The Affordable “Other Moonwatch” Launches Its Best Version Yet

Omega’s Speedmaster is far from the only watch with NASA bona fides, and the most affordable “Moonwatch” has long been the Lunar Pilot from Bulova.

Based on a Bulova prototype worn on the lunar surface by Astronaut Dave Scott during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, the Lunar Pilot has a near-equal claim to the title, and the original design happens to sport a similar monochromatic look to the Speedy.

Bulova

Since the modern Lunar Pilot’s launch a decade ago, its affordability, respectable build and genuine history have made Bulova’s chronograph a hit among enthusiasts and collectors. But there is one lingering issue the brand hasn’t addressed until now: its size.

The Lunar Pilot has finally received a long-awaited downsizing to a more wearable and contemporary 41mm case size. It makes the storied design more accommodating for daily wear.

It’s a significant change from 2015’s original 45mm reissue, and 2.5mm smaller than Bulova’s current collection.

Bulova

As if the accommodating new case dimensions weren’t enough, Bulova introduces them in a limited-edition reference, decorated with a blacked-out case and dial befitting its “Black Hole” title.

Bulova’s serendipitous visit to the lunar surface is commemorated by an engraving on the caseback that also displays the watch’s title and each individual series number.

Crossing the event horizon

Even for those content with the multitude of 43.5mm and 45mm Lunar Pilot variations produced over the past decade, the Black Hole color scheme is the coolest iteration yet.

The 41mm stainless steel case and three-link steel bracelet have a black PVD coating with a sandblasted texture.

Bulova

The bracelet has quick-release pins and fastens with a hidden butterfly clasp. Bulova’s tuning fork logo, adopted from its Accutron sub-brand, is engraved at the clasp.

Space time

The dial plate is coated with Musou black paint, which claims to absorb 99.4 percent of light. It creates a surprisingly strong contrast with the sandblasted gray hands and applied hour markers, each filled with gray Super-LumiNova.

Aside from its color and a scaled-down size, the dial arrangement is unchanged. It is encircled by a tachymeter scale on the rehaut, and features a small seconds counter at 6:00 and a 60-minute totalizer at 9:00.

Bulova

One area where the Lunar Pilot has outperformed the Speedtimer since its 2015 revival is in accuracy. It is powered by one of Bulova’s proprietary High-Performance Quartz movements, the Caliber NP20, which vibrates eight times faster than a standard quartz.

The time is accurate to within one minute per year, and the chronograph measures down to 1/20th of a second. The subdial at 3:00 springs into place when the chronograph is stopped, with the 10-unit scale representing tenths of a second.

Availability and pricing

Of course, the Lunar Pilot’s key feature of affordability is still present, sort of. The Black Hole debuts at $1,600, which is more than double what older references are routinely priced. However, the black PVD coating and Musou black paint account for the bulk of that increase.

Bulova

The value really kicks in with the special-edition box set, which includes a black travel roll and a matching desk clock. It’s not explicitly stated, but the clock has a fourth, smaller hand, which I’m pretty sure indicates an alarm function.

Bulova

Bulova Lunar Pilot Black Hole

Specs

Case Size	41mm
Movement	Bulova Caliber NP20 high-performance-quartz
Water Resistance	100m

• $1,650 at Bulova

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