Bulova vs. Michael Kors: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Bulova prioritizes horological innovation and traditional craftsmanship, offering watches with high-precision movements and classic designs built to last. In contrast, Michael Kors operates as a fashion-first brand, where watches serve as trendy, chic accessories that complement a modern, jet-set lifestyle and prioritize aesthetics over complex mechanics.

Let's compare these two brands to help you decide which timepiece best suits your style and needs.

Bulova: The Heritage of American Watchmaking

Bulova is a respected American watch brand with over 140 years of history, known for its commitment to precision, innovation, and accessible luxury. It appeals to those who appreciate a brand with a rich heritage and a focus on the technical aspects of watchmaking, offering a blend of timeless style and modern performance for both watch enthusiasts and everyday wearers.

• Product mix: Offers a diverse range of styles including classic dress watches, sporty chronographs, and intricate mechanical models. Collections often feature a timeless aesthetic suitable for both formal and casual settings.
• Price point: The selection is quite broad, starting at around $150 for essential quartz models and extending beyond $1,000 for their premium Swiss-made pieces and complex limited editions.
• Quality: Known for using durable materials like 316L stainless steel and scratch-resistant sapphire crystals. Bulova's proprietary Precisionist movement is a key feature, offering accuracy to within a few seconds per year with a smoothly sweeping second hand.
• Sizing/Fit: Caters to a wide array of preferences with case diameters ranging from smaller, elegant 28mm watches for women to larger 45mm+ sport models for men, adhering to traditional watch proportions.
• Return policy: Typically offers a standard 30-day return policy for unworn watches purchased directly from their website, with similar policies available through authorized retailers.

Bulova is an excellent choice for anyone who values technical quality, accuracy, and a sense of history in their timepiece, providing reliable performance wrapped in a versatile design.

Shop Bulova: bulova.com

Michael Kors: The Jet-Set Fashion Watch

Michael Kors is a world-renowned fashion powerhouse that extends its trendy, sophisticated aesthetic into its watch collections. The brand’s timepieces function primarily as stylish accessories, designed for a youthful, fashion-forward audience that wants an affordable piece of luxury to elevate their look. The emphasis is on current trends, glamour, and recognizable branding.

• Product mix: Watches are designed to be fashion accessories, often featuring polished gold-tones, rose-gold finishes, bracelet styles, and chronograph-style dials that align with current apparel collections.
• Price point: Most Michael Kors watches are positioned in the accessible luxury category, typically priced between $150 and $500.
• Quality: Built to serve as fashion pieces, these watches use reliable and standard materials like stainless steel cases, mineral crystals, and Japanese quartz movements. They are durable for everyday wear but not intended for a serious watch collector.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing often leans toward bold, statement-making designs, with case diameters commonly ranging from 38mm to 45mm. Many styles have an "oversized" look that is a key part of the brand's aesthetic.
• Return policy: Offers a straightforward return policy, usually within 30 days for new, unworn items, making it easy to purchase online or in-store.

Think of a Michael Kors watch as a piece of jewelry that tells time - it's perfect for someone who prioritizes style and coordinating accessories with their wardrobe.

Shop Michael Kors: michaelkors.com

Bulova vs. Michael Kors Comparison

Price Comparison

Michael Kors watches are generally more affordable, occupying a narrow price bracket from $150 to $500. This solidifies their position as an accessible fashion accessory. They offer a strong sense of an aspirational lifestyle at a price point that fashion-conscious shoppers can easily accommodate.

Bulova offers a much broader price range. While their entry-level quartz models start around $150, competing directly with Michael Kors, their collections extend to over $1,000 for premium archival pieces and Swiss-made automatic watches. The higher price for Bulova reflects superior materials and more advanced horological engineering, offering better long-term value for those who see a watch as an investment.

Quality & Materials

Bulova holds a clear advantage in terms of technical quality and materials. Many of its watches feature sapphire crystals, which are highly scratch-resistant, durable stainless steel cases, and Japanese or Swiss movements known for their reliability. The standout feature is Bulova’s Precisionist quartz movement, which is one of the most accurate in the world and provides a continuous sweep second hand typically found only in high-end automatic watches.

