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Bulova Jet Star 96K112 1973 Watch - Limited Edition - W09322
Ref. 96K112
The Jet Star was one of Bulova's more audacious designs of the early 1970s, a cushion-cased sports watch built for an era that had no interest in restraint. This reissue marks that 1973 heritage directly, and the edition is limited to 7,300 pieces — a specific number that gives it a defined end rather than the vague scarcity many brands trade in. At 40mm the case sounds conventional, but the 45mm lug-to-lug pulls it tight to the wrist in a way the diameter alone does not suggest, and the multi-faceted brushed and polished surfaces catch light from enough angles to make the silver dial's sunburst effect feel part of a considered whole rather than a standard finish. The red and blue hands and chapter ring are period-correct detail rather than retro cosplay — they belong to what this case was always asking for. The NM50 Precisionist calibre, made by Miyota, runs at 262 kHz, eight times the frequency of a standard quartz, which is what produces the continuously sweeping seconds hand and the ±5 seconds per month accuracy. At 159 grams on a solid bracelet without micro-adjustment, it has presence on the wrist; the included blue leather strap, with quick-release spring bars, is the lighter alternative and sits better under a cuff.
- Reference
- 96K112
- Brand
- Bulova
- Case size
- 40mm
- Case thickness
- 12.5mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Cushion
- Dial
- Silver
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Quartz
- Calibre
- NM50
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 50m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 45mm
- Strap
- Interchangeable
Learn more about Bulova
Joseph Bulova, a Bohemian immigrant, opened a jewellery shop on Maiden Lane in New York in 1875 and moved into watch manufacturing in the early twentieth century, building a plant in Sag Harbor and later a substantial operation in Queens.
Bulova's instinct for firsts was commercial as much as technical. It ran the first national advertisement for a watch brand in 1926, broadcast the first radio commercial in American history — a time announcement — in 1926, and aired the first television commercial ever broadcast in 1941, paying nine dollars for the slot.
The engineering came too. The Accutron of 1960 replaced the balance wheel with a tuning fork vibrating at 360 Hz, driven electronically. It was accurate to within a minute a month, far beyond mechanical watches, and it hummed rather than ticked. NASA used Accutron timing mechanisms in spacecraft, and one was left on the Moon in the equipment package of Apollo 11.
Bulova also made an enormous contribution to American war production, supplying military timing devices, and founded a school of watchmaking for disabled veterans.
The company was acquired by Citizen in 2008. Modern collections include the Precisionist, with a high-frequency quartz movement producing a smooth sweeping seconds hand, and reissues of the Accutron and the 1970s Computron.
- 1875
- Joseph Bulova opens his New York shop.
- 1941
- Airs the first television commercial in history.
- 1960
- The Accutron tuning fork movement is released.
- 1969
- An Accutron timer is left on the Moon by Apollo 11.
- 2008
- Acquired by Citizen.
Manufacturer’s guarantee
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Showering yes, swimming no. 50m covers splashes and brief immersion, but a swimming stroke generates well above the pressure that figure describes.
Will the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Does it need a battery?
Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.
What size strap does it take?
20mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 45mm, which suits wrists from roughly 16cm (6¼ inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's, though at 40mm it sits in the range that suits anyone.
Cheapest place to buy
F.Hinds is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
Who are F.Hinds?
F.Hinds has been run by the same family since 1856 and is now in its fifth generation, with more than 115 shops across England and Wales. They are a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and an Authorised Diamond Dealer.
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