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Bulova 97A175 Surveyor Automatic Brown Strap Watch - W09348
Ref. 97A175
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
The Surveyor line takes its cue from mid-century American dress watches — open enough to show the movement, restrained enough to wear with a collar. Here the Miyota 8N26, built by Citizen's movement subsidiary and well regarded for its dependability over years of daily use, is left exposed beneath a domed crystal that gives the case a distinctly vintage silhouette. The 42-hour power reserve means a weekend off the wrist does not cost you a reset on Monday morning. At 41mm with a case only 12.17mm deep, it sits flatter than most skeleton watches at this diameter, which tend to stack the movement's architecture into added thickness. The polished bezel and chamfers play against brushed flanks, and the silver chapter ring with rose gold-tone markers keeps the dial legible despite the open workings behind it. The brown leather strap and deployant clasp suit the dressed-down formality of the whole thing without pulling it toward either end of the smart-casual spectrum.
- Reference
- 97A175
- Brand
- Bulova
- Collection
- Surveyor
- Case size
- 41mm
- Case thickness
- 12.17mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Rose gold PVD
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Silver
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 8N26
- Functions
- Skeleton dial
- Water resistance
- 30m
- Bracelet / strap
- Leather strap
- Strap colour
- Brown
- Clasp
- Deployant clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- 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 7 collections
This watch appears in the Bulova Surveyor range (9), Back in Stock (3,547), Automatic Watches (1,871), Leather Strap Watches (1,172), Silver Dial Watches (803), Automatic Watches Under £500 (376) and Skeleton Watches (331).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
Bulova 97A175 Surveyor alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 97A175 | TAC00009N0 | 010-02665-00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £279 | £275 | £280 |
| Case size | 41mm | 40.5mm | 40.4mm |
| Water resistance | 30m | 30m | 50m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Leather strap | Leather strap | Silicone 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.
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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