A Closer Look At The New Bulova CURV Tonneau Chronograph

We have great admiration for the rake, also known as a man- or woman-about-town who places importance upon their looks, language, and leisurely indulgences. But most of all, we admire the worldly way in which they approach their passions.

The Bulova CURV Curved Tonneau Chronograph is the perfect choice for enthusiasts who want a little extra flash in their everyday wear watch. The ergonomic luxury of the case and the Art Deco sensibility of this curved chronograph make it completely in step with the roaring 2020s definition of refinement.

As history buffs know, Bulova introduced the world's first curved chronograph movement back in 2016. Called the CURV, this collection featured a slim ergonomic case engineered to hug the contours of the wrist. It was and still is a marvel of technical engineering.

In late 2020, the CURV collection expanded with a new tonneau case shape.
 

The first tonneau-shaped watch was developed by Cartier in 1906, making it one of the earliest men’s wristwatches. In English, the word tonneau means “barrel,” which of course refers to its distinctive shape — not round, square, or cushion-shaped but something that still stands out today.

Over the decades, many watchmakers have made the tonneau their signature. But any complication that requires more than a time-only function tends to get a little bulky. Not to say there is anything wrong with that. There are plenty of rakes who like a lot of wrist presence. But some prefer their flash to be a little more understated.
 

The new Curved Tonneau case combines fit and flair to create a new kind of aesthetic that combines comfort and innovation with a luxurious design.
 

This new CURV Curved Tonneau Chronograph comes in two styles, featuring either an all gold-tone or a black and rose gold-tone stainless steel tonneau-shaped case that measures 41.65mm x 50mm by 10.10mm. Because it is designed to contour to the wrist, it still suits smaller wrists than most cases of this size. It makes a statement without being too in your face.
 

Other refined touches include a sophisticated skeletonized dial with a diagonally striped surface and a double curved sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Additionally, the gold-tone version comes on a matching bracelet, while the brown dial is presented on a rich brown alligator grain leather strap with a deployant push-button closure.
 

Of course, feeling weighed down is anathema to the rake. So to keep the watch light and the proportions streamlined, the CURV Curved Tonneau Chronograph is powered by Bulova’s proprietary 5-hand chronograph high-performance quartz movement that vibrates at 262kHz frequency for precise accuracy.
 

This highly-precise quartz movement also makes this timepiece more affordable than tonneau-shaped watches from Cartier, Richard Mille, or Franck Muller. Priced between $1,150 and $1,295, it is a very attractive proposition for the gadabout on a budget.
 

The Curved Tonneau Chronograph is available now. For more information about the CURV collection, please visit www.bulova.com.

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)