Bulova 38mm Automatic Field Watch Review 96A246

One of my viewers, (Tony) from the Blue Mountains sent me in this Brand New Bulova automatic field watch to have a look at.
An interesting piece that could easily fit into anyones watch collection comfortably
I hope you enjoy the review
Thanks for watching,
cheers
Peter
#watchreview #bulova #watch -buying

[@CanadianBeachcomber]

I wasn’t aware of Bulova’s history of supplying military watches. It certainly is different from other Bulova designs and looks similar to my Hamilton field watch. Thank you and Tony for featuring this.

[@PeterKotsa]

My pleasure Chris, cheers!!

[@robertbeirne9813]

Bulova was the only company that put their logo on the dial of the mil spec watches. Hamilton, Benrus, Elgin, all had sterile dials. I don’t know why.

[@nlego5153]

I just received the all black (vwi) and must admit that I was a bit nervous about the 38mm/13.5mm on my 7in wrist being used to 34-38mm vintages... this watch is spectacular. The looks and fit are better than the khaki, in my opinion. I'm considering buying the white dial too now, since the price is stupidly low.

[@alexbizz]

I just purchased a Bulova Accutron (Tuning Fork) from 1967. It is due to arrive here in Melbourne next week. I think Bulova is an incredible brand with an amazing history.

[@PeterKotsa]

1967..well done, my birth year..enjoy it!!

[@alextomlinson1725]

Functional, simple, affordable and very tempting. Usual high quality review. Thanks Peter.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks Alex, cheers 👍👍

[@edwardgreenaway1808]

Great looking watch. 18mm is about perfect for 38mm. Great review

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks Ed, cheers

[@megasoid]

Beautiful watch. Love the strap and the overall utilitarian aspect of this piece. Thank you.

[@AuggieG]

I bought the VWI edition recently. I love the case dimensions and vintage feel. This came on a fabric strap and I replaced it with a brown leather strap from Ritche.

[@IBoughtAWatch]

Lovely looking piece really love the look of this one! Definitely added to the never ending watch shopping list haha. Great video mate keep it up 🤙🏻

[@PeterKotsa]

Cheers, yeah it is a good looking piece..

[@AlexanderB.]

Hi Pete! This is lovely watch with a very cohesive design overall (case, dial, hands, strap). I think if Bulova had chosen 20 mm lug width with this small case diameter, the proportions would be wrong. But the watch deserves better than a mineral crystal. Cheers, mate.

[@PeterKotsa]

Totally agree proportions are perfect with this strap. Sapphire also would have elevated it..as long as it retained its look.. cheers

[@davemck1887]

Yep , bang on Alexander.I totally agree, the difference of only 1mm can totally throw a watch off. I wonder how much more a DD sapphire crystal would add to the cost ? Like you say, it would definitely benefit from it.

[@henriettechu887]

I took my dad to Arromanches, 1993. The museum had a combat engineer's 32 mm watch with 16 mm flattened coil spring bracelet. My friend at K of C waited 8 hours inn a crater for live combat engineers to blow the double seawall. It looked just like this ivory Bulova.

[@charlesgraham9954]

the watch is worth getting. u can dress it up or down with different band selections. i love the dome, wish the Hamilton Khaki did the same.

[@kahmed7328]

Beautiful! I have two of these and love them. Amazing for the price.

[@PeterKotsa]

Totally agree!

[@reynaldoflores4522]

Im happy to say I have both this watch ( olive-green strap with black dial version) and the Hamilton Khaki Automatic. They're fine watches. Not as pricey as Rolex and Omega, but definitely better than Timex.

[@abel2cycle989]

The leather strap is phenomenal! I really don't like factory straps. But this strap is soft and light. I'm in no hurry to replace this black leather strap. I just got my 96a246 today 👌 I do feel the dial is a little cartoonish, but I've already got 2 compliments on the watch😁 so. Great video sir!👍

[@mpgingdl]

Definitely an attractive watch, but I'm not too keen on anything with a Miyota movement. I purchased a watch with a Miyota movement (not a Bulova) a couple of years ago. After several good months, it went neurotic on me and defied all attempts to fix. I finally replaced it 2 months ago with a Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical--now THAT is a watch!

