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Bulova 98A315 Gold Tone Chronograph Bracelet Watch - W09346
Ref. 98A315
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Stepping up in Bulova's range
A chronograph case with crown guards and a rotating dive bezel normally signals a purpose-built tool watch, but Bulova has dressed this one in polished gold PVD throughout — case, bracelet, and all three links — so the sporting architecture sits under a deliberately dressy surface. The unidirectional bezel reads as a functional element first and an ornamental one second, which gives the watch a slightly unusual character: it means business in its layout but announces itself in its finish. The champagne dial is multi-layered, so the sub-dials sit at a slightly different depth to the main surface and catch angled light differently, giving the face more complexity than a flat print. Crown guards that size add a bit of visual bulk to the right flank, but they also mean the pushers and crown are properly protected if the watch takes a knock. The Miyota quartz movement inside is a sensible choice — consistently accurate, undemanding to own, and the reason Bulova can use it across a range that sees real daily wear.
- Reference
- 98A315
- Brand
- Bulova
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case thickness
- 13mm
- Lug width
- 20mm
- Case material
- Gold PVD
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Champagne
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Bezel
- Unidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Quartz
- Functions
- Chronograph, Small seconds
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Stainless steel bracelet
- Strap colour
- Gold
- 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 3 collections
This watch appears in Chronograph Watches (1,232), Gold Watches (646) and Champagne & Cream Dial Watches (164).
Manufacturer’s guarantee
What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Sits in the lower half of Bulova's range as we list it
Compare alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 98A315 | R8873618006 | AR11398 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £170 | £169 | £169 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Quartz | Quartz | Quartz |
| Strap | Stainless steel bracelet | Mesh 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?
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 new, at £170. 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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