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Bulova 96A292 Surveyor Automatic Skeleton Bracelet Watch - W09312
Ref. 96A292
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
The Surveyor line sits in Bulova's catalogue as its modern argument for mechanical transparency — a skeleton treatment that earns its opening by using a movement actually built for the format. Miyota's 8N26 belongs to the dedicated skeletonised 8N family rather than being an ordinary calibre with its dial removed, so the gear train and balance wheel read as architecture rather than exposure for its own sake. The blue chapter ring that frames the movement gives the dial strong contrast without competing with the mechanics, and the domed crystal adds a sense of depth to the openwork that a flat lens would not. At 12.17mm the case wears closer to the wrist than most skeletons, which tend to stack height in the name of drama. The exhibition caseback repeats the view from below, where the rotor sweep is easier to follow than through the dial. The bracelet integrates tightly at the lugs, and the deployant clasp sits flush against the wrist, though resizing requires a tool rather than a push-button adjustment — worth knowing before buying if the bracelet needs to move between wrists.
- Reference
- 96A292
- Brand
- Bulova
- Collection
- Surveyor
- Case size
- 41mm
- Case thickness
- 12mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Blue
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 8N26
- Functions
- Skeleton dial
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 42 hours
- Origin
- Made in Japan
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 7 collections
This watch appears in the Bulova Surveyor range (12), Back in Stock (4,792), Stainless Steel Watches (3,164), Automatic Watches (1,693), Blue Dial Watches (872), Automatic Watches Under £500 (359) and Skeleton Watches (306).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
Bulova 96A292 Surveyor alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 96A292 | MTTS1F501 | 1645B25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £399 | £400 | £405 |
| Case size | 41mm | 41mm | 41mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| Power reserve | 42 hours | — | — |
| This watch | Closely matched | Closely matched |
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
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.
What size strap does it take?
20mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
F.Hinds is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
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