[@whodeycinbengals]

These Hacks have tempted me for so long now, but in the end, I always end up choosing a Hammy field instead. Although I still may add the Vietnam Hack or the blue dialed Hack at some point to pair with my white Khaki Mechanical. I will say that if these Hacks had a Sapphire crystal, then I’d probably already own one.

[@wescobts]

Peter, you did this fine a real justice. I really like it, and the band is lovely. As always, well done.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thank you

[@GODSPEEDseven]

@Peter Kotska I'm glad you took a look at this one. It's been on the top of my wishlist for some time now. I've been looking at the model that comes with a gunmetal case finish, black dial, green leather "nato", red 24 hour markings and polished/lumed hands. I don't have any white or off-white dials. I have to admit, now that I've seen this one, my choice is just made harder! 👍 I wish the cream dial had the dark green strap instead of the black. Thanks Peter, you've quickly become one of my favourite watch channels. I enjoy the unbiased and honest perspective.

[@PeterKotsa]

I appreciate the feedback, and yes its not a bad offering this little watch. You can do much worse at similar price points :)

[@Andrew.W75]

I've owned the black dialed Ion coated version & it didn't look great in person, I would go for the white dialed one Peter has reviewed, cheers

[@GODSPEEDseven]

@@Andrew.W75 Thank you for the input, it is very much appreciated. I really like this cream dial..

[@Andrew.W75]

@@GODSPEEDseven You're welcome!

[@leonardohunter1636]

Thanks for video, is a good job. Greetings Leonardo from Chile 🇨🇱

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks for watching! Greetings form Melbourne

[@canonyeo4286]

Looks good on your wrist, Peter. Very nice size. I don't mind the high glass. Measuring the thickness of watches together with the glass is misleading. Some watches are better with dome glass.

[@PeterKotsa]

Correct, I too like the high dome crystals as they wear much lower and smaller than the true size suggests..cheers

[@lucacadianalbert]

I love this style of watch but the wide Vario band looks a bit off (eg. too wide for this watch). I've been on a field/military watch kick lately like Hamilton Khaki Field and I have a Dagaz CAV-1 2.2 that I absolutely love.

[@PeterKotsa]

I agree, that strap is off..I think Tony was looking for some 18mm tan leather for it. Hamilton and Dagaz, good stuff...enjoy them

[@lucacadianalbert]

Malachy I have my Hamilton’s on The Watch Steward straps and it’s perfect. But the smallest size they make is 19 mm which could probably still fit the Bulova

[@swiss86watches]

Love this review great watch !

[@Mrworlwad]

Your voice is soothing and your intro is oddly satisfying? I came for the watch review and now I’m excited to be subscribed to your channel.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks Michael welcome 🙏

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Lovely watch! This or a hamilton khaki field is the question?

[@PeterKotsa]

Both! lol... You're right though, a difficult decision as this is a pretty good looking watch as well as the Hamilton.

[@tylerrohn6938]

Hamilton 50 > 30m wr

[@Andrew.W75]

I've owned both & the Hamilton Khaki Field (Mechanical or Automatic) are a better watch in almost all respects in my opinion, apart from price.

[@hoihoi12250]

@@PeterKotsa I have the hamilton khaki field, and 38mm plus those long lugs and big crown leaves a lot to be desired

[@anthonysmith2982]

Hey Peter. This is a cracking little watch! I didn't know that they existed. Are they a recent release? That cream dial and the Cathedral hands are beautiful. I like the look of that leather nato too. I have a similar boxed dome mineral crystal on a Strela Chronograph, yeah - It's not sapphire, but the distortions are insane and I've managed to keep the dial scratch free so far... I have the Hamilton version of this piece, which is all over YT. It's great to see a viable alternative from another great brand. Cheers mate. Anthony.

[@PeterKotsa]

G'day Anthony, yes it is a current release. It looks great on the hand. A nice size and great look. cheers buddy

[@JamesBond-rv1kk]

Finally a 38mm automatic field watch.

[@valentinonoah8302]

i know Im kinda randomly asking but do anybody know a good website to watch newly released tv shows online ?

[@dominictitan2099]

@Valentino Noah i would suggest Flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@nicolasleroy9190]

@Dominic Titan yup, have been watching on Instaflixxer for since april myself =)

[@davemck1887]

Great review mate. Cheers Peter and cheers Tony. Love the watch, like you say very Seiko. I'd like a little more water resistance, but yeah, it's a beauty.

[@PeterKotsa]

Cheers Dave, if this had a screw down crown and 150m or so, it would be a steal....Even so, I think it looks great !!

[@davemck1887]

@@PeterKotsa This really could be a piece I need to own. The more I look at it the more I'm seeing. It's almost as if Seiko and Hamilton got together behind the bike sheds for a bit of fun and ended up producing this. I'm smitten.

[@PeterKotsa]

@@davemck1887 hahaha, nicely said

[@cowboyswami2017]

Great Review! Just picked one up thanks

[@PeterKotsa]

Excellent, I am sure you will enjoy it Cheers

[@stavros_katsopr]

I LOVE this (kind/colour/size) watch. It's plain as should be, got a lovely "creamy" dial, decent lume and hacks. That last part, plus the mineral crystal (sorry m8, should be so...) makes it a FIELD watch, my olive fields for sure 😂 . As for the stap size, i'd say it's fine proportinally, imo, and would accept a string or even a cord if needed 😉! I'd add a blue strap on this watch (light or dark won't matter) or a maroon to realy make it shine. Price is tad high, but wtf(un). Small minus, seconds hand is not lumed but the only BIG minus is it's water resistance, makes it a NO buy for me. Cheers mate.

[@PeterKotsa]

Price could be a tad cheaper I think as well, but it does look good.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

As always good review 👍 I like the watch !

[@PeterKotsa]

Glad you enjoyed it, cheers

[@TheVonStalhein]

My first look at one of your reviews Peter, refreshing positivity and love your enthusiasm with the pros & cons. Geez that sounded sucky! Look, I enjoyed it and keep doing them ok?

[@PeterKotsa]

Haha, thanks for sharing 😂🙏

[@TheVonStalhein]

@@PeterKotsa hey late n00b question without notice - would it be possible to replace that glass with sapphire? I presume it’s a standard size so could be done? Thanks!

[@PeterKotsa]

@@TheVonStalhein I don't see any reason why not cheers

[@Spit87]

Really wish they could have got this a little thinner. Even if it meant going handwinding

[@thetruth495]

Great watch even without the sapphire crystal.

[@Andrew.W75]

Great review as usual Peter! When the lockdown first happened I bought the black dialed Ion coated version of this to cheer myself up. Unfortunately I found the case colour to be an issue, in person it was a grey green colour & quite shiny, nothing like the parkerised finished these would have had back in the day. Ended up sending the watch back. I think the white dialed version is deffinately the better of the two. The other point to consider is that you can get a good pre owned Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical for around the same money & that is a better watch in my opinion.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks for sharing Andrew. A preowned Hamilton is for sure a great comparison here.👍👍

[@Andrew.W75]

@@PeterKotsa cheers Peter, what time is it where you are, must be quite early in the morning?

[@PeterKotsa]

@@Andrew.W75 about 8:45am in the morning

[@Andrew.W75]

@@PeterKotsa Thanks for letting me know & for replying at such an early hour! 👍

[@johnmcdonagh1607]

Great review, thanks Peter 👍.

[@PeterKotsa]

Very welcome John, cheers

[@andrewd7586]

Peter I hate to burst your bubble re the price, but I bought one of these several months ago for ONLY $271A! It is a beautiful reproduction of a WW2 military watch. I have a good collection of WW1 trench, WW2 & Vietnam war watches. I didn’t hesitate when I saw how period correct this one was. As for the original strap, I would not swap it out! Again it’s in keeping with the era. I have several vintage Bulova’s & this is a great edition. A great review again mate of another quality watch.👍🏼

[@PeterKotsa]

No bubble burst Andrew, you got a great deal my friend well done!!. I agree it is a lovely piece. I not know what Tony will do re the strap, I actually liked the black leather nato..looked and felt great !! cheers

[@andrewd7586]

Peter Kotsa It was River Edge Jewelers in the US. Actually through eBay 🤫😉

[@PeterKotsa]

@@andrewd7586 still a great deal..well done !!

[@VersedNJ]

@@andrewd7586 From New Jersey?

[@andrewd7586]

Michael Paris Yep! It was several months ago...

[@tunokies]

Nice review Peter. Quite a nice entry level watch.

[@PeterKotsa]

Thanks Jason, its not bad as an entry, it's a good daily watch:)

[@zelphx]

If I wasn't already wearing a Hamilton Khaki Auto, I'd probably consider this as well. Seems a BIT pricey... but I expect it to settle into a "sweet spot", price-wise.

[@TedDaviesArtistry]

Simple and sweet. Very cool

[@PeterKotsa]

Easy to read, easy to wear👍

[@autostereoptic]

It would have been great if it had an acrylic crystal to complete the vintage vibe.

[@PeterKotsa]

You're probably right but even with the domed mineral glass it does the dial justice..looks great in the flesh..cheers

[@2791dles]

It's very cheap an easy to drop acrylic domes into a watch. I've had my watchmaker do it to both of my Hamilton Khakis. $30 and 40 minutes wait. Done

[@dustycups]

@@2791dles I've been thinking about getting that done to my Khaki. Is yours the 38mm field mechanical?

[@2791dles]

@@dustycups yeah the 38mm mechanical and 38mm auto

[@karlsenula9495]

Definitely reminds me of the Hamilton Khaki Field .. love the Vario strap.

[@PeterKotsa]

Yes a few have said that..similar "look"

[@saairgunner5925]

Nice watch, but too expensive for the Miyota 8000-series movement, mineral crystal and only 30 m WR. You can get better watches with in-house movement for less than half the price of the Bulova from Seiko and Orient.

[@PeterKotsa]

I know there are better value watches that offer more, i just think this has a lovely look and vintage aesthetic and feel about it. But value wise, well probably beautify is in the eye of the beholder, personally I like it..:) cheers

[@reynaldoflores4522]

The price is higher than Seiko or Orient because you're paying for the " Bulova " trademark. Seiko and Orient are just as good as Bulova but they just don't have that snob factor of Swiss-name brands.😊

[@KarenLopez-vk3ny]

I tried setting the time counter clockwise and the second hand jumped considerably. Is that normal for that movement?

[@PeterKotsa]

Not sure, never tried that myself

[@JeeGee114]

It would have to compete with my Air man 1, SNK and Sarb035. Luckily it has no sapphire so I don't have to buy it. Tempted because they were used bij the 82 Airborne during the operation Market Garden and the liberation of my city. 🇺🇲.

[@tjfish9683]

Its an attractive watch and I've found myself tempted. You can find these on sale sometimes for under $250 USD. And for that it is a reasonable deal if you like the looks. But with mineral glass, limited lume, and a basic movement it is no bargain, especially at retail. If it weren't for its brand name and WWII heritage I don't think I would consider it all. And 30 mm water resistance is a deal breaker for a field watch.

[@yiny5107]

may i know if the lume long lasting and bright?

[@PeterKotsa]

Not really, it’s relatively dim but legible and lasts around 1 minute or so before it’s faded Cheers

[@iancarnell5020]

Great review but a field watch needs to be at least 50 meters waterproof. 30 metres doesn't hack it pardon the pun.

[@PeterKotsa]

You are right Thanks for sharing that 👍

[@DavidDatura]

It’s okay, but I still would prefer a Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical, even if it’s more expensive. Seiko have also recently released new Alpinist’s in 38mm too without the internal rotating compass bezel and with new matte degradé dials. They’re very nice.

