New Arrival: Bulova Precisionist Claremont

[sys12345]

My interest for watches seems to have gone into hibernation until i came across the Bulova Precisionist Claremont. I'm not much of a fan for quartz watches (IMO, one is enough in anyone's collection) but this Precisionist movement is not exactly your everyday quartz. For a start, it has a sweeping second hand instead of one that ticks every second. In addition, it should satisfy even the most hardcore obsessed fans of accuracy with its performance of +/- 10 secs a YEAR. This puts it in place amongst the top HEQs.


More info about this new movement: http://www.bulovaprecisionist.com/en...-precisionist/.


Specs for the Claremont: http://www.bulovaprecisionist.com/en...remont/96b129/





Enough with the talk, here are the pics ...



The sunken markers may not be everyone's cup of tea but they do add a multi-layer visual effect to the dial. The hour and min hands are lumed (barely). I would prefer stronger lume but since this is more of a dress piece, i'm still fine with it.








Another unique feature of this model is the curved crystal







A signed crown (non screw down as its only 30M WR). A higher WR rating like 100m would be preferred for added assurance. A nice touch though is the brushed finishing for the crown guard. A polished finish can easily result in smudges when setting the time/date.







A straight 22mm solid link, solid end link SS bracelet. Though it feels rather light, it does the job of keeping the watch in place without wobbling. There's no nasty hair pulling experience with this one. The only thing i didnt quite like is the lack of a half link for sizing. I've got no issues with sizing for a comfortable fit but it can be difficult centering the clasp without a half link, depending on your wrist size. You can also tell from this pic that the caseback is pretty flat. As such, the watch sits low and wears comfortably on the wrist.







A hidden Bulova signed clasp (butterfly design) with a push button release







Wrist shot ...










The highlight of this model, the Precisionist movement with a smooth sweeping second hand. The movement operates the sec hand at 16Hz. A typical 28,800bph automatic operates at 8Hz and a 21,600bph automatic movement does it at 6Hz. As such, the ticking is almost imperceptible to the naked eyes (silent too!). It may not be as seamless as what you get with a Seiko spring drive but its still much smoother than automatics, even those with a high beat 36,000bph movement. Setting time with this movement is easy and similar to a typical 3-hand automatic. Pulling the crown out to the 1st position sets the date and the 2nd position sets the time while stopping the sec hand. Unlike some earlier reports of this movement, the tolerance is tight and there's hardly any free play with the hands and the crown.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aan6xFbCaZY&fmt=22





My initial impression of this watch is rather positive. This watch gives you the convenience of a quartz powered time piece without some of the quirks. Having a ticking sec hand for example, especially one that misses the markers simply irritates me. For a rather small price, you are getting one of the most accurate wrist watch in the market. You'll probably only need to set the time once after each battery change (3 years). It has an unmistakable unique design with the curve crystal. With an appropriately sized case and a matching SS bracelet, this one looks great and wears well on the wrist.

[DCgator]

Very nice indeed. Congrats!

[mfer]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[Dan Pierce]

That's a good looking watch.
dP

[spuds]

Not something I personally would've considered BUT it look great on your wrist.

Congratulations....


(does anyone else see a certain 'Ball-esque' flavour to it?)

[sys12345]

Thanks for the comments! I've surprised myself sometimes. If this uses a typical quartz powered movement, i doubt i'll go for it. The Precisionist movement is interesting to watch as the sec hand glides round the dial. Its so smooth. The superb accuracy is of course an icing on the cake.

[sys12345]

Is there any resemblance?

Originally Posted by spuds

(does anyone else see a certain 'Ball-esque' flavour to it?)

[spuds]

Originally Posted by sys12345

Is there any resemblance?

I didn't mean any offence honestly (I really like Ball watches)....

The general style of dial & hands just made me think of a Ball face was all.

Sorry if I offended you in any way.

[sys12345]

Dont worry, none taken.


I was just wondering which feature/style resembles a Ball watch as the time pieces from Ball uses H3 tubes, which basically impose a constraint in the design for the hands and markers (especially when numerals are used as markers on the dial).


On second thought, perhaps its the counter weight on the sec hand that creates the resemblance?

Originally Posted by spuds

I didn't mean any offence honestly (I really like Ball watches)....

The general style of dial & hands just made me think of a Ball face was all.

Sorry if I offended you in any way.

[spuds]

To be honest I think it was, as you said the second hand and the......

'slightly rectangular'? (yet very 'pronounced') digits?

Thanks for being cool about it though.....

[vukotab]

I like it! Looks like perfect balance between elegant and slightly sporty watch, and I really like that smooth movement of second hand!

[sys12345]

Thanks for the comments! This one is certainly getting lots of wrist time at the moment. I suppose it'll be quite a while before i need to sync the time for this piece.