Customer Reviews

Bulova Men's 98A000 Marine Star Alarm Watch

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I looked at a large number of watches in the $200-400 price range, and picked this one. Excellent design, a bit sporty/nautical yet still classic enough to wear with a suit. The steel is high-quality and the face texture looks very sleek, even more so than it appears in the photos. All the details are very sharp.

I got this at a discount, but even at MSRP this is a great watch for the price. I think the size is acceptable. Any larger would be too large, but it works.

I love the watch. Casual enough for khakis/jeans, classy enough for suits. I have a client that is in a different time zone and have set the alarm dial to their time to remove the errors in my mental math. The dial is easy to read, alarm is easy to set/unset/reset, and the alarm is perfect, in either mode. My only complaint (ergo the 4 star rating) is the lack of a day of month feature.

I have a Model 98A51 - which has the same movement as all Bulova Vibra Alarm watches. The watch keeps good time. The alarm dial quit working after about a year - can't set the alarm - alarm hand move slowly, when they do at all, won't work. Bulova Service tells me that they are familiar with the problem, and that the movement has to be replaced - at a cost of %80.00. By-the-way, the service person I talked with had the same problem with his Vibra Alarm.

I was easily drawn to this particular watch as it had the rotating bezel which I find more useful than a chronograph for my timing needs. Being waterproof to 100 meters gives me the assurance if I forget to take it off stepping into the shower or the hot tub, it will survive. The alarm which is simple to set works very well was an added benefit but I would have preferred the day-date window except I do like the idea of using it for a 2nd time zone. My only complaint is that the hands could have been given a wider phosphorescent coating to read in the dark.

No me gusto mucho aunque por momento lo uso.
Es muy grueso, la correa es muy rijida, no tiene fecha y la alarma no sirve para mucho.
Lo bueno es que es silencioso y viene funcionando bien.

It a beautiful watch - the picture does not do it justice. Its appearance make it a great gift. The vibration alarm (a feature alarm watches had before electronics)makes it is very useful for salesman, teachers, students, travelers and cooks. The silent alarm is felt so it does not disturb anyone or draw attention. SETTING THE ALARM IS SIMPLE!!! The only feature needed to make this a perfect watch is a perpetual calendar. When I tell people about it they are very impressed. Eyes light up when they try it on and the alarm goes off. It is very useful for people who have trouble hearing. Older people snicker because for them it is not a new idea. I spend a lot of time in noisy airports, so the vibration alarm is very useful. Bulova did a great job designing the watch, but did a very poor job marketing it. I've yet to find a person who knows about it.

I looked around a lot to find the perfect watch for working and dress. I am an attorney, so I was not looking for durability or a lot of bells and whistles. I had really just two criteria: it had to look nice with a suit and it had to have a alarm (as I had become dependent on my digital watch's alarm to get to meetings on time and remember things I had to do at home).

This watch definitely looks good. Not over the top with gold and diamonds. Just masculine enough, just interesting enough, just polished enough.

I have yet to set the alarm since, alas, I am not working currently. The vibrating alarm was the clincher for me, so I am hoping that lives up to the positive reviews of it I have read.

But as a reviewer, I will tell you a few things that surprised me.

One, it weighs a pound! I swear, I had it on Christmas day (it was a gift) and when I reached for something I thought my sleeve was caught on something! So, since my regular watch had been a Casio digital, I was not used to the sheer density of it. After a day wearing it, I never thought about it again.

Two, when retiring for the night, I turned off the Christmas lights and headed for bed. I glanced at my watch and saw nothing. It has no illumination. No light, no glowing hands. I.e. it is impossible to read it in the dark. That's a drag, but I completely missed that when I chose it. I guess I assumed it would have at least glowing hands.

Three, I never realized how often I looked at my watch for the date. This watch has none, of course, and I am wondering why that slipped past me. It obviously has no date, but my point is that you should consider the need for one when you're deciding on a watch. I did not and I kind of regret that now.

These issues may be the norm with a dress watch. I point these things out in case illumination and a date are important to you. I have another Casio digital on the way and I guess I will have to get used to changing watches when I get home from work.

Lastly, this watch's price has fluctuated and is at this writing about $90 more than when I first put it in the cart. Shop around for the best price.

This watch has a beautiful face. Looks much more expensive than the price. I would describe it as upscale sporty. It goes great on the weekend with a t-shirt and shorts or it can hold it's own in a suit at work. Very versatile, keeps good time, comfortable band and water resistant to boot. Buy it here because you won't find it lower anywhere else. Even BJ's, who is known for good prices on watches and jewelry, sells it for $200. Great bang for the buck with the respected Bulova name. My only critique/suggestion would be to have a date indicator instead of the alarm.

I purchased this watch to remember my grandfather and his love for Bulova watches. I love the look and get compliments on it, but I find the strap is very uncomfortable. It refuses to 'bend' nicely, as in the links don't flex nicely. It seems almost like the tolerances are too tight between links. This leads to kinks forming and hairs getting caught in it. I wish the strap would flex nicely and fit to my arm, rather than being a stiff ring. The vibrating alarm is very slick...

I stalked this watch for over a year, hoping for the price to come down. Always looking for the best bargain I can find, it finally happened for me.

This is a super-fine timepiece. After a minor link adjustment, it fits me like a glove. It is supremely well made, durable and very accurate. One of my favorites.

The alarm function, which can be switched between audible and vibration is a waste of technology. Neither mode is noticeable when it activates. If you are truly looking for an alarm function in a watch, this one won't due. It matters little to me, for that is not what sold me on it.

The sub-dial meant for use to set the alarm is very discreet, and for me, works perfectly as a second time zone indicator. I much prefer that function over an alarm, and it is a big plus for me as I rate this product. I find this watch to be perfectly balanced, suitably accurate, and as I said, a pleasure to wear. Definitely one of my favorites. If you can still find one at a reasonable price, as I did, and if the style is suitable to you, don't hesitate. In my opinion, this particular model, within the Marine Star lineup, is one of Bulova's finest creations. I love it.