Photography by Jake Witkin
When Bulova invited me to its 150th Anniversary celebration, I jumped at the chance. Bulova has always been a brand I’ve admired. My dad owned a Bulova when he was younger, and as I grew more interested in watches, he’d often talk about it. In fact, he gifted me a Bulova Lunar Pilot when it was first released, making it a cherished piece in my collection. So, the opportunity to watch a documentary spanning Bulova’s 150-year history was a no-brainer for me. Even better was spotting both new and vintage Bulova watches at the event, like the iconic Bulova Super Seville.
The Super Seville made its return earlier this year and has been a standout in terms of specs. Its 38mm TV-shaped case is unmistakable — a nod to the original design, and fittingly so. After all, Bulova made history in 1941 by airing the world’s first-ever paid TV commercial. The watch’s fluted, coin-like bezel adds an elegant, classic touch, while its ’70s-inspired integrated three-link bracelet creates a seamless, cohesive look. This design allows the watch to fit comfortably on a wide range of wrist sizes, as was evident from the many Seville models worn at the event.
The Bulova Super Seville is available in three dial colorways: blue, green, and white (the last of which is in a gold-tone stainless steel case), with magnified date windows for easy legibility. The green dial has become my favorite — it just works so well. The lume-filled hands and indices provide decent nighttime visibility. While not the brightest, they seemed to get the job done in the dark corners of the event venue. My only critique is the prominence of the “262 kHz” branding on the dial. While it’s a great feature, the text detracts from the overall aesthetics. A more subtle placement, perhaps along the bottom of the minute track, would improve the design.
Inside, the watch features the dial-referenced proprietary 262 kHz Precisionist movement. This 8-jewel quartz movement vibrates at eight times the frequency of a standard quartz, creating that smooth, sweeping seconds hand that has become synonymous with Bulova’s Precisionist line. It also offers exceptional accuracy, with precision down to seconds per year, and is highly resistant to temperature variations.
Bulova has excelled in recreating its archival pieces with modern updates, and the Super Seville is no exception. On the wrist, it feels similar to the original from the ’70s, but with the reliability of today’s technology. On top of this and all the other great new (and old) Bulova’s, the brand debuted its legitimately good 150th anniversary documentary. Titled America Telling Time, the film features some familiar faces from the community, archival footage, and a deep dive into Bulova’s long history. While not available online (yet), the brand has scheduled a number of opportunities across the country for people to view the documentary. Bulova Super Seville is priced at $695 USD. For more information about the Bulova Super Seville and to find out about how you can see America Telling Time, please visit the Bulova website.
