Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Bulova Surveyor Automatic vs Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

Bulova's dress watch meets Rolex's timepiece

Quick Verdict

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic ($250–$500) offers Miyota Automatic precision in the tier below the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) ($25,000+). The Surveyor Automatic measures 39mm and is rated 30m (3 ATM). The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

BulovaSurveyor Automatic$250–$500 Check price RolexDay-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)$25,000+ Check price

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Bulova

Surveyor Automatic

$250–$500

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Rolex

Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

$25,000+

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Specifications Compared

Feature	Bulova Surveyor Automatic	Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)
Price	$250–$500	$25,000+
Case Size	39mm	36mm
Movement	Automatic Miyota 8215	Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155
Caliber Type	Miyota Automatic	Rolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer
Power Reserve	42 Hours	About 48 hours
Water Resistance	30m (3 ATM)	100m (10 ATM)
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal	Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops
Case Material	Stainless Steel	18k yellow gold
Origin	Made in Japan (Movement)	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Bulova's design language vs Rolex's approach

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic features a Stainless Steel case at 39mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) offers 18k yellow gold construction at 36mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Rolex

Automatic Miyota 8215 vs Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155

The Surveyor Automatic runs the Automatic Miyota 8215 (Miyota Automatic, 42 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) uses the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155 (Rolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer, About 48 hours reserve) at standard. The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

39mm vs 36mm — different wrist presence

At 39mm, the Surveyor Automatic has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) at 36mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Bulova

Bulova sits in the lower tier

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic sits at $250–$500 and the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the Surveyor Automatic uses Sapphire Crystal with 42 Hours, against Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops and About 48 hours on the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Rolex

30m (3 ATM) vs 100m (10 ATM)

The Surveyor Automatic is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) handles 100m (10 ATM). The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Bulova

Surveyor Automatic

Choose the Bulova Surveyor Automatic if you prioritize Miyota Automatic engineering, Made in Japan (Movement) craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) water resistance. At $250–$500, it delivers Automatic Miyota 8215 with 42 Hours power reserve.

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Rolex

Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial)

Choose the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) if you value Rolex 3155, in-house automatic, chronometer technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 36mm proportions. At $25,000+, the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 3155 with About 48 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic and Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Bulova bringing Made in Japan (Movement) tradition while Rolex delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) is rated 100 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Bulova Surveyor Automatic sits a band lower ($250–$500 against $25,000+), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $250–$500. However, the Rolex Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Surveyor Automatic at 39mm with 30m (3 ATM) water resistance handles everyday situations. The Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) at 36mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The Surveyor Automatic uses Sapphire Crystal while the Day-Date 18238 (18k yellow gold, blue diamond dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.