With Nautical Design Elements and Bulova Timepiece Accuracy, the Marine Star Watch Line Pairs Elegance With Function

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. We update when possible, but deals expire and prices can change. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Questions? Reach us at shop@mensjournal.com.

Created in partnership with Bulova.

Whether on a schooner or a yacht, boating inspires romantic visions of great adventures, open waters, and exciting new destinations. Most of us will never have the ability or opportunity to sail the Seven Seas or even the local lakes, but the right accessory can inspire the same feeling, even when we’re landlocked.

The Bulova Marine Star line was designed with the sea in mind, with seafaring accents, chronographs, and water resistance up to 100 meters. Each of the designs is also available with a deep ocean blue face, which we’re sure will have you dreaming of crossing seas and oceans, the salt air, and perhaps finding buried treasure.

Marine Star Series A

The newest entry in the blue dial Marine Star line is this beauty ($650, bulova.com), with a stainless steel bracelet that has more of a brushed finish, giving it a classic elegance. Truly striking in appearance, this version of the Series A has the trademark open heartbeat features on the front and back of the watch, giving you an inside look at the 21-jewel movement through flat mineral crystal. The iconic blue dial features large, easy-to-read Roman numerals and luminescent hands with orange accents. It’s also water-resistant up to 200 meters, which makes it seaworthy.

Another newbie in the Marine Star line is this really ridiculously good-looking blue dial Series A in a rose gold case ($625, bulova.com). The red accents really stand out on the blue face and continue under the blue textured silicone strap, which gives the whole watch a truly sporty look. Three-hand automatic movement means the watch is simply wound, with no battery to replace. “If unique is what you seek then you have to look no further than this watch,” said one fan online. The blue silicone band with the rose gold case is quite an interesting combination. The rose gold is pretty shiny and it stands out. It will definitely garner someone’s attention.”

Marine Star Series B

This classic Series B model ($393.75, was $525, bulova.com), with the stainless steel bracelet and blue dial, reminds us of boating days with our father. The six-hand face has a calendar feature and a 1/20-second chronograph that measures up to a full hour. “I originally purchased this watch to fulfill a niche in my wardrobe/style for work,” said one reviewer. “This watch has crossed oceans with me and has been admired by many.”

It’s a true jack-of-all-trades wristwatch with the good looks and quality timekeeping we’ve come to expect from Bulova, and it makes a great gift for college graduates. “I bought this watch as a gift to myself for starting my first real job out of college,” said one reviewer. “I have always wanted a Bulova watch because it was the best look and quality for a modest price. I love the marine star style and the colors accent well with any outfit that I wear. I wear my watch every single day and I love it. I can’t wait to continue my collection.”

Series B – Blue Dial

The clean lines of this Series B Blue Dial Marine Star ($360, was $450, bulova.com) combine a stainless steel bracelet with gold accents and a gold bezel, which along with the blue dial, creates a handsome watch that can be worn anywhere. Water resistant to 100 meters, this battery-powered model keeps things simple with three hands, luminous dial markers and a calendar feature. Attracted by the affordable price tag, one reviewer said, “Excellent product. Very classy appearance. Looks like it costs much more. I’m very happy with this purchase.”

Series B – White Accents

White accents on the dial and the silicone strap make this Series B model ($380, was $475, bulova.com) stand out from the crowd. To us, it says the wearer is ready to sail away at a moment’s notice to a tropical island. The six-hand chronograph movement is inside a stainless steel case with flat mineral glass. One reviewer has put this into the regular wearing rotation, even off the water, saying, “I’ve had the marine star for about 2 months, and it has quickly become one of my favorite watches. It is just a beautiful timepiece. Runs great, and the quality is self-evident.”

Series B – Gold Accent

For those who love a gold accent, may we introduce this Series B Model ($396, was $495, bulova.com) with the gold-toned stainless steel case, blue leather and silicone strap with red accent stitching, and six-hand chronograph functionality. The rotating dial ring measures elapsed time for those days when you’re racing on the open water. This long-time Bulova fan raved, “The workmanship is excellent, the designs better and more robust than many of the higher priced watches. I love my Marine Star as it gets more compliments than my friend’s Rolex. The vivid colors of the watch faces and the nice leather bands are just great to wear on your wrist.”

Marine Star Series C

We love this new Marine Star Series C model with a stainless steel bracelet and rose gold accents ($500, was $625, bulova.com). Also water resistant up to 200 meters, it has a ratcheted rotating bezel with a domed mineral crystal, calendar feature, and six-hand chronograph movement. One reviewer, who comes from a long line of Bulova watch-wearing men, warns that “Eye contact with the Bulova-98B301 Marine Star is highly addictive. This watch is stunning! This is a piece of art worn on the wrist.” Battery-powered, the quartz crystal regulates the time and is accurate up to 15 seconds per month.

This Series C Marine Star Automatic ($476, was $595, bulova.com) has an alligator grain embossed leather strap with a silicone backing, which gives it an elegant look alongside the stability and comfort of a silicone strap. The blue dial on this model has a tinted exhibition window, so in addition to the open-heartbeat window on the back of the watch, wearers can see the 21-jewel automatic movement without losing the classic ocean blue face. Because it’s made with the Bulova automatic movement, it never needs a battery and winds the spring with the motion of the wearer’s wrist.

One reviewer said, “I purchased this watch yesterday. Once I saw it in person it was love at first sight. I purchased it right then and there. This watch really looks good. Simple but elegant.” 

Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.