outside in grey. Three sub-dials sit at nine, three and six, each ringed with fine printing. The blued hands are the design decision that makes the whole thing work: on a silver dial with gold markers there is no natural contrast, and blue supplies it. Movement and Functions Quartz multifunction, with the day of the week to the left, the date to the right and a 24-hour scale below. All three read by a small pointer, so the dial stays symmetrical and no window interrupts the sunray finish. Bracelet and Fit A two-tone bracelet with gold-tone centre links between lighter outer rows, on a folding clasp, sized by removing links. The link pattern is visible, so uneven sizing shows; have them taken from both sides of the clasp. A cushion case needs a snug fit to stay square on the wrist. Who This Watch Suits Someone who wants one watch that goes with both silver and gold jewellery, and who prefers a shaped case to a round one. It is dressy without being formal. Care and Maintenance The gold-toned parts are plated and the lighter parts are not, so they wear at different rates – the bezel edge and the centre links will dull first. Keep the watch dry, wipe it after wearing, and stay out of chlorinated water. Set the calendar from the crown and have the gaskets seen to at each battery change. About the Brand Bulova has made watches since 1875. Its multifunction models use pointer registers rather than windows, which is why a dial carrying three complications still looks balanced. Technical Specifications Attribute Specification Brand Bulova Reference 98C142 Case shape Cushion Case Two-tone with gold-tone bezel Dial Silver sunray Markers Applied gold batons Registers Day, date, 24-hour Hands Blued Movement Quartz Bracelet Two-tone 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.