Michael Kors uses quality materials for its price point, including stainless steel and dependable quartz movements. However, to keep an accessible price, most models use mineral glass crystals, which are more prone to scratching than the sapphire crystals often found on Bulova watches. The focus for Michael Kors is reliably delivering a specific fashionable look, not pushing the boundaries of watchmaking.

Style & Aesthetic

The style of Bulova is generally more timeless and versatile. Their collections range from classic, minimalist dress watches appropriate for the office to robust, feature-rich sports chronographs. This makes Bulova a safe choice for almost any occasion, appealing to a buyer who wants a watch to wear for many years across changing trends.

Michael Kors watches are designed to be explicitly fashionable and on-trend. They often feature eye-catching elements like pavé-crystal bezels, logo-embossed dials, and popular platings like rose gold. The aesthetic is contemporary, glamorous, and bold - it’s a brand for someone who wants their watch to be noticed as part of their overall outfit right now.

Fit & Sizing

Bulova provides a more traditional sizing experience with a comprehensive range of case sizes suitable for almost any wrist. With options starting around 28mm and going up to 45mm, you can find something understated or bold. They offer balanced proportions that prioritize comfort and classic wearability.

Michael Kors is known for its popular "boyfriend" and oversized styles, which feature larger case diameters, often starting at 38mm. While they offer smaller sizes, the brand aesthetic leans toward a more prominent wrist presence. If you enjoy a heavier, more substantial watch that makes a statement, Michael Kors sizing will be a great fit.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice between these two brands comes down to what you want your watch to do: tell a story of craftsmanship or make a fashion statement.

Choose Bulova if:

• You appreciate the history and technical innovation of watchmaking.
• You want a durable, high-quality timepiece that is highly accurate.
• Your style is more classic and timeless than trendy.
• You plan on keeping this watch for many years as a primary accessory.

Choose Michael Kors if:

• You see your watch as a key fashion accessory to complete your outfits.
• You prioritize modern, glamorous aesthetics and brand recognition.
• You enjoy larger, statement-making watches that get noticed.
• You want an affordable piece of designer luxury without a high price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bulova or Michael Kors cheaper?

Michael Kors is generally cheaper, with the majority of their collection priced between $150 and $500. While Bulova has models in that range, its premium offerings can exceed $1,000, catering to a higher budget.

Which brand has better quality watches?

Bulova has better overall quality from a watchmaking perspective. They use superior materials like sapphire crystals more often and feature advanced, highly accurate movements like the Precisionist. Michael Kors watches are well-made for fashion accessories but are not on the same level in terms of materials or mechanical complexity.

Are Michael Kors watches considered luxury?

Michael Kors watches are considered "accessible luxury" or fashion luxury. They carry the name of a high-end designer and offer a trendy look at an affordable price, but they are not considered a high-horology luxury watch brand like Rolex or Omega.

Is Bulova a high-end watch brand?

Bulova is considered a well-respected mid-tier watch brand. It is known for its quality craftsmanship and historical significance, positioning it as a step above fast-fashion brands. While not high luxury, their top-tier Accutron and Swiss-made models are highly regarded by watch enthusiasts.

Which brand is better for a man?

Both brands offer men's lines, but they serve different tastes. Bulova's extensive collection of classic, sport, and automatic watches traditionally appeals more broadly to men looking for a quality timepiece. Michael Kors offers stylish, modern designs for fashion-forward men, but their range is smaller and more trend-focused.

What movements do Bulova watches use?

Bulova uses a variety of movements, including reliable Japanese and Swiss quartz movements, automatic (self-winding) mechanical movements, and its proprietary high-frequency Precisionist quartz technology.

Do Michael Kors watches hold their value?

Like most fashion watches, Michael Kors timepieces do not typically hold their value over time. They are fashion accessories whose appeal aligns with current trends. Bulova watches, especially limited edition or mechanical models, tend to have better long-term value retention.

Are Bulova watches owned by a bigger company?

Yes, since 2008, Bulova has been a part of the Japanese multinational Citizen Watch Co., which is recognized for its own technological innovations in timekeeping, like the Eco-Drive movement.