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CollectionsMar 26, 2019
From Basel: Bulova Honors Founder, Reboots the Computron
The Computron is a digital watch first introduced in the 1970s that’s been updated with dual time zone function.
Bulova brought back the Computron at Baselworld 2019, a digital LED watch first made in the 1970s. The watch looks like a piece of jewelry from the top, as the time is displayed only in a thin window on the side when the wearer pushes the crown.
Basel, Switzerland—With the reintroduction of the Computron, Bulova catapulted itself into the conversation for best vintage reboot at Baselworld 2019.
A digital watch originally introduced in the 1970s, the look of the Computron can be deceiving because it’s fashion from the top but function from the front.
Spot someone seated across the table from you with a Computron and you’ll wonder, who made that futuristic-looking bracelet she or he is wearing? But a turn of the wrist will reveal the time displayed in bright red- or blue-colored LED.
The time is displayed with a push of the crown, and the watch also has month/day/date and, new for 2019, dual time zone function.
The reboot of ‘70s star Computron is available in black with red LED display (pictured here) and stainless steel with blue LED display.
This version of the new Computron, meanwhile, comes in a gold-plated case and bracelet with red LED display. The watch is priced at $395.
National Jeweler’s editors get a handle on the gold-plated version of the Computron at Bulova’s booth at Baselworld.
The rebooted Computron is part of Bulova’s Archive Series. It is available in an all gold-plated case and bracelet version with red LED display ($395), as well as in black ion-plated with rubber strap and stainless steel with blue LED display, both $295.
Bulova, which is now owned by Citizen Watch Co., dug further into its archives for its second introduction of the Baselworld fair, releasing the Joseph Bulova Swiss Made Automatic Collection.
Priced at $995 to $1,495, the 16 watches in the collection are, as the name suggests, all automatic. They are powered by SW200 3H date automatic movement with exhibition case back and limited to 350 pieces each.
The back of each watch has an exhibition caseback window with a copy of Joseph Bulova’s signature below as well as on the strap. 1875 refers to the year he started his company.
A model from the Joseph Bulova Swiss Made Automatic Collection with a tank case and a leather strap
The Joseph Bulova watches comes in two sizes, 34 and 38 mm, and three case styles: round, tonneau and tank, inspired by the Bulova Commodore, Banker and Breton watches made between 1928 and 1935.
On the back of each watch is the Joseph Bulova signature and 1875, the year he founded and incorporated the J. Bulova Company.
Look through the slideshow above to see a few watches from the Joseph Bulova Swiss Made Automatic Collection; see below for a few more Baselworld 2019 introductions from Bulova.
Bulova also introduced its first full line of men’s jewelry at Baselworld 2019, creating pieces in stainless steel and leather with gems including lapis and tiger’s eye. Prices range from $150 to $495.
Also at Baselworld, Bulova introduced 17 new automatic models, including the first automatic Grammy and Latin Grammy watches. Pictured here is the Grammy watch outfitted with the Miyota 21-jewel movement with the circle of fifths, a concept in music theory, circling the skeletonized movement. Retail price is $850.
The Wilton Automatic Power Reserve is an addition to the Classics Collection. Wilton watches are powered by the six-hand Miyota 26-jewel movement and available in black or gray (pictured here). It retails for $895.
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