In 1973 Bulova released a bizarre chronograph that earned a unique title and a cult status among collectors. The Bulova “Parking Meter” Chronograph was a large (for the time) bullhead design, meaning the pushers were at the top of the watch, like horns. Because of the movement inside, the caliber 12, the crown was on the opposite side at 6. A blue metal bezel connected them all with a strange shape, that was then pulled into the dial.

This is where the watch’s distinctive nickname was born. The blue frame on the dial that creates the sub-dials is reminiscent of the once ubiquitous mechanical parking meter. That was 50 years ago, but today the design remains equally as provocative. In honor of the anniversary, Bulova has brought the Parking Meter Chronograph back, but with some modern twists.

The 43mm lugless bullhead design remains very true to the original design, but there is now a crown at 12 as well as at 6 that is used to set the time and date. The crown at 6 controls a new function, an internal rotating 12-hour ring, giving the watch the ability to track a second timezone, or manually track elapsed hours. The distinctive “parking meter” frame is still on the dial, but the sub-dials now display the elapsed minutes and 24-hour time at 6 and 12, respectively.

Powering the Parking Meter Chronograph is the Miyota 0S21. A Japanese quartz caliber it features stopwatch functionality, 24-hour time telling, a date, as well as standard hour and minute. The watch comes mounted to a rugged brown leather strap with channeled padding by the lugs for an aggressive style.

The Bulova “Parking Meter” Chronograph is limited to 5,000 pieces worldwide.