Bulova Marine Star 98A225 Review
Thinking about buying the Bulova Marine Star 98A225, but not sure if it’s the right watch for you? You’re in the right place. This review is designed to give you straight answers. No filler. No hype. Just useful, relevant information that helps you decide whether this watch fits your lifestyle, your expectations, and your budget. We’ll cover its design, performance, durability, and value for money, so you don’t have to piece together information from a dozen different sites.
By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what the Bulova Marine Star 98A225 actually offers—and whether it earns a spot in your collection or not. Simple, honest, and all in one place. Let’s get started!
Contents
First Impressions: Unboxing the Marine Star
Opening the box reveals Bulova’s attention to presentation. The watch comes in a sturdy black box with the company logo embossed on top. The package includes the watch, warranty information, and instruction manual. Bulova provides a generous three-year warranty with their timepieces.
Right away, the weight feels substantial—not uncomfortably heavy but with enough heft to signal quality. The combination of silvertone stainless steel with blue accents creates an eye-catching contrast that photographs don’t fully capture.
Design That Demands Attention
The Bulova Marine Star 98A225 features a silver-white dial housed in a 45mm stainless steel case. The blue tone outer ring isn’t a rotating bezel but provides a striking color contrast that enhances the watch’s nautical aesthetic.
What truly distinguishes this model is the open heart (balance wheel) display at 7 o’clock, offering a glimpse into the mechanical workings of the automatic movement. The small seconds sub-dial sits at 5 o’clock, creating an asymmetrical but balanced dial layout that draws the eye.
One standout design element is how the silver-white dial catches the light, providing excellent legibility under various lighting conditions. The signed crown features Bulova’s blue oval symbol, adding a subtle brand touch that watch enthusiasts will appreciate.
Built to Last: Quality and Construction
The Bulova Marine Star 98A225’s stainless steel case measures 13.45mm thick, giving it a substantial wrist presence without being overly bulky. The watch features a flat mineral crystal rather than sapphire, which helps keep the price reasonable but means you’ll need to be somewhat careful about scratches.
With 200 meters of water resistance (not just 100 as sometimes incorrectly listed), this Marine Star handles serious swimming and water activities with confidence. Don’t let the dressy appearance fool you—this watch can handle more than just office duty.
The blue textured silicone strap with a contrasting red underside adds both comfort and visual interest. At 22mm wide, the strap provides excellent stability for the substantial case while offering a sporty look that differentiates it from more traditional steel bracelet models in the Marine Star lineup.
Bulova Marine Star 98A225 Performance
Unlike the quartz chronograph versions in the Marine Star collection, the Bulova Marine Star 98A225 features a Miyota 82S5 automatic movement visible through the display caseback.
This Japanese workhorse movement provides:
- 42 hours of power reserve
- 21,600 vibrations per hour (6 beats per second)
- Hand-winding capability
- Hacking the second-hand function for precise time setting
- Accuracy ranging from -20 to +40 seconds per day
The exhibition caseback lets you admire the movement in action—a feature that watch enthusiasts particularly appreciate and one that adds value to the overall package.
Real-World Wearability
Despite its 45mm case size, the Bulova Marine Star 98A225 wears surprisingly well even on medium-sized wrists thanks to manageable lug dimensions and the comfortable silicone strap. That said, those with smaller wrists (under 6.5 inches) might find it overwhelming.
The textured silicone strap provides excellent grip during active wear, while the red underside adds an unexpected pop of color that’s visible only to the wearer most of the time—a nice hidden detail. The strap comes with a traditional buckle closure rather than a deployant clasp, making adjustments quick and easy.
One practical note: the watch has a substantial height of 13.45mm. It won’t easily slip under tight cuffs, so consider this if you wear dress shirts with narrow sleeves frequently.
Value Proposition: Is It Worth Your Money?
Retailing around $595, though often available for around $475 during sales, the Bulova Marine Star 98A225 positions itself in the mid-range watch market. Compared to Swiss automatics with similar features, it offers considerable value, especially considering Bulova’s reputation for reliability and the included three-year warranty.
Within Bulova’s own lineup, it commands a premium over basic quartz models but remains more accessible than its higher-end Precisionist or CURV collections. For an automatic movement with open heart display, the pricing feels fair, especially when considering the 200m water resistance and versatile styling.
Who Should Consider This Watch?
The Bulova Marine Star 98A225 is ideal for:
- Those seeking an automatic watch with visual mechanical interest
- Buyers wanting 200m water resistance without a dive watch aesthetic
- Watch enthusiasts appreciating the value proposition of Japanese automatic movements
- People who enjoy the comfort of silicone straps with unique design touches (like the red underside)
If you prefer metal bracelets, Bulova offers other versions of the Marine Star with steel bracelets.
Final Verdict
The Bulova Marine Star 98A225 delivers an impressive combination of mechanical sophistication, reliable performance, and reasonable value. The automatic Miyota movement with open heart display provides much of the appeal of more expensive watches at a fraction of the price.
Its standout blue and silver aesthetic with red strap underside details provides versatility rarely found at this price point. The 200m water resistance, coupled with the sporty silicone strap, makes it suitable for everything from beach days to business casual settings.
Whether you’re new to automatic watches or adding to an existing collection, this Marine Star model offers enough distinctive character and practical functionality to justify its place on your wrist. With its three-year warranty and established reliability, it represents one of the better values in Bulova’s diverse lineup.
If you’d like to see how the Marine Star compares with other standout models, take a look at our roundup of the best Bulova watches this year. For a broader perspective on the brand’s craftsmanship and reliability, don’t miss our comprehensive review of Bulova watches.