Some watches feel like polished tradition—smooth dials, quiet elegance, familiar shapes. The Bulova Maquina 98A318 is the opposite in the best way. It feels like a machine made wearable: angular, architectural, and visibly alive.

The moment it hits your wrist, you understand the name “Maquina.” The dial doesn’t hide behind a face. Instead, it opens up—showing gears and motion like the watch is proud of its heartbeat. Add the deep electric-blue frame, rose-gold accents, and a tonneau case that looks sculpted rather than stamped, and you get a timepiece that doesn’t just tell time… it announces it.

This is a skeleton watch for someone who wants modern edge—but still wants the real satisfaction of an automatic movement turning away beneath the crystal.

Bulova Maquina 98A318 Specs 

Here are the key specs buyers usually care about most:

Reference: 98A318

Case size: 40mm stainless steel (tonneau shape)

Movement: Bulova 8N26 automatic

Power reserve: 42 hours

Jewels: 21 jewels (commonly listed for this movement configuration)

Functions: 3-hand, full skeleton/open dial

Crystal: Anti-reflective dual-curved sapphire crystal

Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)

Dial: Blue with rose-gold accents + luminous hands and markers

Strap: Blue HNBR strap (durable performance rubber) with a 3-piece buckle

Lug width: 24mm

Weight: approx. 94g

Design Breakdown: Why the 98A318 Looks Like “Wrist Engineering”

1) The tonneau case gives it presence without looking oversized

Round watches are everywhere. The Maquina’s tonneau shape feels more like a piece of industrial design—sleek edges, broad shoulders, and a profile that looks intentional from every angle. Even at 40mm, it wears with more visual presence because the shape fills the wrist differently than a circle.

2) The skeleton dial is framed for readability

A lot of skeleton watches are exciting… and impossible to read. The Maquina is smarter. It uses bold markers and strong hands to keep the time easy to catch at a glance, while the open-worked center delivers the mechanical show.

3) Blue + rose gold is a luxury-performance combo

The colorway is one of this model’s secret weapons:

Blue gives it modern energy and sport character

Rose gold accents add warmth and premium contrast
Together, they create a look that feels “high-end cockpit” rather than “generic fashion skeleton.”

The Movement: Automatic Satisfaction Without the Fuss

The Bulova 8N26 automatic inside the 98A318 is the reason this watch feels genuinely alive. You don’t just wear it—you power it.

What the 42-hour power reserve means in real life:

Wear it through the day, take it off at night, and it usually keeps running into the next day

Great for a rotation, especially if you alternate between a couple of watches during the week

And because it’s a skeleton design, you’re constantly reminded it’s mechanical—gears turning, components moving, time being made, not just displayed.

Sapphire Crystal: The Feature That Protects the Show

A skeleton watch is all about the view—so the crystal matters more than usual.

The Maquina uses dual-curved sapphire with anti-reflective coating, which brings two big benefits:

Scratch resistance that helps keep the dial looking new

Better clarity under bright lighting (less glare, more “clean window” effect)

It’s a key reason this watch feels like a serious piece, not just an edgy design.

Water Resistance: What 50m Really Means

With 50m water resistance, the Maquina is designed for everyday life:

rain

hand washing

daily wear

and even still-water swimming in calm conditions

But it’s not a dive watch, and because it’s an automatic with case seals to protect, it’s always smart to avoid hot tubs/saunas (heat can stress gaskets over time).

The Strap: Why HNBR Is a Big Deal

Bulova fits the 98A318 with a blue HNBR strap—performance rubber known for durability and resistance to wear. Translation: it’s made to handle sweat, heat, and daily use far better than typical soft rubber straps.

This strap choice is perfect for the Maquina’s personality: modern, technical, and ready for everyday life without looking like a gym accessory.

Best “Good Points” of the Bulova Maquina 98A318

1. Futuristic tonneau case that stands out from round-watch crowd

2. Full skeleton automatic: mechanical motion on display

3. 42-hour power reserve for real-world convenience

4. Dual-curved AR sapphire crystal for durability + clarity

5. Blue + rose gold contrast looks premium and modern

6. Luminous hands/markers keep it usable at night

7. 50m water resistance makes it daily-wear practical

8. HNBR strap is rugged, comfortable, and performance-ready

9. 24mm lug width gives it a bold, modern stance on wrist

Bulova Maquina 98A318 (FAQs)

1) Is the Bulova Maquina 98A318 automatic?

Yes. The 98A318 uses an automatic (self-winding) mechanical movement.

2) What size is the Bulova 98A318?

It’s a 40mm tonneau-shaped case. The shape gives it strong wrist presence without needing an oversized diameter.

3) What does “full skeleton” mean?

A full skeleton watch has an open-worked dial that reveals the movement’s components—gears, bridges, and moving parts—so you can see the mechanics in action.

4) Does the Bulova 98A318 have sapphire crystal?

Yes—this model features a dual-curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.

5) How water resistant is the Bulova Maquina 98A318?

It’s rated to 50 meters (5 bar)—good for everyday water exposure and calm-water swimming, but not a dive watch.

6) What is the power reserve on the Bulova 98A318?

It’s listed with a 42-hour power reserve.

7) Does the Bulova Maquina 98A318 glow in the dark?

Yes—its hands and markers are luminous, which helps in low light.

8) What strap size does the Bulova 98A318 use?

It uses a bold 24mm lug width and comes on a durable blue HNBR strap.

9) Is the Bulova Maquina 98A318 good for everyday wear?

Yes. Sapphire crystal + 50m water resistance + a durable strap make it very wearable—just treat it like any mechanical watch (avoid extreme heat/water conditions).

10) Who is the Bulova Maquina 98A318 best for?

It’s perfect for someone who wants a watch that’s modern, mechanical, and different—a statement piece that still has practical specs for daily life.

The Bulova Maquina 98A318 is what you buy when you’re tired of safe designs. It’s bold without being messy, technical without being cold, and it delivers the best part of owning an automatic: that subtle thrill of wearing a living machine on your wrist.