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Bulova 98A245 Classic Chronograph Bracelet Watch - W09169
Ref. 98A245
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
The blue-and-yellow dial and rotating bezel place this squarely in the diver-style chronograph tradition — a combination that reads immediately and has real visual weight on the wrist. What keeps it wearable despite the 44mm diameter is the 49mm lug-to-lug, which is short enough that the case sits back rather than bridging across the wrist; on a medium or larger hand it carries the size without effort. The Miyota 2036 is a Japanese quartz chronograph calibre that ticks at a conventional frequency, so the seconds hand moves in discrete steps rather than the sweeping motion found in some Bulova lines. That is the trade-off against a movement that is accurate, low-maintenance and well-proved. At 164 grams on the bracelet, it has an appreciable presence — this is not a watch that disappears under a cuff.
- Reference
- 98A245
- Brand
- Bulova
- Case size
- 44mm
- Case thickness
- 11mm
- Lug width
- 22mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Blue
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Bezel
- Unidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Quartz
- Calibre
- Miyota 2036
- Functions
- Chronograph
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Silver
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- F.Hinds
Additional specifications
- Lug-to-lug
- 49mm
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 4 collections
This watch appears in Stainless Steel Watches (3,032), Chronograph Watches (1,258), Watches 44mm and Over (946) and Blue Dial Watches (812).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- 49mm lug-to-lug keeps the 44mm case wearable
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
Worth knowing
- 44mm sits at the larger end
Compare alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 98A245 | AX2611 | MK8580 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £185 | £185 | £189 |
| Case size | 44mm | 44mm | 44mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet | 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?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
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?
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 £185. 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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