Jewellery & Watch News
Often nicknamed “the other moon watch”, the iconic Bulova Lunar Pilot celebrates 50 years since it first journeyed to the moon on the wrist of Apollo 15’s mission commander David Scott. Now, the design returns for 2021 but with a refreshing cosmic-inspired titanium and gold-coloured aesthetic. Let us introduce you to the new Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary Limited Edition…
History of the Bulova Lunar Pilot
Before we go into detail about the new Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary Limited Edition watch, we first need to take you back half a century, to when Bulova made history in space exploration. Since their founding in 1875, the American watch manufacturer have played a major part in the development of space technology. They first partnered up with NASA during the 1950’s and were asked to incorporate some of their innovative Accutron technology into the equipment being used for the space program. In total, their technology was used in 46 US space program missions, but their most significant contribution was that of the Bulova Lunar Pilot watch.
If you know anything about luxury watches, then you’ve probably already heard that the Bulova Lunar Pilot was not the first watch to make its way to the surface of the moon. That title goes to the Omega Speedmaster which was worn by NASA Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the Apollo 11 mission, the very one that landed humans on the moon for the first time. What many don’t know however, was that the Omega Speedmaster worn by Aldrin was in fact government property and not a personally-owned timepiece. Two years later, and Apollo 15’s mission commander David Scott became the seventh man to walk on the moon and was also provided with another Omega Speedmaster. Nevertheless, it seems the crystal on the Omega popped off sometime during the mission and so instead, he went back to wearing his own personal Bulova Lunar Pilot watch (pictured above). This allowed the iconic design to become one of just a few to make it to the moon.
Not only that, but the Bulova Lunar Pilot continued to make history on Dave Scott’s wrist as he became the first astronaut to drive the Lunar Rover and to assume the Galileo test where he dropped a hammer and a feather at the same time. To this day, the Bulova Lunar Pilot remains the only personally owned watch to make it on the surface of the moon. Because of this, Scott was allowed to sell his watch and back in 2015, he did just that making a whopping $1.6 million in the process!
The New Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary Limited Edition
You’ll be pleased to hear that the price tag for the new Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary Limited Edition watch isn’t anywhere close to $1.6 million! In fact, the design is incredibly affordable, retailing at £795 despite its limited edition status of only 500 pieces – most of which we believe have now sold out. The contemporary design has been immensely popular since it’s release, as it beautifully retains all the classic characteristics of its moon-landing predecessor but with a modern twist made of titanium and gold-coating.
The cushion-shaped case is reserved, measuring to 45mm in diameter and engineered from grade 5 titanium which offers an incredibly lightweight and scratch resistant finish. The matte finish of the titanium is then paired with stunning gold-coloured accents which can be spotted on the crown and pushers and on the smooth fixed bezel. The case back is also gold-toned and to celebrate the anniversary, is wonderfully decorated with an engraving of an astronaut. Further gold embellishments can also be found on the Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary watch’s dial on the three subsidiary counters and on the central chronograph seconds hand.
The backdrop of the dial is finished in a smooth anthracite finish which blends in nicely with the case but offers easy legibility of the contrasting chronograph complications at the centre. On the counter at 6’clock, the reference to 262 kHz refers to the use of Bulova’s proprietary high-performance quartz movement, previously known as UHF or Ultra-High Frequency movement. The quartz calibre promises an outstanding accuracy of 10 seconds of variation a year and ensures the rewards the smooth sweep of the chronograph seconds hand. The Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary Limited Edition is finished by a grey leather NATO-style strap and a minimalistic titanium pin buckle.
If you’d like to learn more about the Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary watch and get your hands on your own 500 piece limited edition, head over to the C W Sellors website here or get in touch with our team by calling 01335 453453.
Specifications: Bulova Lunar Pilot 50th Anniversary Limited Edition (98A285)
- Case Size: 45mm
- Case Material: Grade 5 titanium with gold-toned case back, bezel, push pieces, crown
- Bezel: Fixed with tachymeter scale
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Non-screw locked
- Case Back: Closed with special engraving
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: Proprietary UHF (ultra-high frequency) quartz calibre – 262 Hz
- Functions: Hours, minutes, continuous seconds, chronograph
- Accuracy: -/+ 10 seconds per year
- Dial: Anthracite grey with gold hardware and Superluminova markers
- Strap: Grey leather NATO-syle
- Buckle: Pin
- RRP: £795
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces
