The Sophistication Of Bulova’s Sutton Skeletonized Automatic Collection

The Sophistication Of Bulova’s Sutton Skeletonized Automatic Collection

This eye-catching dress watch has been flying under the radar for far too long.

By Rhonda Riche
Editor-At-Large

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the diversity of the watch enthusiast community. There are those who focus their collection on only certain brands, while others zero in on specific complications. There are others still who store their watches in walk-in bank vaults, while there are others who rarely buy collection pieces due to usually only having $1,000 in their bank accounts. No matter the collector type, they are all driven by the same passion for horological excellence.
 

Another common denominator is the joy of discovery. This brings us to our appreciation for the Bulova Sutton. A skeletonized automatic, the Bulova Sutton is a welcome and affordable addition to any watch wardrobe. It also checks off all the boxes for Bulova’s fans and design aficionados.

Easy Elegance

Bulova, if course, is one of the most recognizable watch brands in the land. Already this year, we’ve seen the highly anticipated launches of the Devil Diver Oceanographer Snorkel, The Frank Sinatra Collection (HERE), and the A-15 Pilot Watch (HERE).

But Bulova’s Sutton collection of distinguished dress watches is also worthy of some attention.
 

This family of super-stylish designs is distinguished by its stately circular case shape and its use of a two-tone finish. It’s also a tightly edited collection with fewer than twenty models currently listed on the Bulova’s site.

Each piece in the Sutton collection has a stainless steel case. Depending on the model, the brand has extra high-end touches such as sapphire or mineral crystals, lustrous faces, diamonds, and skeletonized dials.
 

And it’s the skeletonized editions that represent the pinnacle of the Sutton family. The face is wonderfully balanced, with the exposed asymmetry of the gears and bridges, well-framed by the three-hand display and ringed by the hour markers. The effect is given even greater depth by the use of color. The two latest additions to the collection come in brushed yellow gold with shiny black accents. And a new rose gold model uses silver and blue to create a visual treat.
 

Bone Collector

Of course, there is no point in skeletonizing a dial if the movement isn’t worth showing off.

Inside the 43mm case, the watch is powered by a 21-jewel Miyota 8N24 Automatic Skeletonized Movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
 

The mechanism is not overly embellished, but its intricate architecture is still a pleasure to observe through the sophisticated flat mineral crystal and full exhibition dial and caseback.

Skeleton dials always attract a lot of attention, but these new Suttons feel so light and comfortable on the wrist that you might forget you are wearing one until someone stops you to compliment you on it. This is because of the streamlined silhouette of the case, as well as the choice of bracelets.
 

The 97A161 comes with a dark blue leather strap with a three-piece buckle. And the 97A162 has a no-pinch integrated bracelet with a push-button deployant buckle.
 

And for such graceful openwork watches, these Bulova Suttons are a great value proposition for any collector. Printing for the 97A161 is $550, while the 97A162 is $650. Learn more on Bulova's website
 

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)

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