Bulova’s Iconic Surfboard Chronograph Gets a Re-Issue at Multiple Price Points for Any Budget

Bulova has announced a reintroduction of watch design that has become a cult classic in recent years, the Chronograph A, better known to vintage watch enthusiasts as the Surfboard. The nickname comes from the oval circling the two subdials, creating a shape that resembles a surfboard, and calls to mind the sporty sense of adventure that any brand would want their chronograph to embody. It’s a design that collectors still have a very obvious interest in (we wrote about it back in 2014 right here), so Bulova bringing it back is a no-brainer, and they’re doing it in a way that will please both serious collectors and more casual watch fans who are after something fun and nicely made geared toward the summer months. Let’s take a closer look.

Bulova Chronograph A “Surfboard” 

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Beige/blue, Beige/black, Blue/white
• Dimensions: 38.5 x 16.7mm (Mechanical), 40.5 x 14.5mm (Quartz)
• Crystal: Sapphire     
• Water Resistance: 200 meters
• Crown: Screw down             
• Movement: Sellita Caliber SW-510 (Mechanical), Miyota Caliber 6S21-00A (Quartz)
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet (Mechanical), Silicone strap (Quartz)
• Price: $695 (Quartz)
• Price: $2,950 (Mechanical)
• Reference Number: n/a
• Expected Release: Quartz available now, mechanical delivers in April  

The new Chronograph A collection is actually made up of two distinct releases. First, we have a limited edition version in a boxed set that is essentially a reproduction of the original Surfboard, with a beige dial, blue subdials, and a stainless steel bracelet. This version is powered by manually wound Sellita Caliber SW-510 chronograph movement, and comes in 70s styled box complete with a floral pattern. It’s groovy, and limited to just 350 examples. Bulova has done a nice job here of honoring the original design in a fun way that die hard fans will surely snap up quickly. 

If you just like the way the watch looks, but aren’t in a position to pony up the $2,950 Bulova is asking for the limited edition set, they’re also releasing a much more accessible version with a quartz movement, and some additional variety when it comes to dial colors. At a suggested retail price of $695, you can choose a quartz Chronograph A in black and red, orange and blue, or blue and red colorways. These watches come on silicone straps and run on a Miyota Caliber 6S21-00A quartz chronograph movement. 

All of the new quartz Surfboards have a 40mm stainless steel cushion case, while the mechanical is 38mm. It’s a pretty accurate facsimile of the original case design, but with noticeably more rounded lugs than the vintage version. Importantly, all watches in the Chronograph A collection are water resistant to 200 meters, meaning if you intend to wear the Surfboard on your surfboard, you won’t have anything to worry about in terms of water ingress. 

Watches in the Chronograph A collection can be purchased now on the Bulova website. The quartz versions are available now, and the limited edition box set can be pre-ordered with delivery expected in April. Bulova