The Bulova Lunar Pilot | family history
On August 1, 1971, astronaut Dave Scott stood on the surface of the Moon and used a Bulova chronograph strapped to his spacesuit wrist after his Omega Speedmaster crystal cracked during EVA. That watch, a custom Bulova built for NASA, is documented, verified, and significant. The Lunar Pilot Chronograph is Bulova's 2019 reissue of that design.
Bulova's reissue of the exact chronograph Dave Scott wore during the Apollo 15 moonwalk in 1971, one of only two watches certified for NASA use. The 2019 Archive Series uses a Swiss Sellita high-beat movement, delivering outstanding accuracy at a fraction of comparable Swiss pricing.
1971 · The Apollo 15 Bulova
NASA held a contractual relationship with Omega, but astronauts were permitted personal backup timepieces. Dave Scott's personal Bulova was a custom chronograph with a 24-hour scale and a high-shock case modified for spacesuit wear. When his Omega's acrylic crystal cracked during the lunar surface traverse, Scott used the Bulova. The watch sold at auction in 2015 for $1.625 million.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
2019 · The Lunar Pilot Chronograph reissue
Bulova's 2019 Lunar Pilot Chronograph reproduces the original's case geometry, dial layout, and 24-hour scale in a modern 45mm case. The movement is Bulova's 262kHz high-frequency quartz chronograph, accurate to seconds per year. This is not a mechanical watch; Grail Atlas notes it as a historically significant collector piece rather than a mechanical acquisition.
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What to consider before buying a Bulova Lunar Pilot.
- Why buy a quartz chronograph for this price? The Lunar Pilot is not bought for its movement. It is bought for the documented historical event it commemorates. The 262kHz quartz is accurate and the build quality is appropriate for Bulova's current positioning. If you want a mechanical chronograph at this price, this is not the watch. If you want the Apollo 15 connection, there is no mechanical alternative.
- Is the historical claim legitimate? Yes. Dave Scott's Bulova is documented in NASA records, independently verified, and publicly auctioned. Bulova's connection to the Apollo program is real, not manufactured for marketing purposes. This is a genuine piece of space-exploration history.
Related families: Omega Speedmaster · Bulova Marine Star