Gear guide
Best Bulova automatic watches
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Bulova Archive MIL-SHIPS-W-2181, 200 m, sapphire
Anti-reflective double domed sapphire per the listing is the best crystal spec here.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most for the money on paper
Bulova Classic Aerojet 41mm, 40-hour reserve
The lowest price Bulova here at $247.30.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Most complete listing
Bulova Marine Star Series B 41mm, sapphire, 200 m
The listing states 200 m water resistance, a screw-down crown and a sapphire crystal.
See price on AmazonSee it on Amazon
Bulova's automatic range is mostly about design: open-heart and skeleton dials, sculpted Maquina cases, vintage Classic models and military reissues. The specs behind the looks vary a lot, so two Bulovas at similar prices can differ in water resistance from 30 m to 200 m, and in crystal from mineral to sapphire. Those two facts matter more than the dial if the watch will see daily wear. This guide compares eight Bulova automatics on the case size, movement, water resistance, crystal and dial each listing states. Most of these listings state a 3 year limited warranty. No Devil Diver automatic appeared among the listings available for this guide, so the Marine Star Series B fills the dive-watch slot.
Compare the picks
- Bulova Archive MIL-SHIPS-W-2181, 200 m, sapphire
- Case size
- Not stated
- Movement
- Automatic with hack feature
- Water resistance
- 200 m
- Crystal
- Anti-reflective double domed sapphire
Bulova Maquina 40mm, curved sapphire, bracelet- Case size
- 40 mm
- Movement
- Automatic
- Water resistance
- Not stated
- Crystal
- Curved sapphire
Bulova Sutton skeleton 43mm, 100 m, 42 hours- Case size
- 43 mm
- Movement
- 21-jewel automatic, 42 hours
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Bulova Marine Star Series B 41mm, sapphire, 200 m
- Case size
- 41 mm
- Movement
- Automatic, 42 hours
- Water resistance
- 200 m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Bulova Classic Aerojet 41mm, 40-hour reserve
- Case size
- 41 mm
- Movement
- Automatic with hack feature, 40 hours
- Water resistance
- 30 m
- Crystal
- Double curved mineral box
Bulova Classic Maquina skeleton, black IP, sapphire- Case size
- Not stated
- Movement
- Automatic
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Crystal
- Sapphire
Bulova Military A11 hack automatic, blue dial- Case size
- Not stated
- Movement
- Automatic with hack feature
- Water resistance
- 50 m
- Crystal
- Double domed mineral
Bulova Classic Surveyor 42mm, open aperture- Case size
- 42 mm
- Movement
- Automatic with hack feature
- Water resistance
- 30 m
- Crystal
- Mineral
| Pick | Case size | Movement | Water resistance | Crystal | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulova Archive MIL-SHIPS-W-2181, 200 m, sapphire | Not stated | Automatic with hack feature | 200 m | Anti-reflective double domed sapphire | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Maquina 40mm, curved sapphire, bracelet | 40 mm | Automatic | Not stated | Curved sapphire | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Sutton skeleton 43mm, 100 m, 42 hours | 43 mm | 21-jewel automatic, 42 hours | 100 m | Mineral | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Marine Star Series B 41mm, sapphire, 200 m | 41 mm | Automatic, 42 hours | 200 m | Sapphire | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Classic Aerojet 41mm, 40-hour reserve | 41 mm | Automatic with hack feature, 40 hours | 30 m | Double curved mineral box | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Classic Maquina skeleton, black IP, sapphire | Not stated | Automatic | 100 m | Sapphire | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Military A11 hack automatic, blue dial | Not stated | Automatic with hack feature | 50 m | Double domed mineral | - | Amazon |
| Bulova Classic Surveyor 42mm, open aperture | 42 mm | Automatic with hack feature | 30 m | Mineral | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · Bulova
Bulova Archive MIL-SHIPS-W-2181, 200 m, sapphire
See price on AmazonAn Archive Series reissue of a military dive prototype on a grey nylon strap. The listing states a hacking automatic, double domed AR sapphire and 200 m water resistance.
What the listing offers
- Anti-reflective double domed sapphire per the listing is the best crystal spec here.
- 200 m water resistance and a 3 year limited warranty are stated.
- The listing describes it as based on a never-launched military prototype.
Limits to know
- Case size is not stated on this listing.
- At $680 it is the priciest Bulova in this guide.
