Back in the summer of 2024 we brought you word of the re-released Bulova Super Seville (you can see that here), and then last month we talked about a new semi-precious stone dial version (here). In between those two articles, we were able to spend some time with a loaner, and now it’s time to tell you what we think of the Bulova Super Seville.
Bulova Super Seville: what it is
I’ve long been a fan of the sparkle a fluted bezel can provide, and I’m also a fan of a cyclops magnifier over a date window. To get the combination of those things, well, there’s a limited number of watches. If you want a case that isn’t round, well, you’re left with basically one watch – the Bulova Super Seville.
So, right out of the gate, you’re starting with a unique look. Here, it’s paired with a three-link bracelet, with the center links polished, picking up the flash of the fluted (or coin edge) bezel. This is wide at the case, and tapers down under the wrist, allowing for a comfortable fit.
The movement
One major difference that the Bulova Super Seville has, as compared to the other fluted bezel watches, is that it relies on a quartz movement. Here, it’s the Bulova NM50. Now, in general, quartz movements are quite accurate, due to the higher frequency that they run at (as compared to a regular mechanical movement).
In this movement, it gets the ‘Precisionist’ label, as it runs at 262 kHz, which is about eight times faster than a standard quartz movement. Why would you want that? Well, instead of talking about accuracy in terms of seconds gained (or lost) in a month, you’re instead of seconds per year. Well, at least in the marketing PR. When you drill down into the specs, you’ll see that it’s +/- 5 seconds per month, which is still pretty respectable.
Why you would want the Bulova Super Seville
Which still doesn’t answer the question about why you’d want this watch with this movement. However, let’s take a step back and consider this watch. Polished center links, fluted bezel, stick hands and indices: for all intents and purposes, this is a dress watch. Sure, purists will say it should have a leather strap, but that’s a preference in my book.
So, with a dress watch, is it a watch you’re going to be wearing every single day? No, not at all. It’ll get pulled out for special occasions like a night out, or maybe a big presentation at the office. In other words, not worn every day. In cases like that, a very accurate quartz movement makes sense. You can pull it out of the watch box and probably not to worry about resetting it, just grab and go.
Wrapping things up
As always, though, if you can see a watch in person, always try to do that. Because pictures on the internet are one thing, but you really get a sense of a watch when you see it in person, and on your wrist.
On paper, the Bulova Super Seville would be a slam dunk for my tastes and preferences. And while it certainly was a lovely watch, once I spent time with it, some of that luster wore off a bit. Ultimately, while I liked the overall look (and that bezel), the narrow hands and indices sort of did it in for me. Again, that is simply my preference. As a watch, it’s competent and capable. Just a slight aesthetic disagreement once it was on my wrist.
If you want the silver-tone versions (blue or green dial), those are going for $695, while the gold-tone version commands $775; the semi-precious stone dials range from $1,095 – $1,295. As of this writing, the regular dials have 20% discounts in effect. Check out the full lineup over at bulova.com
Bulova Super Seville Tech Specs
- MOVEMENT: NM50
- TECHNOLOGY
- HPQ Precisionist
- A movement featuring a 3-pronged quartz crystal with a frequency of 262 kHz that is 8 times greater than standard quartz, leading to an accuracy of seconds a year.
- CASE WIDTH (MM): 37.5
- LUG WIDTH (MM): 26
- DIAL
- Blue or green with silver accents, or silver tone with gold accents
- Illuminated Hands and Markers
- STRAP TYPE
- Bracelet
- Stainless Steel
- CASE MATERIAL
- Silver-Tone or gold-tone
- Stainless Steel
- CLASP: Deployant Clasp with Push Buttons
- CRYSTAL
- Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- Impact and shatter resistant – anti-reflective coating deflects light
- WATER-RESISTANCE: 30M
- ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
- 3 Hand
- Calendar
- HPQ Precisionist
