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The groundbreaking Bulova Precisionist Champlain Watch for men is a flagship model of the Bulova Precisionist timepieces, the most accurate watch with a sweeping second hand available in the world at this time.
Bulova Precisionist Champlain 98B143 Watch
This exciting new watch with improved characteristics is also the timepiece with the highest vibrational frequency: it vibrates at a frequency of 262.144 kHz, which minimizes the harmful effect of temperature changes and enables the Bulova Precisionist to have an unmatched accuracy, compared to other quartz watches.
While most other similar products are precise to 15 seconds a month, the superb Precisionist is punctual to 10 seconds a year. The baton-shaped sweeping second hand with distinctive Precisionist logo counterweight of the Bulova Precisionist Champlain Watch beats 15 times a second, which further improves the fluidity of time keeping. This is more than usual quartz watch (that moves only once a second), but also exceeds the number of beats of a mechanical watch (that beats 8 to 10 times a second). All of this possible due to incredible features of the cutting-edge quartz Precisionist Bulova caliber P102.10 movement.
The flagship model of the Bulova Precisionist brand offers technological superiority paired with an amazing and smart design. The beautiful black carbon fiber dial is intricate and stylish with multiple levels and patterns. This easy-readable dial is safely protected with tough curved mineral. The face of the Bulova Precisionist Champlain also includes luminous markers and luminous pointed baton hour and minute hands, as well as elevated split-second minute track, as well as the 24-hour inner track and cleverly designed calendar window (with previous and next date) at the three o’clock position.
Five Styles of Champlain Collection
There are five different variations of the Bulova Precisionist Champlain Watch and they cost between $500 and $700, depending on a choice of available case and bracelet materials. The most luxurious is the model 96B133 with a titanium case and a titanium five-link bracelet. This titanium wristwatch with black face with white and red accents costs $700. Next in line is the model 98B143, which features rose-gold accents and red second hand, as well as the stainless steel bracelet with black ion-plating, and costs $650.
Bulova Precisionist Champlain 96B133 Watch
Another model from the Precisionist Champlain collection is the 96B132 that features a titanium case, and also has blue and white accents on its dial, as well as a strap made of Cordura ballistic fabric reinforced with Kevlar. This sort of the Bulova Precisionist Champlain timepiece is available for $600.
The fourth model includes a stainless steel case and bracelet; silver perlé, yellow and blue accents on its dial and also costs $600. The fifth and final variation is the most affordable: the model 98B142 costs $500 and includes a black rubber strap (with grooved pattern); blue and white accents and a black-ion plated stainless case.
Each Bulova Precisionist Champlain Watch is water resistant to 300 m and possesses a round case, 46.5 mm wide and 14.4 mm thick (except model 98B143, which is 14.8 mm thick).
I rec’d my Bulova 98B143 (grey/black & rose goldtone) from Amazon on Augusst 19. The photos on Bulova’s & Amazon’s websites, though well done, don’t convey the subtle, yet powerful, sense of presence that seeing it in reality does. It is truly a work of horological art. I set it to the US Naval Obsevatory’s Master Clock w/ verification from NIST’s WWVB transmitting at 60kHz out of Ft. Collins, CO on Friday ochronicallyafternoon, August 19, 2011. The sweep second hand & hour/minute hands align perfectly w/the chapter markers. Since setting it, I’ve noticed no drift in either direction isochronically – & I can detect visually variations of approx. 50 milliseconds & up. It’s now 4:30 am EDT, Sept. 3, 2011, so no noticeable drift has occurred in just over 2 weeks. Even my best Citizen has gained almost 2 seconds since I reset it simultaneously w/the 98B143.
The only drawback is some may find the watch a bit heavy; especially if used to Casios, Citizens, or the lighter quartz Seikos. But remember, this watch is tested to 300 meters, making it suitable for diving. Any diver’s watch rated to 300 meters with a stainless steel bracelet is going to have some mass. The only other minor disappointments are a mineral glass crystal in lieu of sapphire (same as the Citizen Titanium Skyhawk ) & the absence of a screw down caseback. I hear Citizen will retrofit a sapphire crystal to their Skyhawk A-Ts for about $100 (as of 2010) NOT including shipping & insurance costs. I don’t know if Bulova offers a similiar solution Why make the world’s most accurate & aesthetically pleasing watch & then slap a mineral glass crystal on it? Some argue that though sapphire is more scratch resistant, it’s also more brittle & will shatter more easily. I figure if you hit any sapphire crystal hard enough to shatter it, if you had mineral glass instead, it MIGHT not shatter, but I’d bet the resulting scratch would ruin the mineral glass crystal anyway. The only scenario where a shatter would be catastrophic (for the watch) as opposed to a ruinous scratch is while submerged – as in diving. Realistically, most who buy “diver’s” watches never snorkel, much less deep dive w/an oxy/helium mix. So the above referenced scenario is likely quite rare.
So, on a scale of 1 to 5, I desperately want to asign a 5; unfortunately, I cannot. Due to the caseback’s lack of a screw-down attachment & that darn mineral glass crystal in lieu of a sapphire one befitting a watch of such breakthrough design (not to mention price), I can only bestow a 4.6. Citizen uses sapphire on their “Titanium Golf” model (great for lefties as crown is on the left if looking at watch) with an MSRP of about $250, but uses cheaper mineral glass on the Skyhawk line, whose titanium model ‘s MSRP is $850. I’m aware their goal is to generate profit, not cater to the eccentricities of watch collectors. That being said, someone planning on shelling out around half a grand (or more) for a sports, diving, aviation, or even space
IOmega, Fortis) timepiece is NOT your typical Walmart watch customer who spends $20 – $50 for a relatively accurate & at times, even a fashionable one.
This is a watch with very nice functions. I like the water resistance of the watch because I dive very often and this watch will be a nice choice for me and my diving. Of course that this isn`t the only good stuff on the watch, there are also a quality and reliable movement, very stylish leather straps or steel bracelets, interesting design and okay battery reserve. Nice watch for only $600.
The price is incredibly low for this watch full of quality and nice designs. It is very unusual, actually just the model 98B143. It looks like it was made for astronauts. Anyway, these models are very nice, quality and each of them has the great mechanism. It would be nice to see it on my wrist very soon.
The model 96B133 looks more serious than the other models. It can be a perfect choice for some elegant events. Does anyone know how much it costs?
The model 96B132 is definitely one of the best models of this watch and of all other Bulova watches, too. Its water resistance is phenomenal indeed. Beside those 300 meters of water resistance, this watch has many other quality features. Of course, the price of the watch is simply brilliant.
I like the black carbon dial on each model of this watch. It looks very cool. Another great thing is the case made of titanium which is much stronger than steel. I don’t know how much the watch costs, but it’s worth every penny, that’s for sure. As for the case, you’re right, Benjamin, titanium is really much stronger than stainless steel, and not just that. The titanium is also anti-allergic, so people with sensitive skin can wear it without any problem.
A Kevlar strap is a true innovation and I like it so much! But, in my opinion, the watch would looks much better if it had a chronograph function, but it’s still good. Young people like me love this type of watches which look fine and very attractive.