Pick 2 · Bulova
Bulova Maquina 40mm, curved sapphire, bracelet
See price on AmazonA 40 mm Maquina with a rose gold and silver-tone case, blue bezel and steel bracelet. The listing states a curved sapphire crystal and luminous hands and markers.
What the listing offers
- Curved sapphire crystal is stated on the listing.
- A 40 mm case per the listing is smaller than most Maquina designs.
- Push-button deployant clasp and luminous hands and markers are stated.
Limits to know
- Water resistance is not stated on this listing.
- The two-tone rose gold case is a bold look that will not suit every outfit.
Pick 3 · Bulova
Bulova Sutton skeleton 43mm, 100 m, 42 hours
See price on AmazonA 43 mm Classic Sutton with a full skeleton dial and two-tone steel case. The listing states a 21-jewel automatic, 42-hour reserve, luminous hands and 100 m water resistance.
What the listing offers
- A full skeleton dial per the listing shows the movement from the front.
- 100 m water resistance is stated, high for a skeleton dress watch.
- The listing states a 3 year limited warranty.
Limits to know
- Mineral crystal per the listing is less scratch resistant than sapphire.
- 43 mm is large for a dress watch and may wear big on slim wrists.
Pick 4 · Bulova
Bulova Marine Star Series B 41mm, sapphire, 200 m
See price on AmazonBulova's redesigned Marine Star in a 41 mm steel case with a unidirectional timing bezel, H-link bracelet and display case back. A good sport pick for buyers who want sapphire and a see-through back.
What the listing offers
- The listing states 200 m water resistance, a screw-down crown and a sapphire crystal.
- A case back crystal shows the automatic movement, which has 42 hours of power per the listing.
- The unidirectional bezel has a bi-color aluminum insert with a timing scale.
Limits to know
- Lug to lug length and thickness are not stated, so wrist fit is harder to judge.
- The listing does not name the movement caliber or say whether it hacks or hand-winds.
Pick 5 · Bulova
Bulova Classic Aerojet 41mm, 40-hour reserve
See price on AmazonA 41 mm Classic Aerojet with a gray open aperture dial and black croc-embossed leather strap. The listing states a hacking automatic with 40 hours and an exhibition case back.
What the listing offers
- The lowest price Bulova here at $247.30.
- Open aperture dial and exhibition case back per the listing show the movement front and back.
- The listing states a 40-hour reserve and a 3 year limited warranty.
Limits to know
- 30 m water resistance per the listing limits it to dress wear.
- Mineral box crystal per the listing rather than sapphire.
Pick 6 · Bulova
Bulova Classic Maquina skeleton, black IP, sapphire
See price on AmazonA Classic Maquina with a full skeleton dial and black ion-plated steel case. The listing states sapphire crystal, 100 m water resistance and a 3 year limited warranty.
What the listing offers
- Sapphire crystal and 100 m are both stated, rare for a skeleton design.
- A full skeleton dial per the listing gives a strong mechanical look.
- The listing states a 3 year limited warranty.
Limits to know
- Case size is not stated on this listing.
- Black ion plating can show wear at edges. The listing does not describe durability.
Pick 7 · Bulova
Bulova Military A11 hack automatic, blue dial
See price on AmazonA Military Collection A11 with a blue dial on a brown leather strap. The listing states a hacking automatic, double domed mineral crystal and 50 m water resistance.
What the listing offers
- Hacking seconds are stated for exact time setting.
- A double domed crystal per the listing gives a vintage military look.
- The listing states a 3 year limited warranty.
Limits to know
- Case size and power reserve are not stated on the listing.
- Mineral crystal per the listing scratches more easily than sapphire.
Pick 8 · Bulova
Bulova Classic Surveyor 42mm, open aperture
See price on AmazonA vintage-inspired classic with an open aperture dial, hack feature and screw-back case in 42 mm steel. It suits a buyer who wants a dressier automatic and a larger case.
What the listing offers
- The listing names a hack feature, so the seconds hand stops for precise setting.
- An open aperture dial shows part of the movement from the front.
- A 3 year limited warranty is stated on the listing.
Limits to know
- Only 30 m water resistance per the listing, so avoid swimming.
- Mineral crystal and a 42 mm case with no stated lug to lug make it the least clear fit here.
Read before you buy
More gear: Brand lineups
Lume & Bezel chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.