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Bulova 96R246 Surveyor Diamond Bracelet Watch - W83220
Ref. 96R246
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
The Surveyor collection sits in the part of Bulova's range where the geometry does the work: here that means a cushion-shaped case rather than the round or rectangular forms that dominate this kind of dress watch, and the distinction is a quiet one that reads more clearly in person than in photographs. Twenty-two hand-set diamonds run the full circuit of the fixed bezel, framing a blue mother-of-pearl dial that shifts between grey and vivid blue depending on the angle of the light. The baton indices stay minimal enough to let that surface breathe, and the date sits at six o'clock rather than the usual three, which keeps the dial symmetrical from a distance. At 31mm it is sized for a narrower wrist without feeling slight, and at 96 grams the integrated three-link bracelet has enough presence on the wrist to feel considered rather than incidental. The deployant clasp folds away beneath the links so the bracelet reads as a continuous band from above — a detail that matters more than it sounds when the rest of the watch is doing its best to look seamless.
- Reference
- 96R246
- Brand
- Bulova
- Case size
- 31mm
- Case thickness
- 8.6mm
- Lug width
- 19mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Cushion
- Dial
- Mother-of-pearl
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Bezel
- Fixed
- Movement
- Quartz
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 50m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
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 5 collections
This watch appears in Stainless Steel Watches (3,082), Watches Under 37mm (1,682), Women's Watches (1,602), Tonneau & Cushion Watches (166) and Diamond Watches (103).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 31mm wears small and slips under any cuff
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Worth knowing
- 50m suits rain and handwashing, not swimming
Compare alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 96R246 | VV006RSBK | MK4840 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £209 | £215 | £199 |
| Case size | 31mm | 32mm | 30mm |
| Water resistance | 50m | 50m | 50m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Stainless steel bracelet |
| 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?
Showering yes, swimming no. 50m covers splashes and brief immersion, but a swimming stroke generates well above the pressure that figure describes.
Will the glass scratch?
It can, over time. Mineral glass handles daily wear but will pick up fine scratches that sapphire would not.
Does it need a battery?
Yes. It is quartz, so expect a battery change every two to three years at a jeweller.
What size strap does it take?
19mm. 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 women's.
Cheapest place to buy
F.Hinds is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference new, at £209. There is nothing to compare it against today.
Who are F.Hinds?
F.Hinds has been run by the same family since 1856 and is now in its fifth generation, with more than 115 shops across England and Wales. They are a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and an Authorised Diamond Dealer.
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