Some watches whisper. The Bulova Racer 98B432 doesn’t. It’s a chronograph that leans into Bulova’s motorsport DNA—bold color, high legibility, and a timing-bezel attitude that feels pulled straight from pit lane. Bulova even frames the Racer line as built on its history in motorsport, tuned and designed for performance. 

What makes the 98B432 special is the way it balances fun and function: a light-blue dial, orange accents, a tachymeter bezel, and a spec sheet that’s refreshingly practical—anti-reflective sapphire crystal and 100m water resistance

Bulova 98B432 specs 

Model: Bulova Racer 98B432 

Movement: Bulova 0S21 quartz (battery-powered; Bulova notes accuracy to about 15 seconds/month) 

Case: 42mm silver-tone stainless steel 

Bezel: Aluminum bezel (tachymeter style) 

Crystal: Anti-reflective sapphire crystal 

Water resistance: WR100 / 10 bar / 333 ft (Bulova lists “Swimming, Marine Sports”) 

Dial: Light blue with orange and silver-tone accents; luminous hands/markers 

Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet with deployant clasp + push buttons 

Lug width: 22mm 

Quick note: You may see some retailers list different case sizes. For accuracy, I’m using Bulova’s official specs, which list 42mm.

Dial & Design: Why the Ice Blue + Orange Combo Works

Let’s be honest: most people buy the 98B432 because it looks fantastic.

The dial color is the star—an ice/light blue that feels modern, sporty, and clean. It isn’t trying to look vintage or “dressy.” It’s aiming for high-energy performance, and the orange accents deliver that racing vibe without turning the whole thing into a cartoon.

What makes it wearable (not just flashy)

Contrast is strong: hands and markers pop against the light dial.

Lume matters: luminous hands/markers keep it readable after dark.

Chronograph layout feels intentional: it looks like an instrument, not decoration.

This is the kind of dial that gets noticed across a table—because the color is confident, not because it’s oversized or overly branded.

Tachymeter Bezel: The “Racer” Signature

A tachymeter scale is a classic motorsport detail. In real-world terms, it’s used with the chronograph to estimate speed over a known distance (like timing a mile or kilometer).

Even if you never use it, the tachymeter bezel gives the watch a “ready to time something” character—like a dashboard gauge you can wear.

Sapphire Crystal + Anti-Reflective Coating: A Big Value Point

This is one of the most important “good points” of the Bulova Racer 98B432.

Many watches in the sporty/fashion-chronograph space still use mineral crystal, which can pick up scratches faster. The 98B432 brings sapphire, and it’s anti-reflective, which improves legibility in bright light.

If you actually wear your watches (and don’t want to baby them), sapphire is a serious upgrade.

100m Water Resistance: Daily-Ready, Vacation-Ready

The 100m water resistance rating makes this a true daily driver.

That means it’s far more than “splash-proof.” You can wear it confidently through:

rain and snow

hand washing and day-to-day water exposure

poolside weekends and summer travel

It’s the kind of rating that lets you enjoy the watch instead of worrying about it.

Movement: Why Quartz Makes Sense for This Watch

The Bulova 0S21 is a quartz chronograph, and for this category, that’s a win.

Quartz advantages here

Reliable grab-and-go timekeeping

Chronograph function stays convenient, not expensive or maintenance-heavy

Great for people who rotate watches and don’t want to reset time constantly

If you want the look and function of a chronograph with maximum practicality, quartz is the smart choice.

Bracelet & Comfort: Sporty, Secure, and Easy to Size

The stainless-steel bracelet gives the 98B432 a clean, modern profile and helps the ice-blue dial feel even brighter on wrist. The deployant clasp with push buttons adds security and makes it feel more premium in daily use.

Also, with a 22mm lug width, you’ve got tons of options if you ever want to swap:

rally/racing leather straps

rubber for summer

nylon for casual wear

The Best “Good Points” of the Bulova Racer 98B432

Here’s what this model does exceptionally well:

1. Ice-blue dial + orange accents that look fast even standing still

2. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal for real-world durability and visibility

3. 100m water resistance for stress-free everyday wear

4. Quartz chronograph reliability (practical, accurate, low-fuss)

5. Luminous hands and markers for night readability

6. 42mm case with strong wrist presence (without going extreme)

7. Tachymeter bezel that adds authentic racing attitude

8. Bracelet + secure clasp that feels solid on wrist

Q&A Bulova Racer 98B432

1) Is the Bulova Racer 98B432 an automatic watch?

No—this model uses a quartz chronograph movement (battery-powered).

2) What size is the Bulova 98B432?

The Bulova Racer 98B432 has a 42mm case.

3) Does the Bulova 98B432 have sapphire crystal?

Yes—this model uses an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, which is more scratch-resistant than mineral glass.

4) Is the Bulova 98B432 water resistant?

Yes—it's rated to 100 meters (10 bar), making it suitable for everyday water exposure and swimming.

5) What does the tachymeter bezel do?

A tachymeter is used with the chronograph to estimate speed over a known distance (for example, timing a mile or kilometer).

6) Does the Bulova 98B432 glow in the dark?

Yes—its hands and markers are luminous for low-light visibility.

7) What is the lug width on the Bulova Racer 98B432?

It uses a 22mm lug width, which makes strap swaps very easy.

8) Is the Bulova Racer 98B432 a good everyday watch?

Yes—between sapphire, 100m water resistance, and quartz reliability, it’s built to be worn often.

9) Does the Bulova 98B432 have a date?

Yes—this model includes a calendar/date function.

10) What style of watch is the Bulova Racer 98B432?

It’s a sport chronograph with clear motorsport-inspired design cues (tachymeter styling, racing accents, and a performance-forward dial layout).