Product Review · Automatic Watches · #10 Ranked
Bulova Classic Surveyor 96A270
42mm open-aperture dress automatic with hacking · Reviewed by Drew · amazon.com live, Sept 24 2026
Why it scored a 75
The Bulova Classic Surveyor 96A270 sells for $290.95, well down from its $550.00 list, and brings an open-aperture dial, hacking seconds, luminous hands, a screw-back case and a 3-year warranty that scores 78. That is where the good news ends. Features is the lowest factor at 66 and Value sits at 70, because the spec sheet is thin for the money: a mineral crystal and just 30m water resistance. Satisfaction is 88 after our small-sample deduction on 155 ratings at 4.5 stars. It ranks #10, the last Fair Buy in the category.
What you're getting
- Reference 96A270, Classic collection, 3-hand
- Automatic with hacking seconds; caliber not named in the listing
- Open-aperture dial shows the movement at work
- 42mm silver-tone stainless steel case, screw-back
- Mineral crystal, luminous hands
- 30m water resistance
- 3-year Bulova limited warranty
- Limitation: 30m rating and mineral crystal at $290.95
ViperScore breakdown
At a glance
- 42mm steel, open aperture
- Hacking automatic
- Mineral crystal, 30m WR
- Price$290.95
- Tier42mm open-aperture dress automatic with hacking
- Category rank#10 of 10
Should you buy the Bulova Classic Surveyor 96A270?
The Bulova Classic Surveyor 96A270 is for someone who likes seeing the movement through the dial and wants a vintage-style watch from a heritage brand. At $290.95 it ranks #10 of 10 in our Automatic Watches category. For a similar budget, the Orient Kamasu RA-AA0003R adds sapphire and 200m at $262.22. For a dress watch with a more detailed dial, the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB41 costs $399.00.
Where it earns its score
- Open-aperture dial. A cut-out in the dial shows the movement working, a detail no other watch here offers.
- 3-year warranty. Bulova's 3-year limited warranty matches Seiko and triples Orient's 1 year.
- Hacking seconds. The seconds hand stops when you pull the crown, so you can set it to the second.
- Deep discount. $290.95 is 47 percent below the $550.00 list price.
What to know first
- Features is the lowest factor at 66. A mineral crystal and 30m rating at $290.95 compare poorly with the sapphire, 200m Orient Kamasu RA-AA0003R at $262.22.
- Not for water. 30m covers rain and hand-washing, not swimming.
- Thin rating base. 155 ratings is a small sample, and the listing does not name the movement caliber.
Our verdict
The Bulova Classic Surveyor 96A270 scores 75, a Fair Buy and #10 in our Automatic Watches category. Satisfaction (88) and Warranty (78) are its best factors, while Features (66) and Value (70) drag it down. Buy it at $290.95 if the open-aperture dial is what you want. For slightly less money, the Orient Kamasu RA-AA0003R (83) is the stronger all-rounder.
Orient Kamasu RA-AA0003R
Questions buyers ask
What is the Bulova 96A270?
It is a 42mm Classic Surveyor automatic with an open-aperture dial, hacking seconds and luminous hands.
Is the Bulova Surveyor 96A270 water resistant?
It is rated to 30m, which covers splashes, not swimming.
What warranty does the Bulova Surveyor have?
The listing states a 3-year limited warranty.
Ready to check it out?
Bulova Classic Surveyor 96A270 · ViperScore 75 · Fair Buy · $290.95
How the other 9 automatic watches scored
86Citizen Tsuyosa NJ0150-56X
83Orient Kamasu RA-AA0003R
83Seiko Prospex Turtle SRPE93
82Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Blue 40mm
81Invicta Pro Diver 8926OB
80Seiko Presage Cocktail Time SRPB41
79Seiko 5 Sports SRPD93
79Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium H70555533
76Orient Bambino V2 TAC00009N0
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