The Affordable ‘Other Moonwatch’ Just Became Even More of an EDC Darling

The Omega Speedmaster may have been the first watch to be worn on the moon, but it wasn’t the only one.

A Speedmaster-esque Bulova prototype chronograph was also worn on the lunar surface by astronaut Dave Scott during the Apollo 15 mission in 1971, and it remains the only confirmed non-Speedy worn on a celestial body. The watch remained largely a footnote until Scott’s watch sold at auction in 2015 and Bulova began selling a modern recreation called the Lunar Pilot that same year.

Over the past decade, the Bulova Lunar Pilot has become a signature model for Bulova, which has continued to release versions of its space watch in new sizes, colors and materials.

The latest is one of the most intriguing yet, as it utilizes a material most often seen in the EDC knife community.

Bulova

On the Road to Timascus

To celebrate its 150th anniversary this year, Bulova turned to Brazilian artist Thiago Rosinhole for help in designing a special-edition Lunar Pilot. Even if you don’t know Rosinhole’s name, you’ve probably seen his work: He’s the creator of Budii Toys, those pop art-infused sculptures that resemble a mouse in a space suit.

For the new Lunar Pilot, Rosinhole didn’t turn to space mice (OK, there is one embossed on the caseback), but rather to a design element that’s equally out of this world. The watch features a dial made of timascus, a material which has long been popular in pocket knives but has only recently begun to gain traction in the watch space.

Bulova

Like Damascus steel, Damascus titanium — for which “timascus” is a portmanteau — is created by forging together multiple layers of the metal to create a rippled pattern. In the case of timascus, the process often yields brilliant colors of purple, blue, orange, and more that seem to constantly change depending on the viewing angle.

In addition to the striking and uncommon dial treatment, Rosinhole contributed a few more alterations to the watch. The dial features Arabic numeral markers instead of baton indices, adding a bit more character to the watch face. The tachymeter scale also features larger, bolder markings that have been reoriented in a 360-degree layout.

The pushers and bezel are all executed in blue to match the blue notes of the dial, while the caseback features an embossment of a Budii Toy on the moon alongside references to both Bulova’s 150th anniversary and the date of the Apollo 15 moon landing.

Bulova

Lastly, we have the watch’s packaging, which consists of a special box with room for not just the watch but also a custom Budii Toy that’s included in your purchase. The six-inch figurine is wearing a U.S. astronaut suit and sports Rosinhole’s signature.

The watch’s other specs remain in line with your standard 43.5mm Lunar Pilot and include a sapphire crystal, a three-link stainless steel bracelet with quick-release spring bars and Bulova’s exclusive high-precision 262khz chronograph movement that’s accurate to within seconds per year and boasts a buttery smooth sweep.

Bulova

Luxury Lunar Pilot?

A big part of the appeal of the Lunar Pilot has always been its affordability compared to the Omega Moonwatch.

Today, the most basic Moonwatch from Omega has a starting price of $7,000 on a fabric strap — and that’s before any expected price increases that are anticipated in the coming days as a result of President Trump’s 39 percent tariffs on Switzerland, which are literally a new 39 percent tax on U.S. consumers purchasing Swiss watches. If the tariffs remain in place, the cheapest Speedmaster could cost a whopping $9,730.

The most basic Lunar Pilot, by contrast, starts at just $695 on a strap and is currently on sale for $556, making it a hell of a lot cheaper than anything made by Omega. The Lunar Pilot Timascus is still very affordable compared to a Speedmaster, but compared to other Lunar Pilots, it’s pretty expensive.

The watch retails for $1,650, which includes the Budii figure. That’s nearly double the price of the next most expensive Lunar Pilot currently on offer, the $895 blue panda, which, of course, does not include a Budii figure. If you’re not into Budii art and just like the look of the timascus dial, you’re out of luck, as you can’t get one without the other.

The Bulova Lunar Pilot Timascus is limited to 5,500 pieces and is available now.

Bulova

Bulova Lunar Pilot Timascus

Specs

Case Size	43.5mm
Movement	Bulova Cal. NP20 quartz chronograph
Water Resistance	50m

• $1,650 at Bulova

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