Bulova 98B451 Marine Star Heritage Precisionist Chronograph Bracelet

Bulova 98B451: A 1970s Icon Gets Precisionist Power

Bulova dug into its archives for the Marine Star Heritage, and the 98B451 is the headliner. The original Marine Star from the 1970s was a serious tool chronograph, and this 150th anniversary edition borrows heavily from that era while packing in technology the original never had. The key differentiator here is the Precisionist NP20 movement running at 262 kHz—eight times the frequency of standard quartz—which gives the chronograph a smooth sweeping hand and instrument-grade accuracy.

That Bezel Tells the Story

The black-and-red rotating bezel is the first thing you notice, and it sets the tone for the whole watch. It ratchets in one direction with solid, well-defined clicks—this isn’t decorative. Combined with a screw-down crown and 200m water resistance, the 98B451 earns its dive credentials rather than just wearing them. The commemorative anchor caseback is a nice touch that ties back to the Marine Star heritage without being over the top.

262 kHz: Why It Matters

Most quartz chronographs measure in half-second or quarter-second increments. The Precisionist movement lets you time to 1/20 of a second, and the sweep of the chronograph hand is genuinely smooth—closer to a high-beat mechanical than a typical quartz tick. For anyone who actually uses a chronograph rather than just admiring subdials, this is a meaningful upgrade. Bulova has been refining this technology since 2010, and it shows.

Built Like a Tool Watch

At 42.85mm with a profile-cut stainless steel bracelet, the 98B451 has presence. The double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating handles glare well, and the luminous fill on the hands and markers is generous. The bracelet includes a diver’s extension in the clasp, which is a practical detail that confirms Bulova took the diving heritage seriously. At 181 grams, this is a substantial watch on the wrist—it won’t disappear under a shirt cuff.

The Bottom Line

The 98B451 is for someone who wants a capable chronograph diver with real tool-watch DNA and quartz reliability. If you need a mechanical movement, look elsewhere. If you want precision timing, proven water resistance, and a design that references something genuinely cool from the 1970s, this Marine Star Heritage delivers without pretending to be something it isn’t.