Manufacturer | Bulova |
Caliber Number | NM50 |
Movement Type | Quartz, battery-powered, |
Jewel Count | 8 (unconfirmed) |
Frequency | 262,144 Hz (262 kHz) |
Beats Per Second | 16 |
Accuracy Rating | +/- 5 seconds/month |
Battery Cell Number | CR2016 |
Battery Life | ~1 year |
Oscillator | 3-pronged quartz crystal |
Hand Count | 3 |
Functions | Central hours; central minutes; central seconds; date at 3:00 |
Hacking Seconds? | Yes |
Country of Manufacture | Made in Japan |
Known Models | Bulova Jet Star (Ref: 96B414, 96B415, 96K112, 97B214), Bulova Super Seville reissue (Ref: 97B223), Bulova Accutron II (Ref: 97B133) (Add your watch to the comments below…) |
Bulova caliber NM50 is a high frequency quartz movement with 3 hands and a date.
Their official description of the movement is:
“A movement featuring a 3-pronged quartz crystal with a frequency of 262 kHz that is 8 times greater than standard quartz, leading to an accuracy of seconds a year.”
As mentioned in the quote above, the cal. NM50 features an super smooth seconds hand thanks to it’s 262kHz vibration rate – which converts to 16 beats (vibrations) per second.
Watch this video of similar caliber P102 in action.
Bulova brands this movement as HPQ Precisionist and describes it’s functionality as “state-of-the-art Precisionist technology”.
You’ve heard of HAQ (High Accuracy Quartz), used by other brands? Well “HPQ” stands for High Performance Quartz.
The NM50 is found in various Bulova models, including the Icon Collection (at least as far back as 2018), where they state the accuracy to be accurate to 5 seconds per month:
“The watches of the Icon Collection are powered by Bulova’s Precisionist movement, a revolutionary 8-jewel quartz mechanism vibrating at a remarkable 262kHz, accurate to 5 seconds per month with increased resistance to temperature changes, and with a sweeping seconds hand.” –Source
This caliber is also found in the new Super Seville introduced on May 29, 2024.
In Bulova’s own words:
“The new Super Seville is powered by our proprietary high precision quartz Precisionist movement, a revolutionary 8-jewel quartz mechanism vibrating at a remarkable 262kHz, accurate to seconds per year with increased resistance to temperature changes, and with a smooth sweeping second hand.” -Super Seville product description
Some of the topics covered in this caliber listing:
Battery:
The battery in the NM50 is a large cell CR2016 battery. Bulova claims that the battery will last one year.
“Your new Quartz Watch has a fresh power cell designed to provide maximum reliability for approximately a year under normal use. If the cell is not replaced before it is exhausted, the watch will simply stop. The mechanism should not be harmed in any manner. However, when the power cell becomes exhausted, it should be removed at your earliest convenience to diminish the possibility of leakage. Never store your watch with an exhausted power cell in it.” -Official user manual (page 9)
Please comment below with your battery experience.
Hacking Seconds:
The calibre NM50 has hacking seconds (seconds hand stops when the crown is pulled out), which also serves as a method to preserve battery power.
“When the crown is in the “OUT” position, the motor and hands stop. Only the quartz crystal continues to vibrate, using very little power. If the watch is to be stored for a length of time, it is recommended that the crown be left in the “OUT” position to prolong battery life. This does not apply to models with two hands only.” -Official user manual (page 9)
Caliber Commentary:
Some reviews and videos from the watch community:
- Video: Urban Gentry Presents the Super Seville 38
- Video: This is a REALLY good watch… Bulova Jet Star review
- Video: Bulova’s NEW Super Seville Is My Favorite Quartz Watch!
- The Bulova Jet Star Might Be the Sexiest Watch $600 Can Buy (gq.com)
- Watch Review: Bulova Jet Star (ablogtowatch.com)
Examples of watches with this caliber:
Additional Resources:
Recent Comments
The Maurice LeCroix Les Classiques also use this movement. I must say that the Selita…
Heron Marinor also uses this movement.
Héron Marinor
Hi, I have just bought an MWC G10 (G10/100ST/1224) WR100 which also has this movement.…
Hi TimRod, welcome to Caliber Corner! To post pics in the caliber listing comments section,…
...can't figure out how to post pics.
The 8136 movement is also found in 96b372 crono a Bulova dress watch.