[@PeterKotsa]

Hi David, I have seen the new Seiko and I must say i do like its' look. I am not sure its in the same price category though. But definitely a good look watch, cheers 👍

[@SamYuri]

Pretty cool watch

[@PeterKotsa]

Cheers, I think so too:)

[@omarbustos4672]

How much is it , in USA

[@robinscottmarsh846]

Where is it made? China?

[@andrewd7586]

ON SALE!!! Jomashop has these on sale now for only $306A or $219US!!!! BARGAIN!!! No I don’t work for Jomashop, it’s just a great watch especially at this price!!!

[@jontpt]

Nice review, but let's face it - mineral glass, no screw-down crown, entry level Miyota movement, cheaply printed dial. etc. You're paying an extra $100 for the Bulova name, which, sadly, ain't what it used to be. Better values are available...

[@PeterKotsa]

Yes you're right, but I think even with this watches shot falls, it looks really nice and has a particular 'feel' about it..especially in the flesh. Thanks for sharing Jon, cheers 👍

[@toddjohnson5506]

@@PeterKotsa I love the watch. Look around you can find it at a good price.

[@devilgames2217]

They should make it thinner, add sapphire glass, get ridd of the #3 and add a date window, better lumens, better water resistance, movement and it'll kill the hamilton.

[@StandAloneState]

It’s a great watch if you can find it for the right price.

[@jontpt]

@@StandAloneState At $75 I'm all in!

[@n00dyl69]

nice review

[@PeterKotsa]

Cheers 👍

[@karlsenula9495]

Nice field watch but If I am going with a Bulova in my collection it will most l Iikely be a Lunar Pilot or Curv.

[@PeterKotsa]

Most people usually go for the Lunar Pilot, I just thought this was a really good offering and mostly overlooked. Cheers

[@karlsenula9495]

@@PeterKotsa definitely overlooked and from a good brand - it was a great choice for the video.

[@Rick-ve5lx]

See if you can pick up a 96A-102.

[@casualsuede]

400 Australian dollars = $280 usd. A little overpriced by $50 to $80, which should be achievable, since many Bulova watches, don't sell at MSRP. I wonder if this Miyota movement is a copy of a Miyota 8200, which is not a great movement.

[@floydmorrison2025]

Just a heads up for folks who are interested: This watch is currently (September 29th) on sale for $217 @ worldofwatches.com. They also have the black dial w/ red/white text ion-plated case version for $247. I'm probably gonna grab one, but can't decide which I like better!

[@milesblack8485]

What a little beauty of a watch. Unfortunately it would be lost on my 8.5" wrist. Shame it doesn't come as a 42/44mm?

[@PeterKotsa]

8.5" is definitely too big a wrist for this. Maybe on a Bund strap

[@milesblack8485]

@@PeterKotsa Don't wish to appear thick Peter, but what is a 'Bund Strap?' - Review on various watch strap styles would be cool, if you haven't done one yet?

[@PeterKotsa]

@@milesblack8485 no pubs' here is a link, its easier to show you..old school 70's style leather under the watch as well as the attached strap...looks cool and makes a smaller watch look bigger on the wrist.. www.strapcode.com/collections/bund-watch-strap cheers

[@milesblack8485]

Peter Kotsa thanks. Know the strap very well, just not what it was called! We live and learn! 😀

[@zillsburyy1]

probably way better than hamilton

[@RickDeckardMemories]

A lesser copy of Hamilton? 🤔 Bulova is a company with legitimate horological history... currently producing watches with Miyota 8-series movements and too ashamed to indicate anywhere on the watch where it's made 😒

[@PeterKotsa]

Possibly !!!

[@johnwick860]

I will stick to the $495 Hamilton (Sapphire) instead of this $360 Bulova (Mineral)

[@khairulhelmihashim2510]

a matter of time before Chinese companies making copies of this watch, and selling below usd200, with upgraded crystal and WR.

[@tylerrohn6938]

Manuel wind would have been more fun

[@PeterKotsa]

And a thinner case as well. Not sure if it would have as big a market though as many newcomers to the hobby want either quartz or automatics