Bulova Celebrates a Decade of Grading on the Curv

This year is, basically, a veritable log-jam of notable watch anniversaries: The esteemed watchmaker Ulysse Nardin celebrates 180 years (with its disruptive Freak turning 25), while Audemars Piguet just kicked off its 150^th anniversary celebrations; Tudor turns 100, as does the Rolex Oyster; the Patek Philippe Nautilus technically turns 50, as does the IWC Ingenieur and Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology; then there are relatively recent milestones, like Parmigiani Fleurier’s 30th birthday and Richard Mille’s 25^th. All these celebrations (and more) are happening in 2026.

However, it was 10 years ago that watchmaker Bulova introduced the popular, wrist-fitting Curv model, bringing a case design generally explored by loftier watchmakers (technically called “basinée in haute horology-speak) to the masses.

And while pieces like Chopard’s recent L.U.C Grand Strike uber-sonnerie and Cartier’s classic Cintrée and Drive models certainly come to mind as elevated curved case executions, the accessibility and appeal of Bulova’s quartz-powered Curv chrono (which, by the way, was the world’s first curved chronograph) cannot be denied.

In 2023, we saw a trio of colorful Curv chronos from the maker that took strong visual advantage of the model’s outstanding concave visual pop and fit appeal. But the new Curv 10th Anniversary Edition chronograph, with a sophisticated chocolate-brown dial and a gleaming 41mm steel case and interchangeable bracelet design (with innovations we will get to later), sets a high bar for the collection.
 

“The CURV was a boundary-breaking achievement ten years ago, and by introducing the 41mm size and interchangeable straps, we are ensuring that this pinnacle of horological technology remains as wearable and relevant as it is groundbreaking,” said Jeffrey Cohen, President, Citizen Watches, of the launch.

Bulova’s precision 262kHz quartz movement lies underneath a brown dial for this celebratory model, but the designers were not content with just an unexpected “sober” color approach. The chocolate dial overlay is translucent, creating a mouthwatering recipe of rounded diagonal patterning, smoothness (especially around the three chrono sundials), and just the right amount of movement visibility.
 

Partially skeletonized hands help facilitate the view, while circular sub-dials with minimalist gauging (60 seconds at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock) add some geometric complexity to the dial design that jumps the effect well beyond what you might initially expect from a “brown dial.”

This new Curv’s case design may speak to the future of the collection, but the use of steel may, in fact, say even more. That is because, while the 41.5mm case carries the expected flat chrono-pushers and crown on the right side with a vertical flange for balance on the left, there are also two particularly deep U-shaped case components, top and bottom, that present a kind of vertical-meets-horizontal point for bracelet attachment.
 

The tapered steel links of the bracelet also feature joiners that are a bit more widely spaced than you might expect. The easy, open, looser use of steel adds (in this writer’s opinion) a big dose of unique handsomeness to the Curv’s abundant precision and wrist-comfort bona fides.
 

Finally, an equally handsome optional black rubber strap (that picks up the diagonal pattern from the dial) is made even more appealing by the watch’s quick-swap strap system (with large release buttons on the underside of the bracelet and strap) mentioned above.

Available as you read this, the Curv 10th Anniversary Edition lists for $1,450. For more information, check out the Bulova website.