Reviving its memorable LED watches from the 1970s, the Bulova Computron LED watch assortment is difficult to not love. Something “retro” is simple to do and even simpler to screw up, however Bulova has knocked it out of the park with what could be my watch of the summer season and total favourite digital watch in fairly a while. There are three kinds of the Bulova Computron LED as a part of this inaugural run, although I wouldn’t be stunned by new watch colours, in addition to new colours for the LED show. Obtainable in a black, gold-tone, or a limited-run stainless-steel with blue LED show, the Bulova Archive Computron LED watches begin at $295 and go as much as $395.
Whereas we have been enjoying round with these watches at Baselworld, our Zach Piña was adamant that it’s all concerning the gold-tone mannequin. Personally, I’ve an affinity for essentially the most reasonably priced piece within the assortment which is the black mannequin. I’ve a weak point for rubber strap, and this one feels excellent on the wrist.
The trapezoidal case of the Bulova Computron measures 31mm-wide, simply round 40mm-long, and 13.8mm-thick at it’s highest level. These numbers are fairly nebulous statistics contemplating the bizarre form and design of the case, however the proportions are good for a unisex piece. The precise facet of the case has the button that prompts the LED display displaying the time (it’s black in any other case), although this single button on the Computron serves a number of functions. Sequentially pushing the button lets you cycle by a time, day/date, and second time zone.
The quartz motion inside has a couple of two-year battery life, although I suppose that estimate will rely upon how a lot you truly use and activate the LED display. Personally I’m glad Bulova didn’t “modernize” the Computron by outfitting it with one thing like a movement detector that prompts the LED display on the flick of a wrist or one thing alongside these strains. I believe maximizing battery life, whereas nonetheless including helpful features just like the second time zone and protecting the worth the place it’s, was the magic method that Bulova completely nailed. Nicely, these issues and protecting the cool, nearly retro-futurist type in tact.
The unique Bulova Computron from 1976 and the flicks Silent Operating and Star Wars solely tangentially share the truth that each got here after the 1969 moon touchdown when our imaginations on what the long run would appear to be have been being explored visually. After I give it some thought, the form of the trapezoid retains revealing itself as an architectural illustration of “the long run.” All that is to say that the Computron case, the drones from Silent Operating, and a number of the ships and automobiles from Star Wars just like the T-47 Airspeeder all really feel like they got here from the identical place in our collective creativeness on the time.
However, again to 2019 and these reissues. As I beforehand talked about, there are three varieties right here with the black on silicone strap, gold-tone, and stainless-steel variations. Each the black and gold-tone fashions share the red-colored LED show however the stainless-steel mannequin makes use of a blue LED show. Whereas it’s not technically a restricted version, Bulova is barely promoting the stainless-steel/blue LED mannequin for a restricted time so I’ve a sense these might be gone fairly quickly. Personally, I’m hoping for a Computron that’s a mix of the black mannequin with blue show.
The Bulova Computron LED digital watch assortment is presently out there from Bulova’s e-shop. The black stainless-steel on black rubber strap mannequin ref. 98C135 is priced at $295; the limited-availability stainless-steel mannequin on stainless-steel bracelet ref. 96C139 is priced at $350; and the gold-tone ref. 97C110 is priced at $395. To be frank, these are priced on the candy spot, and I count on to see loads of Computrons on folks’s wrists this summer season (and transferring ahead). You’ll be able to study extra at bulova.com.
