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Bulova 97A131 Automatic Gold Tone Bracelet Watch - W09304
Ref. 97A131
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
The Classic range is where Bulova keeps its dressed-down automatics — uncomplicated in purpose, built around the movement rather than around a complication. This one makes that visible: a cutaway at 7 o'clock reveals the balance wheel in motion, and the exhibition caseback opens the rest of the movement to view. The Miyota 8N26 inside is a Citizen-made calibre, which means it shares its DNA with one of the largest and most practiced movement manufacturers in Japan — robust, low-maintenance, and built to run for years without much attention. At 42mm across and only 11mm deep, it sits closer to the wrist than most automatics at this diameter, and the 22mm lugs give the bracelet enough width to anchor it without bulk. The midnight blue dial against the gold PVD case is a pairing that reads well in low light, and the open-heart window adds movement — literally — to what would otherwise be a straightforward dress watch face. At 160 grams, the bracelet has presence on the wrist without feeling heavy. Link removal is by pin, and the dual push-button deployant makes daily fastening genuinely secure.
- Reference
- 97A131
- Brand
- Bulova
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case thickness
- 11mm
- Lug width
- 22mm
- Case material
- Gold PVD
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Blue
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 8N26
- Functions
- Skeleton dial
- Water resistance
- 30m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Gold
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 49mm
- 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 5 collections
This watch appears in Automatic Watches (1,393), Blue Dial Watches (829), Gold Watches (692), Automatic Watches Under £500 (316) and Skeleton Watches (234).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 49mm lug-to-lug keeps the 42mm case wearable
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Worth knowing
- 30m means keeping it away from water
Compare alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 97A131 | RA-AC0P03L30B | R8821108022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £199 | £199 | £219 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 30m | 30m | 50m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Leather strap | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 42 hours | 40 hours | — |
| This watch | Closely matched |
|
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.
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?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
How 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?
22mm. 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.
Will it fit my wrist?
Lug-to-lug is 49mm, which suits wrists from roughly 16.5cm (6½ inches) upward.
Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.
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 new, at £199. 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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