Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated

Bulova Surveyor Automatic vs Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Bulova's dress watch meets Ulysse Nardin's chronograph

Quick Verdict

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic ($250–$500) offers Miyota Automatic precision in the tier below the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) ($25,000+). The Surveyor Automatic measures 39mm and is rated 30m (3 ATM). The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 200m (20 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional watches for their respective tiers.

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Bulova Surveyor Automatic

Bulova

Surveyor Automatic

$250–$500

Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

$25,000+

Specifications Compared

FeatureBulova Surveyor AutomaticUlysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)
Price$250–$500$25,000+
Case Size39mm43mm
MovementAutomatic Miyota 8215Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)
Caliber TypeMiyota AutomaticUN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified
Power Reserve42 HoursAbout 60 hours, indicator at 12
Water Resistance30m (3 ATM)200m (20 ATM)
CrystalSapphire CrystalSapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback
Case MaterialStainless Steel18k rose gold, fluted bezel
OriginMade in Japan (Movement)Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

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Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Bulova's design language vs Ulysse Nardin's approach

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic features a Stainless Steel case at 39mm with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers 18k rose gold, fluted bezel construction at 43mm with Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

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Movement & Performance

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

Automatic Miyota 8215 vs Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house)

The Surveyor Automatic runs the Automatic Miyota 8215 (Miyota Automatic, 42 Hours power reserve) at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) frequency. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) uses the Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house) (UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified, About 60 hours, indicator at 12 reserve) at standard. The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) offers a longer power reserve.

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Wearability & Fit

Edge: Bulova

39mm vs 43mm — different wrist presence

At 39mm, the Surveyor Automatic wears more compactly on smaller wrists compared to the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM).

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Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Bulova

Bulova sits in the lower tier

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic sits at $250–$500 and the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at $25,000+. On the specs that outlast any price: the Surveyor Automatic uses Sapphire Crystal with 42 Hours, against Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback and About 60 hours, indicator at 12 on the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

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Water Resistance

Edge: Ulysse Nardin

30m (3 ATM) vs 200m (20 ATM)

The Surveyor Automatic is rated to 30m (3 ATM) while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) handles 200m (20 ATM). The Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) 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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Ulysse Nardin

Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold)

Choose the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) if you value UN-118, DIAMonSIL escapement, silicon balance spring, COSC-certified technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 43mm proportions. At $25,000+, the Automatic, Ulysse Nardin UN-118 (in-house) with About 60 hours, indicator at 12 power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Bulova Surveyor Automatic and Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) represent two distinct approaches to fine watchmaking — the Bulova bringing Made in Japan (Movement) tradition while Ulysse Nardin delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

For water, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) is rated 200 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 Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) 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 Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) at 43mm with 200m (20 ATM) is similarly capable. The Surveyor Automatic uses Sapphire Crystal while the Marine Chronometer Manufacture 43mm (18k rose gold) uses Sapphire Crystal, sapphire caseback.

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.