Bulova 96A102 Canvas Military Watch – $77.05
(reg. $160)
Whoa. When’d this thing get discontinued? That must be the case, because these were selling for a full price of $160 at Macy’s not more than a few months ago.
Can a watch look both rugged and kind of… elegant? The Bulova 96A102
Off white slightly rounded numbers, an incredible hour hand, and a simple case. I want to say it was even featured in the September issue of GQ as part of a military watch spread. Just as good if not better looking than the competition at an unbeatable price.
Is the green each band interchangable with say, one from J.Crew?
@ Matt – Amazon claims the Bulova band is 20mm. The J Crew bands are 3/4 inch. There are approx. 26 mm to an inch, so the bands are 19.5 mm. Should look great. My GF got me two bands for my watch and they are brilliant. They jist slip behind the pins so you can interchange them quickly to match your outfit.
@ Matt pt. 2 – In the interest of full disclosure, I do have one minor complaint with the J Crew bands. They are a bit long on my wrist, such that the excess sticks out a bit. Certainly not a deal-breaker, and probably to accommodate all wrist sizes. Including very large ones. I would trim them off, but I’m afraid I’d ruin them.
@ Joe and all – I’d like your opinion. I like the Bulova in this post, but was considering springing for this Citizen
. Thoughts?
I was also thinking of picking up a new dress watch while Amazon was having its sale. I was leaning towards this Orient
. It has a wonderful face, and I think it looks great with a black leather band. Thoughts?
@Rich: I’ve always liked that Citizen. A lot. I would say that the Bulova looks strangely dressy in person (but in a good way to me). Even with the band. The Citizen looks more military/casual. But still looks great. And for that Orient? I’ve seen it but always hated the metal bracelet. The Black Leather band though, damn. That’s gonna be my next dress watch for sure. Nice catch!
@Rich: I have the old model
version of that Citizen watch I believe. The one you linked replaced the one I have this year as far as i know. I do like the the watch I have but the band is misrepresented on amazon; it is more of a greenish color. Other than that it’s high quality, though a small case diameter (the one you linked is actually bigger and a good size I think).
In terms of looks from the pictures I actually like the details on the one in this article more than the citizen, but that’s personal preference.
Also @Rich: do you have smaller wrists? I have always wanted to try the J.Crew bands, but I have small wrists. If your wrists aren’t small and the band is long it might be ridiculously oversized for me lol.
This watch is inspired by the “legendary” WW2 watch I called the A11 that Bulova used to make/supply to the US Military Personal – almost bought last Xmas @ Kohl’s for a song and a dance….
In regards to the “too long” J Crew style fabric watch bands, this is how they are supposed to be, Google Search how to wear a nato style band and you will find instructional videos about how to use the keepers, etc – once you learn how to wear it, it will not be too long…
@Bryan – I think I have pretty small wrists – They’re about 7″. Also, I would watch this video per OhioHead’s suggestion – it shows that you are too loop the strap back through the keepers so there is no excess!
@OhioHead – Thanks for the tip on Googling instructions on using NATO straps! I never would have thought of that, but it seems obvious in hindsight!
@Joe – Thanks again for giving us a great forum for Q&A!
@Bryan – Sorry forgot the links to using the NATO straps! Here’s one about attaching it to the watch, and here’s another that shows tucking the excess into the keepers.
@Bryan – Yeesh, sorry second link appears broken. Trying again.