Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph 96B251 Box, Papers & Accessories
Ref: 96B251

Specification

Points of Mention

This watch is sold with its original box, paperwork, and accessories. The watch comes paired with its original black leather strap. The watch is from 2018 and is in worn condition, but overall very good as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

The Watch

It was on August 2nd 1971 when Bulova would be walking on the Moon. But you say I thought Omega Speedmaster was the only NASA  Approved Watch' and you'd be right. Still, under NASA’s own rules and regulations, many of the timing instruments were made by Bulova. The 46 missions and Lunar landings all used them. Therefore, Bulova presented Commander Scott of Apollo 15 a Bulova prototype that met all the NASA requirements and passed the g force tests. But was overshadowed by the Omega as the first choice of Time device, without telling anyone he brought it on board with him. 

“Huston we have a problem.”

As luck would have it, his Speedy crystal popped out, so he slipped on his Bulova, and he became the first man to use an unauthorised watch while driving the Moon Buggy on the lunar surface. 

He made history this day. Commander Scott in 2015 decided he would put up for Auction his beloved Prototype where it reached an incredible record-breaking $1.3 million. In response to this Bulova chose to make a Special Edition Lunar Pilot Chronograph. The Specifications were in keeping with the original case design alongside the dial and chronograph pushers but with a modern movement.

A sandblasted 45mm Stainless Steel case with an impressive wrist presence. The polished bezel holds the flat thick Anti-Reflective Sapphire crystal. A Tachymeter chapter ring sits above the black dial.

Bulova has created a multidimensional dial keeping the indices simple and the minute track easy to read with the large sweeping chronograph seconds hand. The sub-dials at 9 o’clock read the minutes up to 60mins total, the 3 o’clock spins 10th of a second, to save battery this stops after 30 seconds but when you press the top pusher it will read the seconds as if it has been spinning all the time, a date window sits at 4 o’clock and finishing the compliment off at 6 o’clock the 60 seconds hand ticks at two ticks per second. To reset the chronograph, you press the bottom pusher, and the hands sweep back into position. The pushers have a tactile click which is very satisfying.

Deciding not to use the manual wind Universal Genève movement of the original but to use their highly accurate UHF 262 kHz quartz movement which gives the chronograph hand its distinctive sweep at eight ticks per second, while the 60sec sub-dial ticks at two ticks per second.

Unlike the standard quartz movement operates at 32748 kHz with an accuracy of a few seconds a month. The Bulova operates at 262 kHz which has an accuracy of a few seconds a year. Comes with a Velcro strap in the same form as used by the Astronauts, it has the details of its mission and additional Strap and accessories included in the box of this particular Lunar Pilot.

Personal Note

Not just a watch for those who want a more affordable "Speedmaster" as some say, this is a watch with genuine history and heritage too and deserving of its design and place in watch history. Definitely research this incredible story and decide for yourself!