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Bulova 96A243 Classic Automatic Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch - W09269
Ref. 96A243
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
Bulova's Classic range sits at the more accessible end of the brand's automatic line, and the 96A243 makes a clear argument for the category: a 21-jewel self-winding movement presented from both sides, with a cut-out on the dial face showing the balance wheel in motion and a display caseback that opens the full movement to view. The watch earns its "skeleton" designation twice over, which is unusual at this level. The all-silver palette — dial, hands, indices, case and bracelet running as a single unbroken tone — means the movement aperture does most of the visual work. In flat light the dial reads as restrained; at an angle the oscillating balance wheel draws the eye immediately. At 40mm it fits a broad range of wrists without demanding attention, and the deployant clasp makes daily on and off straightforward. The 42-hour power reserve is comfortable for daily wear, though anyone who leaves it on the nightstand over a weekend will need to give it a wind before putting it back on.
- Reference
- 96A243
- Brand
- Bulova
- Case size
- 40mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Silver
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Bezel
- Rotating
- Movement
- Automatic
- Functions
- Skeleton dial
- Water resistance
- 30m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 42 hours
Learn more about Bulova
Joseph Bulova, a Bohemian immigrant, opened a jewellery shop on Maiden Lane in New York in 1875 and moved into watch manufacturing in the early twentieth century, building a plant in Sag Harbor and later a substantial operation in Queens.
Bulova's instinct for firsts was commercial as much as technical. It ran the first national advertisement for a watch brand in 1926, broadcast the first radio commercial in American history — a time announcement — in 1926, and aired the first television commercial ever broadcast in 1941, paying nine dollars for the slot.
The engineering came too. The Accutron of 1960 replaced the balance wheel with a tuning fork vibrating at 360 Hz, driven electronically. It was accurate to within a minute a month, far beyond mechanical watches, and it hummed rather than ticked. NASA used Accutron timing mechanisms in spacecraft, and one was left on the Moon in the equipment package of Apollo 11.
Bulova also made an enormous contribution to American war production, supplying military timing devices, and founded a school of watchmaking for disabled veterans.
The company was acquired by Citizen in 2008. Modern collections include the Precisionist, with a high-frequency quartz movement producing a smooth sweeping seconds hand, and reissues of the Accutron and the 1970s Computron.
- 1875
- Joseph Bulova opens his New York shop.
- 1941
- Airs the first television commercial in history.
- 1960
- The Accutron tuning fork movement is released.
- 1969
- An Accutron timer is left on the Moon by Apollo 11.
- 2008
- Acquired by Citizen.
Also in 6 collections
This watch appears in Back in Stock (3,714), Stainless Steel Watches (2,629), Automatic Watches (1,627), Silver Dial Watches (572), Skeleton Watches (260) and Automatic Watches Under £500 (252).
Temporarily out of stock
F.Hinds is not currently taking orders for this reference. Last listed as available on 30 September 2026. Stock is checked nightly and this page updates when it returns.
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 40mm suits most wrists
- Sits in the lower half of Bulova's range as we list it
Worth knowing
- 30m means keeping it away from water
Bulova 96A243 Classic alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 96A243 | RGB10011/24 | TW2W68800 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £199 | £209 | £225 |
| Case size | 40mm | 40mm | 40mm |
| Water resistance | 30m | 50m | 50m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 42 hours | 42 hours | 40 hours |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
No. At 30m it will survive rain and handwashing, but not submersion of any kind.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
It can, over time. Mineral glass handles daily wear but will pick up fine scratches that sapphire would not.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 42 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
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