The Jet Star was a classic watch in the 1970s. Bulova has taken the cocaine and passed the ‘ludes, and is bringing it back in 3 variations. But it’s not exactly a revival…
Bulova Jet Star
The Jet Star was originally available in a square-ish TV case, an oval-rounded sides case, and gradient dials in butterscotch, maroon, silver colored, and brushed gray. They had automatic Swiss movements, and were either in cases manufactured in Switzerland or Taiwan back then. The hour markers on the dial were squares with an orange stripe through the middle, or a stripe of white lume.
The advertising from the time was very go-go 70’s, with statements like, “They’ve got a name like a supersonic plane and the instincts of a mother.”
That’s the past.
Today’s Bulova Jet Star doesn’t care for you like a mother, it assaults your senses.
Style
The case is not TV square or oval round, but a bold angular shape that’s all new, even if it feels old. The Bulova PR says it themselves: “The turtle shape has been upgraded to a contemporary 40mm angular shape, while the three original dial colors from that era feature a captivating and dramatic dégradé effect.”
That’s a fancy way of saying, they took the name and the dial colors and slapped it in a new case that’s meant to look old.
The first Jet Star watch is a stainless steel, 40mm watch with “merlot” dial. In the 70s catalogue, this was maroon. It has a matching bracelet with two buttons to release the clasp. The hour markers and hands are similar to the original, using those square markers with black and orange stripe, flat square baton hands.
The second watch is a gold-tone stainless steel variation with a butterscotch dial. Instead of a matching gold-tone bracelet, it’s on a leather strap.
Quartz
The whole thing is backed up by Bulova’s 262mhz high accuracy quartz movement. This is obviously superior as a time-keeping method to the original’s automatic movement.
These things are 50m water resistant, have a date window at 3 o’clock, and the bracelets and straps come with quick-release spring bars.
Price
Both models are priced at $595 USD. If that’s not enough for you to boogaloo, there’s a limited edition stainless steel model that comes with both bracelet and a blue leather strap. The dial is white with blue accents, red hands and hour markers with a red stripe.
The press lifestyle shot shows it over a game of backgammon, which was a very 1970s common evening game over beers or brown liquor. It’s $695, and will be limited to 7300 pieces. If that’s your style, hustle (doo-doo-doo-doo-…) on over to Bulova.com
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